North American Asian Elephant Population 2024

[E Maximus]

Do you know the enviroment they live in ? Is there enough space ? Thai would not be the first Bull to mount his young Daughters.

Their facility is also large enough to allow for herd management so that Thai is kept separate when any of his daughters are cycling. They also monitor many of their cows through weekly blood draws because the risk of EEHV within the herd is so high. This allows them to track their female hormones as well, to know when they're going to cycle.

 

[Bozie's Friend]

Has it been ruled out that Houston could expand its elephant facility?

I'm sure the zoo doesn't want to be too limited to Asian elephants, which are expensive, but it does seem like they could add space where the Okapis, Bongos, Blue Duiker, Tortoise, and Zebra (which used to be with the giraffes once already) currently are. Obviously not the whole space, but they could easily expand it that direction more, if they wanted to increase their Asian Elephant capacity.

They could also shift the reptile house somewhere and expand that way, if they wanted to up their capacity. It does seem like reptiles and snakes are being found in other areas of the zoo now, with more recent additions.

It's definitely something that the zoo needs to be thinking about if they're not looking to do any female transfers. Which as already has been said, a transfer will be much more difficult if Shanti and Joy have calves, do they move "the T-line" in that case? Splitting an established herd like this is difficult - without breeding going on.

 

[E Maximus]

Has it been ruled out that Houston could expand its elephant facility?

I'm sure the zoo doesn't want to be too limited to Asian elephants, which are expensive, but it does seem like they could add space where the Okapis, Bongos, Blue Duiker, Tortoise, and Zebra (which used to be with the giraffes once already) currently are. Obviously not the whole space, but they could easily expand it that direction more, if they wanted to increase their Asian Elephant capacity.

They could also shift the reptile house somewhere and expand that way, if they wanted to up their capacity. It does seem like reptiles and snakes are being found in other areas of the zoo now, with more recent additions.

It's definitely something that the zoo needs to be thinking about if they're not looking to do any female transfers. Which as already has been said, a transfer will be much more difficult if Shanti and Joy have calves, do they move "the T-line" in that case? Splitting an established herd like this is difficult - without breeding going on.

If you look at their strategic/master plan, there is an expanded elephant exhibit included in it with what looks like another elephant house/building as seen in the screenshot below.

 

[Bozie's Friend]

If you look at their strategic/master plan, there is an expanded elephant exhibit included in it with what looks like another elephant house/building as seen in the screenshot below.
View attachment 704683

Thank you! So bye-bye reptile house it is.

Now that I think about it, I think I remembering seeing this before, but I'm not local and parenthood takes its toll, so the various (nationwide) zoo plans get mixed up in my mind.

This does appear to rather lock in the elephant habitat, but that's understandable at this point, unless they moved the education center. That's possible too down the road, I suppose, but I think it'll be big enough for some time if they go forward with this. Given the growing herd, their hands are being pressed a bit.

 

[ZCChip]

It’s interesting to me that zoos are focusing on fewer species and more space for there specialties than before which means phasing out certain species and focusing on others.

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

I recently have been doing quite some digging into the non AZA elephant population and have a few updates to share:

Endangered Ark Foundation is currently home to 24 elephants not 16, 2 of which are currently touring with the Carson and Barnes Circus.

Vicky and Cindy have been retired for a couple years now from the Carden International Circus at Wilstem Wildlife & Park Safari in Paoli, Indiana. Unsure which elephants are currently touring with the circus though.

Maya is the only calf born after Imke at African Lion Safari and if others were born they have since passed. Her mother has been confirmed to be one of Natasha's daughters but it has not been said which one.

Roxy at Two Tails Ranch passed away otherwise the list is correct for that facility.

The only elephants left at the Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation are a few older females that were unable to be transported due to their age. Otherwise everyone has been moved to White Oak Conservation Center including Vance. Besides the births of Tikka, Masala, Sammy, and Kumari, White Oak has also had a couple calves that have passed away.

 

[Jambo]

Maya is the only calf born after Imke at African Lion Safari and if others were born they have since passed. Her mother has been confirmed to be one of Natasha's daughters but it has not been said which one.

In that case, the mother would have to be Opal then, unless ALS have bred Nellie with her father.

 

[Mr.Ivory]

I recently have been doing quite some digging into the non AZA elephant population and have a few updates to share:

Endangered Ark Foundation is currently home to 24 elephants not 16, 2 of which are currently touring with the Carson and Barnes Circus.

Vicky and Cindy have been retired for a couple years now from the Carden International Circus at Wilstem Wildlife & Park Safari in Paoli, Indiana. Unsure which elephants are currently touring with the circus though.

Maya is the only calf born after Imke at African Lion Safari and if others were born they have since passed. Her mother has been confirmed to be one of Natasha's daughters but it has not been said which one.

Roxy at Two Tails Ranch passed away otherwise the list is correct for that facility.

The only elephants left at the Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation are a few older females that were unable to be transported due to their age. Otherwise everyone has been moved to White Oak Conservation Center including Vance. Besides the births of Tikka, Masala, Sammy, and Kumari, White Oak has also had a couple calves that have passed away.

Do you know how the names of the other 8 elephants currently at Endangered ark, and the amount of calves born at White oak?

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

According to @Jonathan Petersson in the Cincinnati Zoo News Thread, Sabu's return to Cincy was delayed due to logistics and he recently went into musth causing the move to take a little bit longer. He should return there later this year. Fingers crossed that he has successfully bred Phoebe, Sunny, or Rudy, or two, or even all three of them!

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

In that case, the mother would have to be Opal then, unless ALS have bred Nellie with her father.

I highly doubt Charlie Grey would breed Nellie and Johnson together unless it was an accident just to put that out there. It is either Opal or Emily as both had calves in 2021 with one of them having passed away. I have heard of some African Lion staff members or volunteers refer to Emily as one of Natasha's daughters accidently but commonly enough that it is noticeable so I would not rule out her either.

Do you know how the names of the other 8 elephants currently at Endangered ark, and the amount of calves born at White oak?

I am unsure the amount of elephant calves White Oak has had over the last couple years unfortunately. As for the animals missing a know a few of them but still have a couple loose ends. Viola and Isa are the two currently on tour with Carson & Barnes. The ones missing from the list at the beginning of the thread are that I know of are: Cameron Lee, Dori Marie, Suzy, Delrita, Obert, Rosie, Margaret, Tommy, Val, Alta, Traci, Libby, Lisa, Lillie, Whimpy, Zola, Isa, Becky, Viola, Kelly, Isla, Bunnie, and Lulu but I am still missing a couple.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

am unsure the amount of elephant calves White Oak has had over the last couple years unfortunately.

White Oak has had at least 4 calves born as of 2023.
0.2 Tika and Masala in 2022. 0.1 Kumari and 1.0 Sammy in 2023.
I do not know whether any have been born this year though but I imagine there have been or will be.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

The only elephants left at the Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation are a few older females that were unable to be transported due to their age.

Apologies for not putting this and my previous message into one, but do you know which females remain? Additionally, do you know if the males are being kept together as bachelor grouping at White Oak?

 

[E Maximus]

Apologies for not putting this and my previous message into one, but do you know which females remain? Additionally, do you know if the males are being kept together as bachelor grouping at White Oak?

Most of them are kept as a bachelor grouping unless being used for breeding.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

52 year old Carol at Myakka Elephant ranch passed away on May 17th.

Myakka Elephant Ranch on Instagram: "Dear Myakka Elephant Ranch Friends and Supporters, We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Carol recently passed away at 52 years old."

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

I spoke to a docent at Columbus today and he confirmed with me that Sabu has indeed bred with all three females! Fingers crossed we see three calves on the ground next year!

 

[E Maximus]

Connie and Hank from Columbus will move to a new AZA zoo this summer. They also confirmed the will be welcoming breeding “bulls” in the future raja from St. Louis and we can assume Johnson from ALS.

Longtime Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Residents, Elephants Hank and Connie, to Embark on New Adventure Together | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

 

[Yassa]

Not unexpected, but the announcement is surely misleading - Hank and Connie are surely sent to a zoo that acts as a retirement home because Hank is not showing any breeding behavoir, but the press release sounds as if he moves to another zoo to sire more calves. Is it so difficult to be honest?!

Another thing, they could spare one transfer if Sabu just stayed at Columbus and Raja moved to Cinci instead. It makes no sense to move both bulls (except that Cinci owns Sabu and wants him back because he is easy to work with and beloved by everyone, which is not a good enough reason imo).

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Not unexpected, but the announcement is surely misleading - Hank and Connie are surely sent to a zoo that acts as a retirement home because Hank is not showing any breeding behavoir, but the press release sounds as if he moves to another zoo to sire more calves. Is it so difficult to be honest?!

Another thing, they could spare one transfer if Sabu just stayed at Columbus and Raja moved to Cinci instead. It makes no sense to move both bulls (except that Cinci owns Sabu and wants him back because he is easy to work with and beloved by everyone, which is not a good enough reason imo).

Hank can still be utilized for breeding via AI, which is surely what the zoo means by him still being able to sire calves at his new home.

 

[E Maximus]

Not unexpected, but the announcement is surely misleading - Hank and Connie are surely sent to a zoo that acts as a retirement home because Hank is not showing any breeding behavoir, but the press release sounds as if he moves to another zoo to sire more calves. Is it so difficult to be honest?!

Another thing, they could spare one transfer if Sabu just stayed at Columbus and Raja moved to Cinci instead. It makes no sense to move both bulls (except that Cinci owns Sabu and wants him back because he is easy to work with and beloved by everyone, which is not a good enough reason imo).

I honestly wouldn’t be suprised if they did end up somewhere for Hank to be used as an AI donor but honestly can’t think of anywhere that could handle him annd Connie except for Tulsa.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Connie and Hank from Columbus will move to a new AZA zoo this summer. They also confirmed the will be welcoming breeding “bulls” in the future raja from St. Louis and we can assume Johnson from ALS.

Longtime Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Residents, Elephants Hank and Connie, to Embark on New Adventure Together | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

While definitely a tough decision for Columbus' team, this move is undoubtedly the right one imo. Columbus doesn't have the advantage that other facilities do when it comes to space. It simply wouldn't be possible for them to grow their herd and tackle new social groups (IE Frankie as he matures, Johnson, etc.) with two non-breeding individuals that are incompatible with the rest of the herd. This move comes at the perfect time as moving Connie only will get harder as she ages, and Columbus will have much needed breathing room. Their new smaller outdoor yard will likely be completed before Raja's arrival and they will not have to deal with rotating Connie and Hank into that space as well.