If she isn't already pregnant from her time with Sabu (who she did warm up to eventually and did breed with), then I would think Johnson would be the super bull to get the job done! Doubtlessly this was Columbus' plan, Johnson being the back-up to try and get the females to have calves asap.
What a gorgeous complex. While my fingers are crossed for some more added vegetation inside the actual elephant yards, the sheer size of it all plus the various viewing opportunities is nothing short of lovely.
It's really exciting seeing facilies commit to such world-class exhibits for elephants. Hopefully any new exhibits we see going forward follow this same gorgeous example. If all goes well, Cincinnati will have a group of seven before long that will have the capacity to grow to an impressive size.
My only issue with the complex is how barren it is visually, but the sand has a practical use that I can get behind. Keepers can rearrange the terrain often and the sand has hidden feeders that encourage the elephants to move and forage for feeding, which isn't a terribly common feature in zoos. I'd take a large, practical and barren exhibit over a small and grassy one!
Also interesting to see the younger boys not present; which isn't surprising considering their ages now (seven and six).
From what was stated in the Cinci news thread, SheRa/Yasmin and Anak do not react well to Sabu being around when their calves are with them. He's only able to share space (and thus breed with) the cows when they're not present. They've been rotating between Sabu + cows, Sabu + the boys, boys by themselves and just Sabu and Jati!
They are and will be moved over soon (following the opening of the new complex).
It's an interesting case - despite their relation they have never met each other before. She's Aunty to Yasmin and therefore great aunty to Anak, Kabir and Sanjay. It'll be intriguing to see how well she gets along with them when introduced.
The zoo advertised this fact heavily when the Dublin herd first arrived, and I imagine this will be the case again once Schottzie and Mai Thai are moved over. Hopefully neither of the two should have issues integrating. Mai Thai is a submissive cow already and Schottzie isn't a difficult cow. It was Jati who was the issue and she's thriving in the new set-up!
Here is the final product of the outdoor exhibit and visitors' viewing areas.
I must say that the exhibit looks loads nicer from eye level then it does above. The horticulture does wonders for filling the space and it really gives the illusion that guests are looking into a clearing by a river.
Both indoor viewing areas are open and the second floor of of the building was open for members during the early look which also has viewing into it. I will upload some photos of the complex to the gallery shortly.
