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Elephant Contraception

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by ShowMeElephants, 22 Jan 2011.

  1. ShowMeElephants

    ShowMeElephants Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    According to a news article published yesterday in California, the San Diego Zoo's female elephants "are all on contraception. The advanced age could cause complications during a pregnancy, so the decision was made to put them on contraception."

    It was announced in December 2010 that Tina and Jewel, new residents to the Los Angeles Zoo, were also put on contraception if they are later to mix with the zoo's young male Asian elephant, Billy.

    Does anyone have more information regarding other elephants in American (or world) zoos that are also on contraception to prevent births?

    >> "Sometimes, zoos can have too much of a good thing" by Michael Stetz, SignOnSanDeigo.com, 2011-01-20
    >> Elephant Contraception at ShowMeElephants
     
  2. Dallaspachyderm

    Dallaspachyderm Well-Known Member

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    Very interesting, I would guess the females at the Caldwell zoo are on them too... Just a guess though. And possibly the females at SIXFLAGS in Jackson, Newersey
     
  3. ShowMeElephants

    ShowMeElephants Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Do you have information supporting this, or is it based on a lack of successful breeding at either location?
     
  4. Dallaspachyderm

    Dallaspachyderm Well-Known Member

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    I was using lack of successful breeding, considering Chico has bred before and Rip has bred before. But it was just an assumption.
     
  5. Ann Littlewood

    Ann Littlewood Well-Known Member

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    Is this really "contraception" or simply not putting males and females together? I have never heard of an elephant "pill." I would be very interested if there were such a thing.
     
  6. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    a quick google search throws up lots of links about elephant contraception, including (for example) Overpopulation of elephants: A mighty dilemma (quoted in part below)
     
  7. Ann Littlewood

    Ann Littlewood Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Very interesting.
     
  8. ShowMeElephants

    ShowMeElephants Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Both zoos have their elephant on medicinal type of contraception. The Los Angeles Zoo has not yet had their male and female elephants occupy the same enclosure yet, but the San Diego Zoo's male elephant resided with his former female herd during his life at the Wild Animal Park and continues to do so after his transfer to the new facility at the Zoo.