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More African Elephants On The Way! » Memphis Zoo
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#1
More African Elephants On The Way!
27-11-2008
Zoo gains third elephant; fourth is on the way : Local News : Memphis Commercial Appeal
The Memphis Zoo has one of the worst elephant exhibits in North America, but now comes the news that there will be a renovation of the paddock. |
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#2
30-11-2008
Its good to have more breeding age elephants in the population!
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#3
30-11-2008
With 25, the new addition is past the age in which a nulliparous female elephant has a realisttic chance to give birth to a healthy calf, sadly. Pregnancies of mothers age 25+ usually end in stillbirths.
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#4
01-12-2008
But, there have been 25+ years aged females with successful births...
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#5
01-12-2008
Very few, while most nulliparous females in this age had stillbirths and some even ended up dead. We can try to compile a list if you`re really interested.
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#6
01-12-2008
I know in Toronto there was much debate over whether or not to breed our (then) 24/25 year old elephant. On the one hand, there is significant risk involved. On the other, it has been proposed that not permitting an animal to experience the full range of natural activities (including reproduction) could have animal welfare implications. (FYI, the decision was made not to breed at Toronto)
Is it better to stagnate (with a single animal) or to take a risk (knowing you could end up with zero or two)? |
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#7
01-12-2008
Double or Nothing
Are there any pictures of Memphis's Elephant cage. |
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#8
02-12-2008
Yes go to the Memphis Zoo gallery, and I would not at all a cage. I have never heard of that anymore where the outdoor exhibit is a cage.
@Yassa: There have been plenty of successful elephant births with a 25 year old elephant, and even older than that. If they don't breed elephants in captivity elephants would have a much greater possibility of going extinct, therefore captive breeding programs are great. |
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#9
02-12-2008
I kinda agree with Yassa. Remember he said nulliparous which means - has never given birth. A major theory on elephant reproduction is that if an elephant isn't breed after the age of 25, their hips won't be able to handle a birth and the pregnancy will result in a stillbirth and could kill the mother and fetus. I don't how many nulliparous elephants have successfully given birth so I don't how outrageous (or not) the theory is.
But it's exciting that another zoo is renovating their elephant exhibit. I also hope they can produce a little one soon. A captive population is at stake. |
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#10
02-12-2008
Quote:
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#11
02-12-2008
I think that 25 is old for the first time, but for an elephant who has given birth before it is no problem. Some zoos breed their elephants into their 30's. I really don't think it is that big of a risk. In my opinion there have been enough successful births to prove it is not that risky.
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#12
02-12-2008
Quote:
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#13
02-12-2008
What zoo breeds their elephants into their 40's and 50's?
Even in the wild, don't really breed into their 50's. They generally live to be about 60 for Africans and up to 70 for Asians when their last set of teeth wear out so I don't really think a 50 year old elephant will be having babies when it only has a few more years to live. |
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#14
02-12-2008
I believe that Ramat Gan, Israel is still breeding, or intends to, Warda (b. 1958)...her last calf was in 2006. And African Lion Safari (Rockton, Ontario) still breeds Kitty (b. 1962)...her last calf was also in 2006. Im sure there are others, but these are the ones I knew off the top of my head.
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#15
28-12-2008
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