Elephants in Mexico

17-01-2011

All well and good, but what about some reciprocity? I also take exception at the let us take ... attitude. It is out of place in the zoo world (as it is in the wider world at large). We should be striving to improve each others' zoos.

I would hope that some attachment to the African elephant SSP would be possible instead.

17-01-2011

It is highly doubtful the US would acquire any elephants from Mexico. I did learn that La Pastora lost their breeding male last May to a chronic leg injury. The zoo will need to acquire another African bull to continue their breeding program, though I am unsure of the possibilites for such an acquirance. I believe Pancho was the only African bull in the country.

21-01-2011

I wasn't implying a one way deal at all. But now there is just a lone female and her maturing male calf. Is this really what is best for her? And if she and her calf would be able to contribute to the American SSP, GREAT! There would be some sort of reciporication. (I'm guessing) But I agree about the "all the zoos around the world need to work together." Is there any reason why elephants probably will not be brought to the U.S. other than it is difficult? With so many new enclosures opening around the country, that are trying to mimic natural herd structure, you would think zoos from all over the world would be working together to maximize genetic diversity and help with sourcing elephants to suiting homes.

22-01-2011

At this moment,the social,political and economic crisis is terrible in Northern Mexico,more than the rest of the country. Nuevo leon state and monterrey city are in a very bad situation. For now,i do not think la Pastora zoo can possibly acquire another male elephant.If Monty or his mother could be sent to a US accredited zoo on breeding loan it would be positive for all.

30-01-2012

To those who still believe that the Guadalajara elephants are of the Asian species, they are actually two African females named Kenya and Ashanti; they have never been bred to my knowledge. I'm also told that they are no longer in their old enclosure but in the Masai Mara Safari Ride (which is great news! They have a lot more space (and water) now.

Also, the Yumka wildlife park in Tabasco has one single bull African elephant it seems. I have photos of this park including a rather crappy pic of the elephant, but there's no gallery for it.

30-01-2012

Is it realistic to expect the Safari Park to send this bull to La Pastora?

How tight is the Mexican zoo community on conservation breeding with African elephants?
I thought Africam - Puebla was well good on this?

31-01-2012

I believe the elephants in Africam Safari are actually Asian, but I have never been there so...

This is the African bull elephant from Yumka:



I don´t think the park would send him elsewhere, though. I was there only once, but although the place itself is spectacular due to its natural setting- the wetlands of Tabasco, which once you add African animals remind you a lot of say, the floodplains of Okavango-, the actual park is rather poor, and I doubt they would be able, or even willing, to send their only elephant elsewhere.
In fact the main goal of the park is to preserve the wetlands and rainforest around it; they brought the exotic animals including the elephant mostly as a lure for tourists.

31-01-2012

I misread earlier posts ... indeed the Puebla are Asians.