The two female African elephants at the Philadelphia Zoo will finally leave their outdated enclosure, and they'll be joining legendary bull Jackson at the 724-acre International Conservation Center near Pittsburgh. Philly Zoo elephants get new home in southern Pa. | AP | 06/24/2009
Great news! Everyone has been waiting on this move for a while and it will be so beneficial for both the African Elephant SSP and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Look at past press releases on Pittsburgh zoos website. They had info on the center in one of the releases.
I remember that the center was going to begin breeding elephants and then add black rhinos, African wild dog, cheetahs and more.
Too bad that the 2 females are already too old for a sucessful first birth, at age 28. Philadelphia waited way too long.
Dont think so, small, not up to standard current enclosure and lack of funding/space for a new one AFAIK.
Not in the near future. The zoo's current masterplan included a new elephant habitat (about 2.5 acres) were the current pachyderm house is. Unfortunately they did not have enough money to complete this part of their masterplan.
I am very happy these 2 Philadelphia Zoo middle-aged elephants havel gone to the newly opened Elephant Conservation Center administered and managed by AZA zoos. At last, we no longer have to contend with these sanctuaries' elephant people if and when the welfare of individual zoo elephants is under scrutiny. The most important feat is that it will be a facility with the express objective to promote intensive elephant breeding and research under professional management. With these 2 Philadelphia cows we have crossed the Rubicon so to speak and more will follow, including no doubt several bulls to mate reproductively viable cows. Another element that may not be overlooked is the very fact that it will allow for long term research programmes to be developed on elephant ecology, behaviour and reproduction. Lastly, it will provide a platform for AZA zoos to promote in situ conservation programmes in elephant range countries.
Actually the conservation center is not solely for elephants and it is only managed and owned by the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Okapikpr, They have plans for black rhinos and Grevy zebras I believe. Correct? Any further plans beknownest? K.B.
Not so fast, Kifaru! The radicals are already ahead of you! Group opposes Philadelphia Zoo decision - UPI.com
Philly Zoo elephants arrive at S.W. Pa. sanctuary | AP | 07/08/2009 It appears the elephants have finally moved
