American Elephant Imports

Hi guys! I've seen that most times back in the 60's-90's, elephant imports of calves after their parents were culled, usually imported more than one elephant to the USA. I was wondering what you guys knew about certain groups of elephants(African or Asian) that were imported to the US back in the 60's-90's?

 

Buttonwood park zoo: Emily arrived at buttonwood park zoo in 1968. Ruth arrived at the zoo in the 80s but seems to got in the US in the 60s. Rodger williams park zoo: all 3 elephants entered the US in the early 90s. that's the info that I can gather on the ones in my local area.

 

This is the information I was able to collect on North American Asian elephant importations between the 1960s and 1990s. * Warning: Prepare yourself for A LOT of reading! *

Sources:
North American Regional Asian Elephant Studbook 2014
North American Regional Asian Elephant Studbook 2005
European Asian Elephant Studbook 2015
Absolute Elephant Database, Facts & Encyclopedia
Petra Prager - Elefanten-Fotolexikon

The importations are grouped by decade so Part 1 will consist of importations between 1960 and 1969, Part 2 will consist of importations between 1970 and 1979, Part 3 will consist of importations between 1980 and 1989, Part 4 will consist of importations between 1990 and 1999, and Part 5 will consist of importations worth mentioning and later reviewing in detail. Some importations occurred between decades so a couple of importations may not configure to the importation timeline.

 

Part 1: 1960 - 1969

Importation Name:
0.0 Name (Current Name) (Sire x Dame) Date of Birth (Importation Location) Date of Importation (Current Location) Date of Death

The 1965-1970 Morgan Berry Import:
1.0 Tunga 1964-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 0000-00-00 (Hawthorn Corporation) 1996-09-19
0.1 Cha Cha 1967-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 0000-00-00 (San Diego Zoo) 2012-01-04
1.0 Ranchipur 1966-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 0000-00-00 (San Diego Zoo) 2016-08-23
0.1 Winkie 1966-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 1966-00-00 (Elephant Sanctuary) 2017-05-11
1.0 Thai 1965-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 1968-00-00 (Houston Zoo)
0.1 Methai 1969-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 1970-00-00 (Houston Zoo)
0.1 Bamboo 1966-00-00 (Morgan Berry) 0000-00-00 (Oklahoma City Zoo)

Between 1965 and 1970, Morgan Berry imported 3.4 Asian elephants from a few countries in Asia. 1.0 Tunga (#47), 0.1 Cha Cha (#219), 1.0 Ranchipur (#218), and 0.1 Bamboo (#245) were imported at an unknown time but based on each elephant’s second location, the importations must have occurred between 1965 and 1970 respectively. Tunga resided at Morgan Berry and Oregon Zoo until his transfer to the Hawthorn Corporation in July of 1991 where he remained until his death in September of 1996. Cha Cha resided at Morgan Berry, Denver Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park until her transfer to the San Diego Zoo in April of 2009 where she remained until her death in January of 2012. Ranchipur resided at Morgan Berry and San Diego Zoo Safari Park until his transfer to the San Diego Zoo in April of 2009 where he remained until his death in August of 2016. Bamboo resided at Morgan Berry, Woodland Park Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo, and San Diego Zoo until her transfer to the Oklahoma City Zoo in May of 2015 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Winkie (#123), 1.0 Thai (#126), and 0.1 Methai (#127) were imported in 1966, 1968, and 1970 respectively. Winkie resided at Morgan Berry and Henry Vilas Zoo until her transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary in September of 2000 where she remained until her death in May of 2017. Thai resided at Morgan Berry until his transfer to the Houston Zoo in June of 1980 where he’s remained since. Methai resided at Morgan Berry Farm and Wildlife Safari until her transfer to the Houston Zoo in May of 1981 where she’s remained since.


The 1967 India Import:
0.1 Seetna 1966-07-10 (Miami Zoo) 1967-08-26 (Two Tails Ranch) 1996-05-22
1.0 Dahlip 1966-08-06 (Miami Zoo) 1967-08-26 (Miami Zoo)

In August of 1967, the Miami Zoo imported 1.1 Asian elephants from the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. 0.1 Seetna (#137) and 1.0 Dahlip (#139) resided at the Miami Zoo for several years and during that time, the two produced three calves. The three calves were: 1.0 Rocky 1977-04-02, 1.0 Spike 1981-07-02, and 0.1 Pearl 1985-10-28. In September of 1992, Seetna and Dahlip were transferred to Two Tails Ranch and produced a calf during their time there. The calf was: 1.0 Stillborn 1996-05-22. Dahlip was transferred back to the Miami Zoo in June of 1995 where he’s remained since. In May of 1996, Seetna died as a result of complications during labour.


The 1967 Busch Gardens Tampa Import & The 1972 Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus Import:
0.1 Barbara 1966-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1967-00-00 (Elephant Sanctuary) 2001-05-18
0.1 Minyak 1966-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1967-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation) 2012-06-27
0.1 Mala 1967-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1967-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)

0.1 Carmen 1960-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1987-00-00
0.1 Gildah 1948-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden) 2005-08-31
0.1 Josky 1967-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation) 2010-01-08
0.1 Rebecca 1961-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Performing Animal Welfare Society) 2011-01-08
0.1 Gypsy 1967-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Performing Animal Welfare Society)
0.1 Zina 1961-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Little Rock Zoo)
0.1 Sophie 1969-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1972-00-00 (Little Rock Zoo)

In 1967, Busch Gardens Tampa imported 0.3 Asian elephants from the William Smart Circus in Winkfield, England. Between 1966 and 1967, the William Smart Circus imported the 0.3 Asian elephants from Asia. 0.1 Barbara (#253), 0.1 Minyak (#255), and 0.1 Mala (#254) resided at Busch Gardens Tampa for a few years until all three were transferred to the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus in 1972. In 1972, the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus imported 0.7 Asian elephants from William Smart Circus. Between 1960 and 1970, the William Smart Circus imported the 0.7 Asian elephants from Asia. 0.1 Carmen (#189), 0.1 Sophie (#194), 0.1 Josky (#252), 0.1 Gypsy (#371), 0.1 Rebecca (#418), 0.1 Zina (#419), and 0.1 Gildah (#604) resided at the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, along with Barbara, Minyak, and Mala, for a couple of years until all ten elephants were transferred to the Ringling Brothers Circus World in February of 1974. After the transfer to Ringling Brothers Circus World, most of the elephants remained a part of the Ringling Brothers Circus while others were transferred to different facilities.

Barbara resided at Busch Gardens Tampa, Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus and Ringling Brothers Circus World until her transfer to the Elephant Sanctuary in April of 1996 where she remained until her death in May of 2001. Minyak resided at Busch Gardens Tampa, Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, and Ringling Brothers Circus World until her transfer to the Center for Elephant Conservation in July of 1995 where she remained until her death in June of 2012. Mala resided at Busch Gardens Tampa, Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, and Ringling Brothers Circus World until until her transfer to the Center for Elephant Conservation in July of 1995 where she’s remained since. Carmen resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus and Ringling Brothers Circus World until her return to the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus in September of 1984 where she remained until her death in 1987. Gildah resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus and Ringling Brothers Circus World until her transfer to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden in 1991 where she remained until her death in August of 2005. Josky resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Brothers Circus World, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Columbus Zoo until her transfer to the Center for Elephant Conservation in July of 1995 where she remained until her death in January of 2010. Rebecca resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Brothers Circus World, and Center for Elephant Conservation until her transfer to the Performing Animal Welfare Society in September of 2002 where she remained until her death in January of 2011. Gypsy resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Brothers Circus World, Rex Williams, Vargas Circus, and Hawthorn Corporation until her transfer to the Performing Animal Welfare Society in April of 2007 where she’s remained since. Zina resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Brothers Circus World, Two Tails Ranch, and Center for Elephant Conservation until her transfer to the Little Rock Zoo in June of 2011 where she’s remained since. Sophie resided at Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Brothers Circus World, Center for Elephant Conservation, and Niabi Zoo until her transfer to the Little Rock Zoo in October of 2013 where she’s remained since.

 

Part 2: 1970 - 1979

Importation Name:
0.0 Name (Current Name) (Sire x Dame) Date of Birth (Importation Location) Date of Importation (Current Location) Date of Death

The 1970-1973 Busch Gardens Tampa Import:
0.1 AnnaMae 1967-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1970-12-16 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1997-11-11
0.1 Sally 1967-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1970-12-31 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 2003-02-12
0.1 Simba 1968-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1972-04-05 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Rosie 1970-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1972-09-20 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Carina 1972-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1973-03-03 (Busch Gardens Tampa)
0.1 Sheena 1971-00-00 (Busch Gardens Tampa) 1973-10-03 (Phoenix Zoo)

Between December of 1970 and October of 1973, Busch Gardens Tampa imported 0.6 Asian elephants from Asia. 0.1 AnnaMae (#37) and 0.1 Sally (#36) were individually imported in December of 1970 and resided at Busch Gardens Tampa until their deaths in November of 1997 and February of 2003 respectively. 0.1 Simba (#35) was imported in April of 1972 and has resided at Busch Gardens Tampa since. 0.1 Rosie (#34) was imported in September of 1972 and has resided at Busch Gardens Tampa since. 0.1 Carina (#30) was imported in March of 1973 and has resided at Busch Gardens Tampa since. Rosie and Carina are the only elephants from this particular import to reproduce. Rosie had one calf: 1.0 Stillborn (Sire: Vance) 1989-07-21 while Carina had one calf: 0.1 Karnaudi (Sire: Vance) 1990-04-13. Unfortunately, Rosie and Carina never reproduced after the birth of their first calves. 0.1 Sheena (#29) was imported in October of 1973 and resided at Busch Gardens Tampa, Miami Zoo, and Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus until her transfer to the Phoenix Zoo in November of 2000 where she’s remained since.


The 1971 Thailand Import:
0.1 Sleepy 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00
0.1 Grumpy 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (Bronx Zoo) 2002-10-03
1.0 Doc (Vance) 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (Bowmanville Zoo) 2008-02-00
0.1 Dopey (Cindy) 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (George Carden Circus)
0.1 Bashful (Jaz) 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (George Carden Circus)
1.0 Sneezy 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (Tulsa Zoo)
0.1 Happy 1971-00-00 (Lion Country Safari) 1972-00-00 (Bronx Zoo)

In 1972, the Lion Country Safari in Laguna Hills, California imported 2.5 Asian elephants from Thailand and named the calves after the ‘Seven Dwarfs’. In 1973, the elephant calves were transferred to the Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Florida. Unfortunately, 0.1 Sleepy (#730) was never transferred as she died at the Lion Country Safari in Laguna Hills, California. After residing at the Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Florida, the remaining six elephant calves were transferred to numerous locations throughout North America. 0.1 Grumpy (#168) was transferred to the Bronx Zoo in March of 1977 where she remained until her death in October of 2002. 0.1 Happy (#208) was also transferred to the Bronx Zoo in March of 1997 and has remained there since. 1.0 Doc (Vance) (#272) resided at Trunks & Humps (Bill Swain) until his transfer to the Bowmanville Zoo in September of 1988 where he remained until his death in February of 2008. 0.1 Dopey (Cindy) (#148) and 0.1 Bashful (Jaz) (#151) resided at Howard Johnson and Have Trunk Will Travel until their transfer to the George Carden Circus in June of 1993 where they’ve remained since. 1.0 Sneezy (#160) resided at the Memphis Zoo until his transfer to the Tulsa Zoo in November of 1977 where he’s remained since. Sneezy is the only elephant from this particular import to reproduce but sadly, all his offspring have died.


The 1971 India Import:
0.1 Sujatha 1971-00-00 (Santa Barbara Zoo) 1972-07-03 (Santa Barbara Zoo)
0.1 Little Mac 1971-00-00 (Santa Barbara Zoo) 1972-07-03 (Santa Barbara Zoo)

In July of 1972, the Santa Barbara Zoo imported 0.2 Asian elephants from Karnataka, India. 0.1 Sujatha (#231) and 0.1 Little Mac (#232) have resided at the Santa Barbara Zoo for a vast majority of their lives. From December of 2003 to August of 2004, Sujatha and Little Mac resided at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo while renovations to the elephant habitat occurred at the Santa Barbara Zoo.


The 1973 India Import:
1.0 Groucho 1970-00-00 (Bronx Zoo) 1973-10-01 (Denver Zoo)
0.1 Maxine 1970-00-00 (Bronx Zoo) 1973-10-01 (Bronx Zoo)
0.1 Patty 1970-00-00 (Bronx Zoo) 1973-10-01 (Bronx Zoo)

In October of 1973, the Bronx Zoo imported 1.2 Asian elephants from India. 0.1 Maxine (#204) and 0.1 Patty (#205) have resided at the Bronx Zoo since their importation while 1.0 Groucho (#203) resided at the Bronx Zoo for several years. During his time at the Bronx Zoo, Groucho produced one calf: 1.0 Astor (Dam: Patty) 1981-08-20. In April of 1986, Groucho was transferred to the Fort Worth Zoo and produced six calves during his time there. The six calves are: 1.0 Stillborn - Twin 1 (Dam: Babe) 1996-06-23, 1.0 Stillborn - Twin 2 (Dam: Babe) 1996-06-23, 0.1 Bluebonnet (Dam: Rasha) 1998-12-16, 0.1 Stillborn (Dam: Babe) 2002-03-14, 0.1 Unnamed (Dam: Rasha) 2003-09-19, and 0.1 Belle (Dam: Rasha) 2013-07-07. In January of 2012, Groucho was transferred to the Denver Zoo where he’s remained since.


The 1975-1976 Sri Lankan Import:
1.0 Bandara 1975-00-00 (Calgary Zoo) 1976-05-25 (Calgary Zoo) 1991-11-25
0.1 Kamala 1975-00-00 (Calgary Zoo) 1976-05-25 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Swarna 1975-00-00 (Calgary Zoo) 1976-05-25 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Bozie 1975-00-00 (Lincoln Park Zoo) 1976-11-03 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Shanthi 1975-00-00 (Smithsonian National Zoo) 1976-12-30 (Smithsonian National Zoo)
0.1 Lucy 1975-00-00 (Edmonton Valley Zoo) 1977-05-19 (Edmonton Valley Zoo)
0.1 Romani 1976-00-00 (Cristiani Brothers Circus) 0000-00-00 (Rosamond Gifford Zoo)

In May of 1976, the Calgary Zoo imported 1.2 Asian elephants. In November of 1976, the Lincoln Park Zoo imported 0.1 Asian elephant. In December of 1976, the Smithsonian National Zoo imported 0.1 Asian elephant. In May of 1977, the Edmonton Valley Zoo imported 0.1 Asian elephant. Lastly, at an unknown time, the Cristiani Brothers Circus imported 0.1 Asian elephant. All seven Asian elephants were imported from the Sri Lanka National Zoo in Dehiwala, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1.0 Bandara (#144) resided at the Calgary Zoo until his death in November of 1991. 0.1 Kamala (#145) and 0.1 Swarna (#146) resided at the Calgary Zoo until their transfer to the Smithsonian National Zoo in May of 2014 where they’ve remained since. 0.1 Bozie (#77) resided at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Henry Vilas Zoo, Dickerson Park Zoo, and Baton Rouge Zoo until her transfer to the Smithsonian National Zoo in May of 2013 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Shanthi (#165) resided at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Rosamond Gifford Zoo until her return to the Smithsonian National Zoo in November of 1992 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Lucy (#314) resided at the Edmonton Valley Zoo and Calgary Zoo until her return to the Edmonton Valley Zoo in April of 1988 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Romani (#26) resided at the Cristiani Brothers Circus and Buffalo Zoo until her transfer to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in May of 1985 where she’s remained since. Given their similar years of birth and importation dates, Bandara, Kamala, Swarna, Bozie, Shanthi, Lucy, and Romani must have interacted at the Sri Lanka National Zoo however, there’s no primary sources, to my knowledge, to prove this.

 

Part 3: 1980-1989

Importation Name:
0.0 Name (Current Name) (Sire x Dame) Date of Birth (Importation Location) Date of Importation (Current Location) Date of Death

The 1980 Myanmar Import:
0.1 Alana 1975-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Nicole 1975-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (San Antonio Zoo)
0.1 Icky 1976-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Siam 1976-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Bangko 1976-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (Center for Elephant Conservation)
0.1 Babe 1976-00-00 (Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus) 1980-11-00 (Little Rock Zoo)
0.1 Yhetoo 1977-00-00 (Krefeld Zoo) 1980-09-08 (Belfast Zoo)

In November of 1980, the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus imported 0.6 Asian elephants from Louis Ruhe in Alfeld, Germany. In August of 1980, Louis Ruhe imported the 0.7 Asian elephants from Burmese Timber Camps in Myanmar. 0.1 Alana (#198) and 0.1 Icky (#199) resided at the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus and Two Tails Ranch until their transfer to the Center for Elephant Conservation in July of 1995 where they’ve remained since. Alana and Icky are the only elephants to have reproduced from this particular import. 0.1 Siam (#107) and 0.1 Bangko (#115) resided at the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus until their transfer to the Center for Elephant Conservation in May of 2016 where they’ve remained since. 0.1 Nicole (#196) resided at the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus and Center for Elephant Conservation until her transfer to the San Antonio Zoo in June of 2016 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Babe (#197) resided at the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus, Center for Elephant Conservation, and Niabi Zoo until her transfer to the Little Rock Zoo in October of 2013 where she’s remained since. Even though 0.1 Yhetoo (EEP #8006) was never imported to North America, she was a part of this particular group of imported elephants. Yhetoo resided at the Krefeld Zoo and Hannover Zoo until her transfer to the Belfast Zoo in January of 2009 where she’s remained since.


The 1980-1981 Thailand Import:
0.1 Chai 1979-00-00 (Woodland Park Zoo) 1980-03-30 (Oklahoma City Zoo) 2016-01-30
0.1 Sri 1980-00-00 (Woodland Park Zoo) 1981-07-24 (Saint Louis Zoo)

In March of 1980, the Woodland Park Zoo imported a 0.1 Asian elephant. In July of 1981, the Woodland Park Zoo imported a 0.1 Asian elephant. Both Asian elephants were imported from Thailand and were gifted to the citizens of Seattle from Thai Airways and the Dusit Zoo. 0.1 Chai (#246) resided at the Woodland Park Zoo, Dickerson Park Zoo, and San Diego Zoo until her transfer to the Oklahoma City Zoo in May of 2015 where she remained until her death in January of 2016. During her time at the Woodland Park Zoo, Chai produced two calves which are: 0.1 Hansa (Sire: Onyx) 2000-11-03 and 0.0 Stillborn (Sire: Sneezy) 2008-08-14. 0.1 Sri (#247) resided at the Woodland Park Zoo until her transfer to the Saint Louis Zoo in July of 2002 where she’s remained since. During her time at the Saint Louis Zoo, Sri produced one calf which is: 0.1 Stillborn (Sire: Raja) 2005-11-19. Unfortunately, Sri is incapable of reproducing as her stillborn calf is, to my knowledge, still in utero.


The 1987 India Import:
0.1 Jothi 1981-00-00 (Buffalo Zoo) 1987-03-01 (Buffalo Zoo)
0.1 Surapa 1983-00-00 (Buffalo Zoo) 1987-03-01 (Buffalo Zoo)

In March of 1987, the Buffalo Zoo imported 0.2 Asian elephants from the Arignar Anna Zoo in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. 0.1 Jothi (#268) resided at the Buffalo Zoo, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, and Columbus Zoo until her return to the Buffalo Zoo in July of 2008 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Surapa (#269) resided at the Buffalo Zoo and Columbus Zoo until her return to the Buffalo Zoo in July of 2008 where she’s remained since. Despite being sent on the breeding loans, Jothi and Surapa never conceived. In the Fall of 2018, Jothi and Surapa are being relocated to the Audubon Zoo to enhance their social and spatial opportunities.


The 1989-1990 Malaysia Import:
1.0 Billy 1985-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo) 1989-01-07 (Los Angeles Zoo)
0.1 Becky 1987-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo) 1989-01-07 (Have Trunk Will Travel)
0.1 Rosie 1984-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo) 1990-01-14 (Have Trunk Will Travel)
0.1 Tess 1983-00-00 (Los Angeles Zoo) 1990-01-14 (Houston Zoo)

In January of 1989, the Los Angeles Zoo imported 1.1 Asian elephants from Malaysia. In January of 1990, the Los Angeles Zoo imported 0.2 Asian elephants from the Melaka Zoo in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia. 1.0 Billy (#309) resided at the Los Angeles Zoo and Have Trunk Will Travel until his return to the Los Angeles Zoo in July of 1994 where he’s remained since. 0.1 Becky (#299) resided at the Los Angeles Zoo, Have Trunk Will Travel, and African Lion Safari until her return to Have Trunk Will Travel in April of 1998 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Rosie (#282) resided at the Los Angeles Zoo, Have Trunk Will Travel, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, and Denver Zoo until her return to Have Trunk Will Travel in September of 2001 where she’s remained since. 0.1 Tess (#288) resided at the Los Angeles Zoo, Have Trunk Will Travel, African Lion Safari, and Denver Zoo until her transfer to the Houston Zoo in August of 2008 where she’s remained since. Becky, Rosie, and Tess have all reproduced but the offspring produced by Becky and Rosie have died and Tess is the only reproductively active elephant from this particular import. Billy is, to my knowledge, still reproductively viable and it’s hopeful that he’ll participate in the regional breeding program soon.

 

Part 4: 1990 - 1999

Importation Name:
0.0 Name (Current Name) (Sire x Dame) Date of Birth (Importation Location) Date of Importation (Current Location) Date of Death

The 1991 Malaysia Import:
1.0 Sabu 1988-00-00 (Cincinnati Zoo) 1991-01-29 (Cincinnati Zoo)
0.1 Jati 1987-00-00 (Cincinnati Zoo) 1991-01-29 (Cincinnati Zoo)

In January of 1991, the Cincinnati Zoo imported a 1.0 Asian elephant from Perak, Malaysia and a 0.1 Asian elephant from Perlis, Malaysia. 0.1 Jati (#315) has resided at the Cincinnati Zoo since her arrival and has produced one calf during her time there: 1.0 Ganesh (Sire: Sabu) 1998-03-15. 1.0 Sabu (#297) resided at the Cincinnati Zoo, Louisville Zoo, and Dickerson Park Zoo until his return to the Cincinnati Zoo in November of 2007 where he’s remained since. Sabu has produced two calves during his time at the Cincinnati Zoo and Dickerson Park Zoo. The two calves are: 1.0 Ganesh (Dam: Jati) 1998-03-15 and 0.1 Nisha (Dam: Moola) 2006-07-18. Unfortunately, all offspring produced by Sabu and Jati have died but it’s hopeful the two will reproduce.


The 1993 Ramat Gan Safari Import:
0.1 Lilly (Motek x Warda) 1985-01-31 (African Lion Safari) 1993-05-31 (African Lion Safari)
0.1 Phoebe (Motek x Warda) 1987-05-15 (African Lion Safari) 1993-05-31 (Columbus Zoo)

In May of 1993, the African Lion Safari imported 0.2 Asian elephants from the Ramat Gan Safari in Ramat Gan, Israel. 0.1 Lilly (#347) has resided at the African Lion Safari since her arrival and has produced four calves during her time there. The four calves are: 0.1 Piccolina (Sire: Alexander) 1994-12-11, 1.0 Albert (Sire: Calvin) 1998-11-29, 1.0 Logan (Sire: Rex) 2006-04-13, and 0.1 Hannah (Sire: Johnson) 2014-10-19. 0.1 Phoebe (#353) resided at the African Lion Safari for several years and produced two calves during her time there. The two calves are: 0.1 Stillborn (Sire: Motek) 1993-11-16 and 1.0 George (Sire: Calvin) 1999-10-21. In January of 2002, Phoebe was transferred to the Columbus Zoo and has resided there since. During her time at the Columbus Zoo, Phoebe has produced two calves which are: 1.0 Bodhi (Sire: Coco) 2004-04-16 and 1.0 Beco (Sire: Coco) 2009-03-27. In December of 2018, Phoebe will be expecting her fifth calf.


The 1998-1999 Bornean Import:
0.1 Chendra 1993-00-00 (Oregon Zoo) 1999-11-20 (Oregon Zoo)
0.1 Manari 1990-00-00 (Hannover Zoo) 1998-08-26 (Hannover Zoo)
0.1 Sayang 1995-00-00 (Hannover Zoo) 1998-08-26 (Hannover Zoo)

In November of 1999, the Oregon Zoo imported a 0.1 Asian elephant from Sabah, Malaysia. 0.1 Chendra (#519) has resided at the Oregon Zoo since her arrival and is the only Bornean elephant in North America. Despite breeding recommendations, Chendra has never bred and at 25 years old, it’s unlikely she will ever reproduce unless the SSP intervenes. Even though, 0.1 Manari (EEP #9012) and 0.1 Sayang (EEP #9507) were never imported to North America, they share a very similar past to Chendra. In August of 1998, the Hannover Zoo imported 0.2 Asian elephants from Sabah, Malaysia. Manari and Sayang have resided at the Hannover Zoo since their arrival and are, to my knowledge, the only two Bornean elephants in Europe. Fortunately, Manari and Sayang have been given the opportunity to reproduce and in doing so, Manari has produced four calves while Sayang has produced three calves. There’s a possibility Chendra interacted with Manari and Sayang as all three resided at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia and their importations occurred in 1998 and 1999 respectively.

 

Part 5: Importations Worth Mentioning And Later Reviewing In Detail

The Franciscus Van Den Brink Import:
0.1 Moola (#42) is the only Asian elephant, out of a total 43 Asian elephants, from the elephant distributor Franciscus Van Den Brink in Lutten, Netherlands to be imported to North America. Further details coming soon.