Latin American Elephant Population

It's official! Pocha and Guillermina, a mother-daughter pair of Asian elephants, are on the road to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil! The pair departed from the Mendoza EcoParque on May 7th, and crossed the Argentina-Brazil border on May 10th. The journey is expected to take approximately five days. Their relocation, which has been in the works since 2020, had been postponed for a number of reasons, from border restrictions due to COVID-19 to the renewal of permits. Pocha and Guillermina will be joining Maia, Rana, Lady, Mara, and Bambi, ESB’s resident female Asian elephants.

Rescue Pocha & Guillermina - Global Sanctuary for Elephants

 

Speaking of Pocha and Guillermina, does anyone know any history on Pocha?

 

According to the following sources, Pocha was born in India in 1965. She was later captured, and imported by Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany. In 1968, Pocha was transferred to the Mendoza Zoo (now turned Ecoparque) in an exchange.

El día más esperado: las elefantas Pocha y Guillermina partieron hoy al santuario de Brasil | Los Andes
Trasladan a las elefantas “Pocha” y “Guillermina”: madre e hija dejaron el Ecoparque de Mendoza y viajan a Brasil | Infobae
The operation to transfer 4 elephants from the former Mendoza zoo to a sanctuary in Brazil began | The Limited Times

 

After a 6-day, 3,366 km (2,092 mile) journey from the Mendoza EcoParque, 0.1 Pocha and 0.1 Guillermina arrived at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil on May 12, 2022.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants | Facebook

Pocha was the first to be loaded off the truck and given access to one of the stalls at the Elephant Care Center. After a few hours, Guillermina was loaded off the truck but because Pocha was still uneasy about leaving the safety of the crate, Guillermina was given access to Yard 1. An hour after Guillermina was unloaded, Pocha walked all the way out of her crate and into the stall. Shortly thereafter, GSE staff were able to move Pocha into the adjacent stall. Guillermina’s crate was then moved to the Elephant Care Center where Guillermina was given access to the same stall Pocha initially was. Guillermina has begun to take her first steps outside the crate.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants | Facebook
Global Sanctuary for Elephants | Facebook

 

As of June 6, 2022, there are 43 (19.24.0) African elephants and 29 (6.23.0) Asian elephants in Latin America. Of the 43 African elephants in Latin America, 3 (0.3.0) reside at 2 institutions in the Caribbean, 25 (13.12.0) reside at 7 institutions in North America, and 15 (6.9.0) reside at 8 institutions in South America. Of the 29 Asian elephants in Latin America, 1 (0.1.0) resides at an institution in Central America, 9 (4.5.0) reside at 5 institutions in North America, and 19 (2.17.0) reside at 9 institutions in South America.

Legend:
Asian elephants - Light Green
African elephants - Dark Green

Spoiler: Population

Spoiler: Caribbean

Cuba

Parque Zoológico Nacional de Cuba - Boyeros, Havana, Cuba
0.1 Ada (UNK) Adult
0.1 Adalis (UNK) Adolescent

Puerto Rico

Zoológico de Mayagüez - Mayagüez, Porta del Sol, Puerto Rico
0.1 Mundi (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00

Spoiler: Central America

Guatemala

Zoológico La Aurora - Guatemala City, Guatemala, Guatemala
0.1 Trompita (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00

Spoiler: North America

Mexico

Zoológico de León - León, Guanajuato, Mexico
1.0 David (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
0.1 Mara (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00

Zoológico Guadalajara - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
0.1 Ashanti (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Kenia (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00

Bioparque Estrella México - San Juan Tuxtepec, México, Mexico
0.1 Brama (WILD × WILD) 1960.00.00
0.1 Pamy (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00

Parque Ecológico Zacango - Santa María Nativitas, México, Mexico
1.0 Ted (WILD × WILD) 1962.00.00
0.1 Bireki (Ramos × Tanya) 1991.09.16

Zoológico San Juan de Aragón - Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
0.1 Ely (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00

Zoológico de Morelia - Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
1.0 Chamberu (WILD × WILD) 1962.00.00

Zoológico La Pastora - Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico
1.0 Monty (Pancho × Pancha) 2006.05.30

Bioparque Estrella Monterrey - Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico
1.0 Congo (WILD × WILD) 1991.00.00
0.1 Coapa (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00

Africam Safari - Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
1.0 Ramos (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
0.1 Honney Ball (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00
0.1 India (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
1.0 Grande (WILD × WILD) 2003.00.00
1.0 Mediano (WILD × WILD) 2004.00.00
1.0 Chico (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
1.0 Sarabi ( × Lider) 2017.05.16
1.0 Hoop ( × Independiente) 2017.08.29
1.0 Uturuki ( × Ceja) 2019.11.28
1.0 Arik ( × Independiente) 2020.07.29
1.0 Zoom ( × Lunar) 2020.08.08
1.0 Lester ( × Lider) 2020.11.11
0.1 Independiente (WILD × WILD) 2005.00.00
0.1 Timida (WILD × WILD) 2006.00.00
0.1 Lunar (WILD × WILD) 2007.00.00
0.1 Bolita (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
0.1 Ceja (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
0.1 Lider (WILD × WILD) 2008.00.00
0.1 Kibili ( × Timida) 2018.08.10

Ostok Animal Sanctuary - La Campana, Sinaloa, Mexico
1.0 Big Boy (Roman) (Vance × Sid) 1983.09.09

Yumká Parque Safari - Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
1.0 Tombo (WILD × WILD) 1992.00.00

Spoiler: South America

Argentina

Buenos Aires Ecoparque - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
0.1 Kuky (WILD × WILD) 1982.00.00
0.1 Pupy (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00

Mendoza Ecoparque - Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
1.0 Tamy (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Kenya (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00

Brazil

Zoológico de Brasília - Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
1.0 Chocolate (Joca × Beré) 1992.04.19
0.1 Belinha (WILD × WILD) 1993.00.00

Elephant Sanctuary Brazil - Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brazil
0.1 Rana (WILD × WILD) 1958.00.00
0.1 Bambi (WILD × WILD) 1962.00.00
0.1 Mara (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00
0.1 Pocha (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
0.1 Lady (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Maia (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Guillermina (Tamy × Pocha) 1998.11.19

Zoológico de Belo Horizonte - Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
1.0 Jamba (WILD × WILD) 1996.00.00
0.1 Axé (Joca × Beré) 1987.07.06

BioParque do Rio - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
0.1 Koala (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00

Beto Carrero World - Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil
0.1 Princess (WILD × WILD) 1956.00.00
0.1 Baby (Tanya) (Vance × Mala) 1992.04.04

Zoológico Pomerode - Pomerode, Santa Catarina, Brazil
0.1 Alica (WILD × WILD) 1960.00.00
0.1 Kenia (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00

Zooparque Itatiba - Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil
0.1 Honey (WILD × WILD) 1958.00.00
0.1 Bambi (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00

Bosque Zoológico Fábio Barreto - Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
0.1 Maison (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00

Zoológico de São Paulo - São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
0.1 Hangun (WILD × WILD) 1963.00.00
0.1 Serva (WILD × WILD) 1963.00.00

Zoológico Quinzinho de Barros - Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
1.0 Sandro (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00

Chile

Zoológico Nacional de Chile - Santiago, Santiago, Chile
1.0 Jumbo (WILD × WILD) 1987.00.00
0.1 Protea (WILD × WILD) 1988.00.00

Columbia

Parque Temático Hacienda Nápoles - Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, Colombia
1.0 Zimbabwe (Pirinolo × Maggie) 2006.12.12
0.1 Rani (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00

Zoológico de Barranquilla - Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
1.0 Tantor (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00

Bioparque Ukumarí - Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
1.0 Pirinolo (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Maggie (WILD × WILD) 1978.00.00
0.1 Kim (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00

However, these numbers are not accurate as 5 (0.5.0) elephants have an uncertain status. These elephants are 0.1 Ada and 0.1 Adalis at Parque Zoológico Nacional de Cuba, 0.1 Pamy at Bioparque Estrella México, and 0.1 Honney Ball and 0.1 India at Africam Safari. Any information that could validate the status of these elephants would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bireki says goodbye to the Zacango Zoo; will live in a natural sanctuary in Sinaloa - Archysport

I know it has been said, but here is confirmation that one of the reasons Bireki is being transferred is for breeding purposes with Big Boy. Their Facebook post also confirmed it and will consult with experts if necessary.
This is very interesting for obvious reasons being Bireki most certainly past prime breeding age and Big Boy being castrated.

 

Pocha at the elephant sanctuary in Brazil has passed away.

 

DRNA anuncia el cierre permanente del Zoológico de Mayagüez

Puerto Rico only zoo will officially permanently close and the animals will be sent to sanctuaries in the US. Interesting to see where the African elephant Mundi will end up. Mundi recently celebrated her 41st birthday earlier this month.

 

Hopefully not to Carol Buckley. I know TES will be happy to take her. I do not know any other zoo are willing to import an older cow when they are going to have to accommodate the surplus bulls from the recent imports.

 

I agree. Mundi did almost become her first elephant like the transport crate was in her enclosure when the Government of PR back out of the agreement. As for who would take her I know Zoo Miami once said they would take her years ago and I forgot the other AZA zoo that said would take her but it was years ago

 

NC zoo maybe? They could accommodate another cow. And yes about Miami but I doubt that will happen now as they wan to focus on breeding Asians.

If a sanctuary is required TES is the closest so less stressful. And the administration seems to be doing a good job. And financially secure versus an old woman begging for money while storing up a fortune for herself.

 

Miami's focused on Asians going forward so I don't deem that likely.

Don't think NC would go to the lengths of importing an older, non breeding cow, especially as they have a cohesive group as it is.

If I was to guess, I'd say Mundi will probably end up in a sanctuary. TES is a strong chance imo.

 

Carol Buckley has already started asking for donations to receive Mundi, word on the street is the government of Puerto Rico have already literally gifted Mundi to her.

 

They would be idiots to let Carol have Mundi.
If Carol is asking for donations how can she afford to feed THREE elephants?
Rest assured Carol is pocketing alot of money for herself.

TES is better sanctuary. I don’t see any zoo stepping up. I would prefer TES for Mundi over the Georgia “sanctuary”.

 

It’s official Mundi is headed to ERNA with Carol.

Meet Mundi - Elephant Aid International

 

Elephant Aid International

Mundi is flying out to ERNA today. After today Puerto Rico will no longer have an elephant. Hoping for the best considering Carol Buckley history

 

I am so sad for Mundi. I rather for her move to an AZA zoo or a creditable sanctuary than to CB.

 

Come on, it`s not that bad. Mundi will have lots and lots of space and fresh vegetation to eat and the company of two other elephants; that`s a huge huge huge improvement.
Carol Buckley was fired from TES for not reporting an active case of TB to the authorities (which she disputes if I remember right), and for creating a toxic work environment and abusive behavoir against employees, not for mistreating elephants or neglecting their care. So I am pretty sure Mundi will be fine.

I personally disagree with Carol on many things - I dislike the way she glorifies free contact and the importance of the bond between human and elephant, and the way she has "rewritten" Taras social history, and I am not sure the fences she built at her new sacntuary are actually elephant proof, much less bull proof. And I wish Mundi had gone to TES or PAWS so that she could be part of a herd of female african elephants. Interestingly, during her time at TES; Carol always said african and asian elephants should not be mixed because they are totally different species with a different language and different behavoir; and I really dislike how Carol is now stating the opposite of what she said for many years.... But again, Mundi`s situation has much improved, and there would have been many worse options for Mundi in AZA zoos.

 

yes you are mostly correct above. But you should read the testimonies of the employees. Carol was abusive to the elephants. One example I remember, she used a tractor on Billie to force her to move when Billie refused to move. So much for “passive” control. And a friend suspected that Jenny died because Carol brought TB over from the Hawthorne herd.

and when Carol was fired she left behind her birds in the house on the property. Why? I don’t know.

it makes me wonder what will happen to the elephants and dogs when Carol dies? Will they go back to TES? There is no backup plan from what I can see. She asks for money and says they are broke (I am sure she has a fat wallet somewhere because she seems to find those rich donors).

 

San Juan de Aragon zoo in Mexico City now has 2 African elephants. Gypsy from Zoofari Safari Park has arrived to keep Ely, our resident elephant company. Gypsy and Ely are both females.
La elefanta Ely recibe a su nueva amiga Gipsy en el zoológico de Aragón