North American African Elephant Population 2023

Callee, an African elephant, welcomed to Sedgwick County Zoo

Callee has officially left Omaha and is now at the Sedgwick County Zoo

 

Are there any social implications to the fact Omaha is (as of now) without a bull? I know they won't be needing one for breeding for at least a few years while calves are being raised, but didn't know if there was a social necessity to having a bull at the facility.

 

It would primarily be to serve as a mentor for the young bulls and to socialize the young cows with an adult male. The adult cows shouldn’t be particularly affected though. They only need the bull for breeding.

 

For that reason, I don’t see Omaha reacquiring another bull for at least another five or so years before the cows will need to breed again and the younger bulls will reach the age when they require socialisation. It shouldn’t really be necessary for the bulls any younger, and there’s not really any large benefit for the younger cows compared to the bulls but interaction with a bull would still be better than none.

 

*sighs* I’ve mentioned this before, but I guess I’ll mention this again. North America is not Australia. We do not have the limiting factor of only a handful of facilities who are able to accommodate a relatively small number of animals, in regards to elephants. There is absolutely zero need for artificially dragging out calving intervals for elephants in North America, especially considering how few facilities are breeding them appropriately right now, and also how many geriatric animals we have that will be dead within the next 10 years. We NEED every single animal we can get, regardless of gender, and that likely will not change for quite some time.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Omaha acquire a new bull within the next one to two years (quite possibly even Callee again, once he gets all the cows he can pregnant at Sedgwick). Socially, while not required (especially since they have a mixed sex group of calves), a socially savvy mature bull *is* nice to have around, especially for the bull calves, even from a young age. Especially as Omaha seems extremely keen to become a breeding powerhouse, I think they’re a zoo we can looks forwards to many promising updates for years to come.

 

This is from 2020.

 

Wouldn't they want another bull to maybe mix up the genetics?
I can imagine with such stellar performance, Callee is pretty well represented

 

Three year old Fitz at Louisville has been diagnosed with EEHV.

Source:Louisville Zoo’s 3-Year-Old Elephant Diagnosed with Potentially Fatal EEHV Virus (Media Release)

 

Update on Fitz provided by the Louisville Zoo

“Fitz continues to be under 24-hour care as staff monitors his condition, provides aggressive treatments and collects blood samples to send for testing daily to measure the level of virus in his system. He is eating and his condition remains stable.

His current treatment includes antiviral medications, plasma transfusions, as well as fluid and other supportive therapies to help fight the virus. Accredited zoos around the country including Birmingham Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, Houston Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, Sedgwick Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo, Sedgwick Zoo, Houston Zoo, among others have reached out to the Louisville Zoo to offer assistance, guidance, as well as blood and plasma donations for Fitz’s transfusions.”

Fitz

 

Awful news. Louisville has announced that Fitz passed away from EEHV last night.

Elephant Calf Fitz Passes Away After Battle With Deadly Virus (Media Release)

 

Willy at the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo has passed at the age of 44

 

Jayei has had a female calf!!

And then there... - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

 

SPECTACULAR!!!

 

Just what we needed! Two calves of each gender have been born at the same zoo in under two years. Hoping to see North America's first elephant family of four generations in the next few years.

 

Omaha is on the way for sure! If all goes well, the 5th calf born in the spring to Jayei's daughter (Oma) will make for 3 generations in a relatively new African Elephant breeding facility!

 

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Announces Elephant Valley, Largest Transformative Project in 50-year History - PR Newswire APAC

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park new African Elephant exhibit is officially opening in 2025.

 

Baby elephants coming 2024 ✨... - Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Nolwazi and Amahle are pregnant at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and are due in 2024!

 

Great news!
Trust Mabu to get the job done lol

 

We are so back as far as elephants go. I can't imagine what the population will be like in a few years.

Fingers crossed at least one of them is a girl

 

With the news of these girls pregnant at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, theres 6 African Elephants that will be due in 2024 in the United States.