North American Asian Elephant Population 2021

Another year has come and gone so it’s time once again to post an annual overview of the occurrences that happened in the North American population of Asian elephants to the thread.

To public knowledge, there were nine deaths, four births, and two transfers in 2020. Last year, the population had its ups with the birth of four calves (one cow and three bulls), of which three calves survived, and one of those calves was born to a 50-year-old cow, and the Oklahoma City Zoo’s announcement of Asha’s fourth pregnancy and downs with the death of Ambika, the second oldest Asian elephant in North America, and the death of two calves at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to EEHV.

Spoiler: 2020 Overview

Spoiler: Transfers

0.1 Booper (Betty Boop) was transferred from Riddle's Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary to the Tulsa Zoo on October __, 2020.

Three Major Arrivals at Tulsa Zoo | Tulsa Zoo
New elephant at the Tulsa Zoo | Tulsa World

1.0 Smokey was transferred from the Center for Elephant Conservation to Two Tails Ranch.

Our Elephants | All About Elephants | Two Tails Ranch

Spoiler: Births

0.1 Shanti gave birth to a male calf named Nelson on May 12, 2020, at the Houston Zoo. 1.0 Thailand (Houston Zoo) is the sire.

Oh, Boy! Baby Elephant Born at the Houston Zoo | The Houston Zoo

0.1 Rani gave birth to a male calf named Avi on July 6, 2020, at the Saint Louis Zoo. 1.0 Raja (Saint Louis Zoo) is the sire.

It's a Boy! Asian elephant calf born July 6, 2020 | Saint Louis Zoo

0.1 Whimpy gave birth to a male calf named Cameron Lee on August 2, 2020, at the Endangered Ark Foundation. 1.0 Tommy (Endangered Ark Foundation) is the sire.

EXCITING NEWS!!! The Endangered Ark Foundation has welcomed it’s newest addition! - Endangered Ark Foundation | Facebook
We are proud to officially announce our sweet baby boy Cameron Lee!! - Endangered Ark Foundation | Facebook

0.1 Lilly gave birth to a female calf named Imke on November 22, 2020, at African Lion Safari. 1.0 Johnson (African Lion Safari) is the sire.

Baby Imke - African Lion Safari | Facebook

Spoiler: Deaths

56-year-old 0.1 Hanako passed away on February 15, 2020, at the Point Defiance Zoo.

Elderly Asian elephant Hanako humanely euthanized | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

72-year-old 0.1 Ambika passed away on March 27, 2020, at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Elderly Asian Elephant Ambika Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo | Smithsonian's National Zoo

50-year-old 0.1 Reba passed away on April 1, 2020, at the Phoenix Zoo.

In Memory of Reba - Phoenix Zoo
Loss of Reba the elephant saddens Phoenix Zoo keeper | The Arizona Republic

45-year-old 0.1 Shanthi passed away on June 26, 2020, at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Female Asian Elephant Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

27-day-old 1.0 Avi passed away on August 2, 2020, at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Asian elephant calf Avi has died | Saint Louis Zoo

49-year-old 0.1 Fritha passed away on September 5, 2020, at Sanctuary For Animals Inc.

It's with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful and natural passing of our beloved elephant Fritha - The Sanctuary For Animals | Facebook
Asian elephant Fritha in Dawn Animal Agency has died, 49 years old - Elephant News

62-year-old 0.1 Peggy passed away on September 28, 2020, at Riddle's Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Peggy has peacefully passed away from natural causes - Riddle's Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

1-year-old 1.0 Ajay passed away on December 8, 2020, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Mourns Loss of Elephant Calf to Herpes Virus - Rosamond Gifford Zoo | Facebook

5-year-old 1.0 Batu passed away on December 11, 2020, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Loses Second Elephant Calf to EEHV - Rosamond Gifford Zoo | Facebook

In addition, it’s time once again to post an updated census of the current population to the thread. To my knowledge, there are 229 (50.179.0) Asian elephants in North America as of January 1, 2021. Of the 229 elephants in North America, 19 (3.16.0) reside at 2 institutions in Canada and 210 (47.163.0) reside at 41 institutions in the United States. However, these numbers are not accurate as 51 (9.42.0) elephants have an uncertain status. The elephants with an uncertain status are italicized in the current population. Any information that could validate the status of these elephants is greatly appreciated.

Spoiler: Population

Canada

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
0.1 Lucy (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

African Lion Safari - Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
1.0 George (Calvin × Phoebe) 1999.10.21
1.0 Johnson (Calvin × Kitty) 2001.04.29
1.0 Onyx (Johnson × Opal) 2018.08.18
0.1 Jenny (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Maggie (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Lilly (Motek × Warda) 1985.01.31
0.1 Natasha (Tusko × Whimpy) 1994.02.27
0.1 Piccolo (Alexander × Lilly) 1994.12.11
0.1 Opal (Rex × Natasha) 2005.11.04
0.1 Emily (Rex × Kitty) 2006.04.23
0.1 Nellie (Johnson × Natasha) 2013.08.02
0.1 Hannah (Johnson × Lilly) 2014.10.19
0.1 Gigi (George × Emily) 2015.02.24
0.1 Anna May (Johnson × Opal) 2015.05.04
0.1 Rose (Johnson × Natasha) 2016.02.28
0.1 Luna (Johnson × Lilly) 2018.08.17
0.1 Sunita (Johnson × Natasha) 2018.11.14
0.1 Imke (Johnson × Lilly) 2020.11.22
Total: 3.15.0 (18)

United States

Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, Arizona, United States
0.1 Indu (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
0.1 Sheena (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Little Rock Zoo - Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
0.1 Zina (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00
0.1 Sophie (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Babe (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Los Angeles Zoo - Los Angeles, California, United States
1.0 Billy (WILD × WILD) 1985.00.00
0.1 Jewel (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00
0.1 Tina (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Shaunzi (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
Total: 1.3.0 (4)

Performing Animal Welfare Society - San Andreas, California, United States
1.0 Prince (Hugo × Me Tu) 1987.05.24
1.0 Nicholas (Tunga × Ronnie) 1993.12.15
0.1 Gypsy (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, United States
0.1 Mary (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00
0.1 Devi (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado, United States
1.0 Groucho (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
1.0 Bodhi (Coco × Phoebe) 2004.04.16
1.0 Billy (Alexander × Yasmin) 2008.02.17
1.0 Chuck (Rex × Mali) 2008.07.15
1.0 Jake (Rex × Natasha) 2009.11.02
Total: 5.0.0 (5)

Commerford Zoo - Goshen, Connecticut, United States
0.1 Minnie (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington, District of Columbia, United States
1.0 Spike (Dahlip × Seetna) 1981.07.02
0.1 Bozie (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Kamala (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Swarna (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Maharani (Bandara × Kamala) 1990.07.14
Total: 1.4.0 (5)

Franzen Brothers Circus - Bushnell, Florida, United States
0.1 Okha (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Elephant Walk - Gainesville, Florida, United States
0.1 Essex (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, United States
1.0 Dahlip (Unknown × Unknown) 1966.08.06
1.0 Ongard (Bong Su × Kulab) 2010.09.10
0.1 Nellie (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

Myakka Elephant Ranch - Myakka City, Florida, United States
0.1 Carol (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Patty (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Center for Elephant Conservation - Polk City, Florida, United States
1.0 Vance (WILD × WILD) 1963.00.00
1.0 Casey (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
1.0 Charlie (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
1.0 Osgood (Charlie × Emma) 1999.08.16
1.0 Gunther (Charlie × Mala) 2001.11.18
1.0 P.T. (Charlie × Josky) 2002.05.21
1.0 Irvin (Charlie × Alana) 2005.06.01
1.0 Barack (Doc × Bonnie) 2009.01.19
0.1 Mysore (WILD × WILD) 1946.00.00
0.1 Aussan (WILD × WILD) 1957.00.00
0.1 Sarah (WILD × WILD) 1957.00.00
0.1 Baby (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00
0.1 Toby (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00
0.1 Cora (Thonglaw × Rosy) 1965.12.03
0.1 Mala (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Sally (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Asia (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Emma (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Alana (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
0.1 Bangko (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Icky (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Siam (WILD × WILD) 1976.00.00
0.1 Tonka (Hugo or Vance × Minyak) 1983.08.23
0.1 Luna (Hugo or Vance × Josky) 1984.01.01
0.1 Juliette (Pete × Icky) 1992.12.30
0.1 Bonnie (Vance × Sid) 1994.10.29
0.1 Shirley (Vance × Mala) 1995.02.19
0.1 Kelly Ann (Vance × Sally) 1996.01.01
0.1 Angelica (Charlie × Icky) 1997.06.23
0.1 Sara (Charlie × Icky) 2001.04.16
0.1 Asha (Charlie × Alana) 2002.03.05
0.1 Aree (Charlie × Mala) 2005.04.21
0.1 Mable (Romeo × Shirley) 2006.04.06
0.1 April (Charlie × Alana) 2010.04.03
0.1 Piper (Romeo × Shirley) 2012.08.13
Total: 8.27.0 (35)

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Tampa, Florida, United States
0.1 Simba (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Tina (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Rosie (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Carina (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Karnaudi (Vance × Carina) 1990.04.13
Total: 0.5.0 (5)

Two Tails Ranch - Williston, Florida, United States
1.0 Smokey (Vance × Mala) 1984.02.02
1.0 Luke (Vance × Tilly) 1985.11.24
0.1 Roxy (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
0.1 Shell (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Patty (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Tika (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Bunny (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Marie (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
Total: 2.6.0 (8)

Wild Adventures - Valdosta, Georgia, United States
0.1 Shirley (WILD × WILD) 1944.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Honolulu Zoo - Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
0.1 Mari (Unknown × Unknown) 1975.07.24
0.1 Vaigai (Unknown × Unknown) 1985.12.24
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Topeka Zoo - Topeka, Kansas, United States
0.1 Cora (WILD × WILD) 1958.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
0.1 Punch (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Audubon Zoo - New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
0.1 Jean (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Jothi (WILD × WILD) 1981.00.00
0.1 Surapa (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Buttonwood Park Zoo - New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
0.1 Ruth (WILD × WILD) 1958.00.00
0.1 Emily (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, Missouri, United States
1.0 Raja (Onyx × Pearl) 1992.12.27
0.1 Donna (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Ellie (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Pearl (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Sri (WILD × WILD) 1980.00.00
0.1 Rani (Indy × Ellie) 1996.07.05
0.1 Maliha (Raja × Ellie) 2006.08.02
0.1 Jade (Raja × Rani) 2007.02.25
0.1 Priya (Raja × Ellie) 2013.04.26
Total: 1.8.0 (9)

Dickerson Park Zoo - Springfield, Missouri, United States
1.0 Indy (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
1.0 Hugo (Tommy × Whimpy) 2011.04.25
0.1 Patience (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
0.1 Moola (Unknown × Unknown) 1981.08.08
Total: 2.2.0 (4)

Carden International Circus - Springfield, Missouri, United States
1.0 Bo (Vance × Sid) 1987.01.22
0.1 Vicky (WILD × WILD) 1961.00.00
0.1 Dutchess (WILD × WILD) 1962.00.00
0.1 Judy (WILD × WILD) 1963.00.00
0.1 Tory (WILD × WILD) 1963.00.00
0.1 Betty (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Cindy (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Janice (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
Total: 1.7.0 (8)

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
1.0 Albert (Calvin × Lilly) 1998.11.29
1.0 Thorn (Samson × Rozana) 2018.05.04
0.1 Irene (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Alice (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
0.1 Rozana (Ranchipur × Alice) 1992.11.08
0.1 Jazmine (Samson × Rozana) 2013.10.02
Total: 2.4.0 (6)

Bronx Zoo - Bronx, New York, United States
0.1 Patty (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Happy (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Syracuse, New York, United States
1.0 Doc (Charlie × Alana) 1997.05.08
0.1 Siri (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Romani (WILD × WILD) 1977.00.00
0.1 Targa (Vance × Birka) 1983.11.23
0.1 Kirina (Indy × Romani) 1995.06.20
0.1 Mali (Indy × Targa) 1997.02.28
Total: 1.5.0 (6)

Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
1.0 Sabu (WILD × WILD) 1988.00.00
0.1 Mai Thai (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Schottzie (Chieng Mai × Buag Hah) 1975.12.15
0.1 Jati (WILD × WILD) 1987.00.00
Total: 1.3.0 (4)

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, United States
1.0 Hank (Vance × Mala) 1988.01.16
1.0 Beco (Coco × Phoebe) 2009.03.27
0.1 Connie (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Phoebe (Motek × Warda) 1987.05.15
0.1 Rudy (Charlie × Sally) 2002.01.29
0.1 Sundara (Charlie × Sally) 2008.11.09
Total: 2.4.0 (6)

Carson & Barnes Circus - Hugo, Oklahoma, United States
0.1 Viola (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Isla (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Becky (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Bunny (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Isa (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Kelly (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Chang (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Lulu (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
Total: 0.8.0 (8)

Endangered Ark Foundation - Hugo, Oklahoma, United States
1.0 Tommy (Vance × Birka) 1992.05.25
1.0 Obert (Buke × Isa) 2003.08.20
1.0 Cameron Lee (Tommy × Whimpy) 2020.08.02
0.1 Suzy (WILD × WILD) 1956.00.00
0.1 Alta (WILD × WILD) 1964.07.11
0.1 Zola (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
0.1 Lillie (WILD × WILD) 1967.00.00
0.1 Libby (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Lisa (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Margaret (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Rosie (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Delrita (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Traci (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Whimpy (WILD × WILD) 1970.00.00
0.1 Val (Tommy × Whimpy) 2007.04.27
0.1 Dori Marie (Tommy × Whimpy) 2015.07.28
Total: 3.13.0 (16)

Oklahoma City Zoo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
1.0 Rex (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
1.0 Kandula (Calvin × Shanthi) 2001.11.25
0.1 Bamboo (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Asha (Onyx × Connie) 1995.02.02
0.1 Chandra (Onyx × Moola) 1996.07.02
0.1 Achara (Rex × Asha) 2014.12.22
0.1 Kairavi (Rex × Asha) 2018.10.09
Total: 2.5.0 (7)

Tulsa Zoo - Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
1.0 Sneezy (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Booper (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
0.1 Sooky (WILD × WILD) 1972.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, United States
1.0 Samson (Calvin × Kitty) 1998.05.04
1.0 Samudra (Tusko × Rose Tu) 2008.08.23
0.1 Sung Surin (Packy × Pet) 1982.12.26
0.1 Chendra (WILD × WILD) 1993.00.00
0.1 Rose Tu (Hugo × Me Tu) 1994.08.31
Total: 2.3.0 (5)

Elephant Sanctuary - Hohenwald, Tennessee, United States
0.1 Shirley (WILD × WILD) 1948.00.00
0.1 Billie (WILD × WILD) 1962.00.00
0.1 Minnie (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Ronnie (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Sissy (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Debbie (WILD × WILD) 1971.00.00
0.1 Tarra (WILD × WILD) 1974.00.00
Total: 0.7.0 (7)

El Paso Zoo - El Paso, Texas, United States
0.1 Savannah (WILD × WILD) 1952.00.00
0.1 Juno (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Fort Worth Zoo - Fort Worth, Texas, United States
1.0 Colonel (Buke × Whimpy) 1991.04.04
1.0 Romeo (Pete × Alana) 1993.01.10
1.0 Bowie (Samson × Bluebonnet) 2013.08.05
0.1 Rasha (WILD × WILD) 1973.00.00
0.1 Angel (Vance × Sally) 1988.12.30
0.1 Bluebonnet (Groucho × Rasha) 1998.12.16
0.1 Belle (Groucho × Rasha) 2013.07.07
Total: 3.4.0 (7)

Hill Country Elephant Preserve - Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
0.1 Dixie (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
0.1 Kitty (WILD × WILD) 1966.00.00
0.1 Tai (WILD × WILD) 1968.00.00
0.1 Rosie (WILD × WILD) 1984.00.00
0.1 Becky (WILD × WILD) 1987.00.00
Total: 0.5.0 (5)

Houston Zoo - Houston, Texas, United States
1.0 Thailand (WILD × WILD) 1965.00.00
1.0 Tucker (Tusko × Tess) 2005.05.12
1.0 Baylor (Thailand × Shanti) 2010.05.04
1.0 Duncan (Thailand × Shanti) 2014.02.07
1.0 Nelson (Thailand × Shanti) 2020.05.12
0.1 Methai (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Tess (WILD × WILD) 1983.00.00
0.1 Shanti (Onyx × Bozie) 1990.10.11
0.1 Tupelo (Thailand × Tess) 2010.10.03
0.1 Joy (Thailand × Shanti) 2017.07.12
0.1 Tilly (Thailand × Tess) 2018.06.17
Total: 5.6.0 (11)

San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio, Texas, United States
0.1 Lucky (WILD × WILD) 1960.00.00
0.1 Karen (WILD × WILD) 1969.00.00
0.1 Nicole (WILD × WILD) 1975.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington, United States
0.1 Suki (WILD × WILD) 1964.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

To more regularly update the thread with the current population, the following document: North American Asian Elephant Population, will be posted every three months (January, April, July, and October).

 

Terrible new from Wild adventures. Shirley dead at 77 years old. She was oldest elephant in America and one of the oldest in the world.
https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-new...n-elephant-dies-at-wild-adventures-theme-park

 

Has her record been confirmed officially (given that when elephants loose their last molars it is a dead end journey and usually that is around 60 YoA?

 

I don't know, however, it is stated everywhere that she was 77 years old, she was born in 1944. In 1946 she was imported to America. Here are the places where she lived:
1947 to 1948 - Bailey Bros. Circus
1949 - Robbins Bros. Circus
1950 to 1951 - King Bros. Circus
1952 to 1953 - King Bros. Cristiani Circus
1954 to 1955 - Bailey Cristiani Circus
1956 to 1959 - Cristiani Bros. Circus
1960 - RBBB South America tour
1961 - Tony Diano farm
1962 to 1963 - Cristiani Wallace Circus
1964 to 1966 - Rudy Bros. Circus
1967 to 1995 - Oscar and Carin Cristiani elephant act
1995 to 2021 - retired at Wild Adventures Animal Park in Valdosta, Ga.

 

She was at least that old. I'm good friends with Carin Cristiani and she believed she was even older.

 

I would be interested in documented evidence as a science evidence based individual. I am sure your friend is great and all, but the wording "believe" makes me a bit uneasy.

It is worthwhile to have an historical fact file of news paper clippings and private records for perusal. Would be a nice science bibliography project.

 

Wonderful news, as I predicted Tupelo is indeed pregnant, along with her mother Tess! Also as I assumed, Tupelo was indeed AI'ed. Tess conceived naturally with Thai.

This is absolutely wonderful news, and continues to show Houston is the absolute powerhouse in the US for Asian Elephant Reproduction now. The births will put them up to 13 animals over 3 generations, with 5 calves under the age of 5!

 

Correct me if I’m wrong but is this going to be tulepo’s first calf?

 

Yes, this is going to be Tupelo's first calf!

 

Correct, it is indeed her first. She's also much better set up than most for her first, considering she has seen four calves born already, and has shown very strong maternal instincts towards them.

 

Who do you guys think the father of her calf could be?

 

Samson has been very popular for AI in the US for the past several years (I think he's an eager provider, if you catch my drift...)

That said, I truly hope it isn't Samson. He's very, very well represented at this point in time and really doesn't need to be breeding outside of his own facility right now. (Honestly if it was up to me, I would move him into bachelor holding and bring a new bull to Oregon too, but that's not relevant to this).

Other potential and likely options would be Groucho at Denver (when he was originally sent to Denver, it was under the guise he would be used for AI, amongst other things), and Ongard at Miami (he's a bit on the younger side, he would have been just a few months shy of 9 years old at the time of collection. There's definitely a good chance he could have been fertile at that point, though!). Sneezy at Tulsa is also a strong contender, he has had semen collected for AI in the past, and is fairly close to Houston, relatively speaking.

Less likely, but still possible options include Hank at Columbus, Rex at OKC and Albert at ABQ. All of them are also trained for semen collection.

Personally, I hope they pulled a move completely out of left field and used semen from Dahlip at Miami, but sadly I don't think that's the case.

 

Or even more left field and Billy from LA! Wishful thinking of course...

 

BIG NEWS!!!

The Houston Zoo just announced that two of their elephants are expecting this spring!!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=761610734757658

More Elephants to Love at the Houston Zoo - The Houston Zoo

The two expectant mothers are 10-year-old Tupelo, who's expecting her first calf in about two months, and 38-year-old Tess, who's expecting her fifth calf in about three months.

Tupelo conceived through artificial insemination, since she's related to all the bulls at the zoo, while her mother Tess conceived after breeding with Thailand, the Houston Zoo's 56-year-old breeding bull.

 

The population has lost yet another dame...

73-year-old 0.1 Shirley passed away on February 22, 2021, at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Remembering Shirley - EleNotes - The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

With Shirley's recent passing, in addition to the passing of Shirley at Wild Adventures, the oldest Asian elephants in North America are:

1) 75-year-old (Born in 1946) 0.1 Mysore (Center for Elephant Conservation)
2) 69-year-old (Born in 1952) 0.1 Savannah (El Paso Zoo)
3) 65-year-old (Born in 1956) 0.1 Suzy (Endangered Ark Foundation)
4.a) 64-year-old (Born in 1957) 0.1 Aussan (Center for Elephant Conservation)
4.b) 64-year-old (Born in 1957) 0.1 Sarah (Center for Elephant Conservation)
5.a) 63-year-old (Born in 1958) 0.1 Cora (Topeka Zoo)
5.b) 63-year-old (Born in 1958) 0.1 Ruth (Buttonwood Park Zoo)
6) 61-year-old (Born in 1960) 0.1 Lucky (San Antonio Zoo)

Also worth noting are the oldest Asian elephant bulls in North America:

1) 58-year-old (Born in 1963) 1.0 Vance (Center for Elephant Conservation)
2) 56-year-old (Born in 1965) 1.0 Thailand (Houston Zoo)
3) 55-year-old (Born in 1966) 1.0 Dahlip (Miami Zoo)
4) 53-year-old (Born in 1968) 1.0 Rex (Oklahoma City Zoo)
5) 51-year-old (Born in 1970) 1.0 Groucho (Denver Zoo)

 

Very sad news. This is another lady over 70 this year. With Ambika's death last year, the oldest elephants in America left us at a very similar time. The last of the old ladies over 70 is only Mysore. I wish you good health.

 

Phoebe at the Columbus Zoo is pregnant and is due in June!!
"Tons" of Excitement at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Asian Elephant, Phoebe, to Welcome Calf This Summer

 

Absolutely wonderful news!

2020/2021/2022 are set to be absolutely excellent years for asian elephant births in North America, with the majority of breeding females on the continent producing calves. Fingers crossed for good success for all.

 

Current Confirmed Pregnancies:

Tupelo (Houston), due in April 2021
Tess (Houston), due in May 2021
Phoebe (Columbus), due in June 2021
Asha (OKC), due in Feb 2022

Likely Pregnant but not confirmed:

Opal (ALS), due anytime now?
Natasha (ALS), due anytime now?

Possibly Pregnant:

Rose-Tu (Oregon)
Bluebonnet (Fort Worth)
Rozie (ABQ)
Rudy (Columbus)
Sundara (Columbus)
Rani (STL)
Jade (STL) (Maybe A.I. like Tupelo)
Maliha (STL) (Maybe A.I. like Tupelo)

Maybe Pregnant (unlikely but possible):
Mali (Syracuse)
Maharani (Smithsonian)
Chandra (OKC)

 

Just a little update on the Fort Worth situation:

Fort Worth has officially cancelled their deal with the African Lion Safari to import two female elephants, Emily (2006) and Nellie (2013). The plan was for them to be sent to Fort Worth to breed.

Zoos Cancel Abusive Elephant Transfer Following Worst Zoos Ranking - Veg World Magazine