North American Asian Elephant Population

BTW: It is an European model and not necessarily British only! Also, the species coordinator and studbook holder has been Rotterdam's Blijdorp Zoo for yonkers years.

 

I'm sorry, @Kifaru Bwana, I'm well aware of Europe's management models as a whole, so I certainly didn't mean to give sole credit to the British. I think I've been a bit lazy in not delving into the families at each European zoo, bc I can read a bit of several languages. Is your studbook available for the public to see? That's how I learned the geneology and location of all Asians here, but now there is no way to access our studbooks, as the SSP fears it could be misused by activists. Can you tell me how I might access Europe's studbook?

PS, I did make my thinking clear and cited ALS and Europe's models as the ones we should follow later in the post! Kudos to Rotterdam for maintaining the studbook for so long. It's a heavy task, and here it's been rotated around, from Oregon to St. Louis and back to Oregon.

 

I doubt OKC will move Kandula elsewhere. He is the future successor of the old Rex. It is planned to breed with Asha's daughters. OKC claims that is gaining experience from Rex. Raja does not have to leave, they can have two bulls (if they have enough space). Dahlip is old and will stay in Miami for the rest of his life. Ongard is still too young. Billy is not likely to let go of LA, it is better for them to get breeding cows. Groucho currently lives as a leader of the bachelor group and teaches young bulls. However, it is also used for AI. But Bodhi is an option. He is already 15 years old and was not incorporated for breeding! Another option is Spike from Washington, who could be relocated when Maharani becomes pregnant because he is genetically valuable. However, a very good decision would be to relocate the bull Sabu-Hit from Cinncinati. He has had offsprings, but none of them is alive and therefore has no genetic representation at all !!! There is still the possibility of Sneezy of Tulsa, who also has unrepresented genes, but that is very unlikely.
I don't think Ellie gets pregnant yet. She is 48 years old and in zoos it is uncommon for cows to have calves at this age (although theoretically possible).

 

Elephant Update: Caring for Shanthi
Shanti's getting worse off. Even Ambika is now more active than her. I noticed that she was almost out of motion and had very stiff legs.

 

This is sadly what I reported in my October post. When I asked deliberately whether the elephant and vet teams thought she was close to that "red line" where her comfort can no longer be maintained, he said yes. She was not lying down to sleep or swimming even at that point. This article is clearly to prepare the public. I watch the Twitter account every day for news, but I'll never be prepared to lose her.

 

Shanthi was always a mainstay at the National Zoo every time I visited. Kandula and I were born on the same year, oddly enough. I hope Shanthi's had the highest quality of life the National Zoo could provide.

 

I truly believe she has, at least according to what was known at the time. Concrete substrates are now known to have caused arthritis in elephants, just as small stalls led to repetitive movements. The more everyone learned, the more the AZA and NZP responded. The new elephant habitat changed the number of things to do, substrates, size of areas to roam, enrichment, and medical care. The number of landmark treatments tried on Shanthi previously not used with elephants shows how far they have been willing to go to find combinations of things that will work. I suffer from severe early-onset osteoarthritis which is resistant to NSAIDS, and I would very much appreciate some of the experimental things tried on Shanthi. The only possible treatment I have not heard being tried is acupuncture, which has had proven results on SD's Tembo. And of course surgical options such as carpal replacement or ablation of spinal nerves that could reduce some pain is not possible in an animal so large or unknown.. Cortisone is usually used cautiously because of side effects on the immune system and the fact that the body becomes ennured to it and more is required to achieve the same effect. Now I presume that "long-term" is no longer a reasonable consideration and they can prescribe more liberally to make her comfortable. Shanthi has been much, much more than an ambassador for her species. She gave birth to the calf whose demise led to the identification of EEHV, and her second calf was the first conceived by AI. We owe a lot to this magnificent animal. In addition to loving her.

 

Actually the "big study" that you are referring too showed that enclosure size and substrate are not factor and in fact it has to do with management styles. It always looks better to the paying public and personally, if given the choice, I would have elephants on dirt and larger indoor space but it's a non factor in husbandry success.

 

I think the studies I'm thinking of predate yours. Everything we've learned about positive reinforcement and husbandry has made the lives of elephants incredibly better. There is no doubt, too, that the small stalls predating 1995 led to stereotypical behaviors, so larger, more enriching spaces have also brought huge improvement. (Shanthi herself had a swinging behavior in which she lifted that arthritic wrist on the upswing--and I didn't see any vestiges of it for years preceding my October visit). I think, however, the frenzy to replace substrates turned out to be a bit hasty. Elephants have died with sand in their guts. For many years when my daughter was a budding zoologist, we spent many weekday hours watching husbandry and bending elephant manager Marie Galloway's ear. I will probably miss Shanthi more than just about anyone, yet I feel the zoo has done right by her.

 

With this article, the zoo really tried to say that its end is coming. But she really contributed to many important findings (EEHV, the first succesful AI attempt). She really deserved a lot, thank her very much. Unfortunately, it is sad that she does not live to be too old - she is 43 years old (I consider elephants over 50 to be very old elephants). It is not too old. Years ago I wouldn't really expect Ambika to be not the first elephant to die (she's 71 years old!). But now it looks like Shanti will be the first ...

 

Latest examination recommends Lucy stay at Edmonton Valley Zoo
Lucy in Edmonton is ill and activists still want to get her to the shrine. Reckless to animals. The move would probably not survive, so I'm glad she'll stay in Edmonton.

 

Could you please not post stuff like this in addition to the zoo's threads? Its just spam. I thought for a moment Lucy died because of it..

 

It's not really spam, but I had the same reaction to the article posted about Shanthi's care. I initially thought she had been euthanized.

 

The Secret Live of the Zoo episodes of their 7th and 8th seasons are slowly popping up in their rotation here in the US. With episode 1 of season 8, I have now learned for the first time what protocols Chester used on Indali's recent near-death encounter with EEHV. After losing 7 calves to EEHV, Chester knew they had about 24 hours to turn things around before death would come quickly, so they were not averse to trying treatments untested on elephants. We knew at the time that the staff gave Indali plasma spun down from her father's bank of blood donations; these white cells provide the body's ability to fight infection. This is not a new technique, however; in fact, it's derived from holistic medicine practices that use the body to treat itself with virtually no risk. Indeed, 20 years ago, I had similar tubes of centrifuged serum in my freezer, at the ready for the event of frequent corneal injuries in a houseful of playful dogs with protruding eyes. So I was pleased, but a bit surprised that this alone could be what cured Indali, as it has no doubt been tried before. So what made the difference? What they did that was groundbreaking was the use of Interferon. Interferon is a protein that stimulates antiviral response in cells. In humans, it's used in cancer treatment, but this was the first time Interferon has been used in elephants. The key is stimulating antiviral activity, which is spot on for this virus. Famcyclovir has been the drug of choice for years, which is an antiviral, but one typically used with weaker human herpes strains. Interferon seems to promote the body itself to produce antiviral attack on all viruses. A few elephants have survived EEHV here in the US, but nothing consistent--and now of course things are even worse with the Indianapolis African calves succombing to the disease. There have been many steps back, but a wise calculation to use Interferon clearly saved Indali's life. This is not merely good news for Chester, but for us all. Something readily available and hitherto never used is now a proven weapon in the arsenal to use in the fight against EEHV.

Bravo, and thank you, Chester!

 

Another year has come and gone, and it’s once again time to update the thread with an overview of the transfers, births, and deaths within the North American population of Asian elephants.

Between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, there were three deaths, one birth, and one transfer within the North American population of Asian elephants. The population had its ups, with the birth of a bull calf through natural reproduction, and downs, with the miscarriage of a long awaited pregnancy at the Oregon Zoo, over the past year. In addition, the transfer of an adolescent bull enabled the Dickerson Park Zoo to grow their herd and enhance their herd dynamics.

Spoiler: 2019 Transfers, Births, & Deaths:

Transfers:

1.0 Hugo was transferred from the Endangered Ark Foundation to the Dickerson Park Zoo on June 14, 2019.
Dickerson Park Zoo welcomes five thousand pound toddler | KY3

Births:

0.1 Mali gave birth to a male calf named Ajay on January 15, 2019 at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. 1.0 Doc (Rosamond Gifford Zoo) is the sire.
Newest addition announced at Rosamond Gifford Zoo | WSTM

Deaths:

55 year old 0.1 Panya passed away on March 7, 2019 at the Audubon Zoo.
Audubon Zoo Mourns the Loss of Beloved Elephant | Audubon Nature Institute

54 year old 0.1 Beulah passed away on September 15, 2019 at the Commerford Zoo.
Animal Rights Group Seeks Expedited Court Hearing After Death of Zoo Elephant | Connecticut Law Tribune

48 year old 0.1 Little Mac passed away on September 25, 2019 at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Goodbye, Little Mac - Santa Barbara Zoo

Other:

0.1 Chendra miscarried 8 months into her pregnancy in September 2019 at the Oregon Zoo. 1.0 Samson (Oregon Zoo) and 1.0 Samudra (Oregon Zoo) were the potential sires.
Zoo cares for Asian elephant Chendra after miscarriage | Oregon Zoo

Furthermore, it’s once again time to update the thread with the current population of Asian elephants in North America. As of January 1, 2020, there are 229 (50.179) Asian elephants in North America. Currently, 135 (35.100) Asian elephants reside at 29 accredited institutions while 94 (15.79) Asian elephants reside at 15 unaccredited institutions.

The following data may have inaccuracies as the status of 66 (12.54) Asian elephants have not been updated since the last studbook publication. The Asian elephants with an outdated status are italicized. Any information regarding the status of these Asian elephants would improve the validity of the data in the thread.

Spoiler: Current Population:

Spoiler: Accredited Institutions:

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 1966.00.00
0.1 Maggie 1968.00.00
0.1 Lilly (Motek × Warda) 1985.01.31
0.1 Natasha (Tusko × Whimpy) 1994.02.27
0.1 Piccolina (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
Total: 3.14.0 (17)

Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
0.1 Indu 1965.00.00
0.1 Reba 1970.00.00
0.1 Sheena 1971.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Little Rock Zoo - Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
0.1 Zina 1961.00.00
0.1 Sophie 1969.00.00
0.1 Babe 1976.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Los Angeles Zoo - Los Angeles, California, USA
1.0 Billy 1985.00.00
0.1 Jewel 1964.00.00
0.1 Tina 1966.00.00
0.1 Shaunzi 1970.00.00
Total: 1.3.0 (4)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, USA
0.1 Mary 1964.00.00
0.1 Devi 1977.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado, USA
1.0 Groucho 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)

Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington, D.C, USA
1.0 Spike (Dahlip × Seetna) 1981.07.02
0.1 Ambika 1948.00.00
0.1 Kamala 1975.00.00
0.1 Swarna 1975.00.00
0.1 Bozie 1975.00.00
0.1 Shanthi 1975.00.00
0.1 Maharani (Bandara × Kamala) 1990.07.14
Total: 1.6.0 (7)

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

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, USA
1.0 Dahlip 1966.08.06
1.0 Ongard (Bong Su × Kulab) 2010.09.10
0.1 Nelly 1969.00.00
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

Honolulu Zoo - Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
0.1 Mari 1975.07.24
0.1 Vaigai 1985.12.24
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Topeka Zoo - Topeka, Kansas, USA
0.1 Cora 1958.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, USA
0.1 Punch 1970.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

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

Buttonwood Park Zoo - New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
0.1 Ruth 1958.00.00
0.1 Emily 1964.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Saint Louis Zoo - St Louis, Missouri, USA
1.0 Raja (Onyx × Pearl) 1992.12.27
0.1 Donna 1971.00.00
0.1 Pearl 1971.00.00
0.1 Ellie 1971.00.00
0.1 Sri 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, USA
1.0 Indy 1972.00.00
1.0 Hugo (Tommy × Whimpy) 2011.04.25
0.1 Patience 1974.00.00
0.1 Moola 1981.00.00
Total: 2.2.0 (4)

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
1.0 Albert (Calvin × Lilly) 1998.11.29
1.0 Thorn (Samson × Rozana) 2018.05.04
0.1 Irene 1967.00.00
0.1 Alice 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, USA
0.1 Patty 1970.00.00
0.1 Happy 1971.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Syracuse, New York, USA
1.0 Doc (Charlie × Alana) 1997.05.08
1.0 Batu (Doc × Mali) 2015.05.12
1.0 Ajay (Doc × Mali) 2019.01.15
0.1 Siri 1968.00.00
0.1 Romani 1975.00.00
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: 3.5.0 (8)

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

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, USA
1.0 Hank (Vance × Mala) 1988.01.16
1.0 Beco (Coco × Phoebe) 2009.03.27
0.1 Connie 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)

Oklahoma City Zoo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Rex 1968.00.00
1.0 Kandula (Calvin × Shanthi) 2001.11.25
0.1 Bamboo 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, USA
1.0 Sneezy 1971.00.00
0.1 Sooky 1972.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, USA
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 1993.00.00
0.1 Rose Tu (Hugo × Me Tu) 1994.08.31
Total: 2.3.0 (5)

El Paso Zoo - El Paso, Texas, USA
0.1 Savannah 1952.00.00
0.1 Juno 1968.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Fort Worth Zoo - Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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 1971.00.00
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)

Houston Zoo - Houston, Texas, USA
1.0 Thai 1965.00.00
1.0 Tucker (Tusko × Tess) 2005.05.12
1.0 Baylor (Thai × Shanti) 2010.05.04
1.0 Duncan (Thai × Shanti) 2014.02.07
0.1 Methai 1969.00.00
0.1 Tess 1983.00.00
0.1 Shanti (Onyx × Bozie) 1990.10.11
0.1 Tupelo (Thai × Tess) 2010.10.03
0.1 Joy (Thai × Shanti) 2017.07.12
0.1 Tilly (Thai × Tess) 2018.06.17
Total: 4.6.0 (10)

San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio, Texas, USA
0.1 Lucky 1960.00.00
0.1 Karen 1969.00.00
0.1 Nicole 1975.00.00
Total: 0.3.0 (3)

Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington, USA
0.1 Hanako (Thonglaw × Tuy Hoa) 1963.09.24
0.1 Suki 1964.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Spoiler: Unaccredited Institutions:

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

Riddles Elephant Sanctuary - Quitman, Arkansas, USA
0.1 Peggy 1958.00.00
0.1 Betty Boop 1972.00.00
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

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

Commerford Zoo - Goshen, Connecticut, USA
0.1 Minnie 1972.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Franzen Brothers Circus - Bushell, Florida, USA
0.1 Okha 1970.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Elephant Walk - Gainesville, Florida, USA
0.1 Essex 1974.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Center for Elephant Conservation - Polk City, Florida, USA
1.0 Vance 1963.00.00
1.0 Casey 1971.00.00
1.0 Charlie 1973.00.00
1.0 Smokey (Vance × Mala) 1984.02.02
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 1946.00.00
0.1 Sarah 1957.00.00
0.1 Aussan 1957.00.00
0.1 Toby 1961.00.00
0.1 Baby 1961.00.00
0.1 Cora (Thonglaw × Rosy) 1965.12.03
0.1 Mala 1967.00.00
0.1 Sally 1967.00.00
0.1 Asia 1968.00.00
0.1 Emma 1972.00.00
0.1 Alana 1975.00.00
0.1 Siam 1976.00.00
0.1 Bangko 1976.00.00
0.1 Icky 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 Juliet (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) 2004.04.06
0.1 April (Charlie × Alana) 2010.04.03
0.1 Piper (Romeo × Shirley) 2012.08.13
Total: 9.27.0 (36)

Two Tails Ranch - Williston, Florida, USA
1.0 Luke (Vance × Tilly) 1985.11.24
0.1 Roxy 1965.00.00
0.1 Shell 1965.00.00
0.1 Patty 1971.00.00
0.1 Tika 1971.00.00
0.1 Bunny 1972.00.00
0.1 Marie 1973.00.00
Total: 1.6.0 (7)

Wild Adventures - Valdosta, Georgia, USA
0.1 Shirley 1944.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

George Carden Circus - Springfield, Missouri, USA
1.0 Bo (Vance × Sid) 1987.01.22
0.1 Vicky 1961.00.00
0.1 Dutchess 1962.00.00
0.1 Judy 1963.00.00
0.1 Tory 1963.00.00
0.1 Jenny 1965.00.00
0.1 Betty 1969.00.00
0.1 Cindy 1971.00.00
0.1 Janice 1971.00.00
Total: 1.8.0 (9)

Sanctuary for Animals - Westtown, New York, USA
0.1 Fritha 1974.00.00
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Carson & Barnes Circus - Hugo, Oklahoma, USA
0.1 Minnie 1948.00.00
0.1 Zola 1965.00.00
0.1 Isla 1968.00.00
0.1 Tracy 1970.00.00
0.1 Isa 1970.00.00
0.1 Kelly 1970.00.00
0.1 Chang 1972.00.00
0.1 Becky 1972.00.00
0.1 Lulu 1975.00.00
0.1 Val (Tommy × Whimpy) 2007.04.27
Total: 0.10.0 (10)

Endangered Ark Foundation - Hugo, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Tommy (Vance × Birka) 1992.05.25
1.0 Obert (Buke × Isa) 2003.08.20
0.1 Alta 1964.07.11
0.1 Lillie 1967.00.00
0.1 Rosie 1969.00.00
0.1 Margaret 1969.00.00
0.1 Whimpy 1970.00.00
0.1 Del Rita 1970.00.00
0.1 Dori Marie (Tommy × Whimpy) 2015.07.28
Total: 2.7.0 (9)

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

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

With inspiration from @EsserWarrior, the following link will enable others to view the updated population of Asian elephants in North America: Current North American Asian Elephant Population. When a transfer, birth, or death occurs within the population, the document will be updated but the link will only be posted to the thread every three months (January, April, July, and October).

 

This is wonderful work again, @Elephant Enthusiast. What a resource to have all this available in one place. I could be wrong with no studbook available, but I don't think they use the word "unaccredited.". I seem to recall it was something like "Affiliated," since several have transferred elephants to other facilities at the SSP's directive (Hugo, Hank, many Ringling) and have been very cooperative.

What strikes me most here is the complete stop in 2012 of very successful reproduction at Ringling. With all their reproductive-age females, it's mystifying how none could have gotten pregnant in 8 years. I know they AI'd the performing girls on the road just before they stopped performing, so perhaps around 2016. Even if these 10 or so had received birth control for so long that it permanently stunted their fertility, there are still all the young ones who, except Piper at 8, could have been bred by now. It seems like an impossibly poor success rate, as if they haven't been trying. Their sister Rudy (18) and Sunny (12) in Columbus should have also been pregnant by now. Even proven Romeo hasn't sired a calf since he went to Fort Worth. This just seems more and more peculiar to me.

I notice that are still quite a few institutions with 1 or 2 elephants, not meeting the AZA minimum of 3. Does anyone know of special reasons to make these exceptions when others, like Buffalo, had to send Surapa and Johti away? Yes, maybe Mari and Vaigai are allowed to stay in Haweii because they're the only elephants in that very remote state. But offhand, I can't really think of reasons that weren't used on zoos who were forced to comply. Yes a couple like SDZ have an African to account for a third, but not all the rest. I continue to be fascinated by how enforcement is decided in these cases.

Yes, it's frustrating that we're missing data on the elephants from the three circuses and one's affiliated foundation. On the surface, it wouldn't seem difficult to update Carson and Barnes and Endangered Ark, because as a legal not-for-profit, the Endangered Ark must make its filings public--and the elephants count as long-term depreciable assets. But from the videos I've seen, they are just so darn nice that they'd probably eagerly tell anyone asked how all of its circus and foundation animals are doing. In a similar sense, George Carden is at least still in business, so certainly long-term visitors might know well who they're still seeing under the big tent. But Ringling has seemingly dropped off the face of the Earth. I think of Mysore, who would be 74 this year, and wonder if she's still with us

This year's update, though, brought me news to celebrate. One is a new elephant, Okha, from the Franzen Brothers Circus, who I never knew about! I also noticed for the very first time--for some reason--that Carson and Barnes' Minnie is also a septuagenarian! That means we have five grand old ladies who celebrated a birthday in the 70s yesterday! NZP's Ambika, Minnie, and Shirley from the Elephant Sanctuary all celebrated 72 years of life; if Ringling's Myesore is still alive, she turned 74; and Shirley of Wild Adventure Valdosta celebrated her 76th birthday! This makes them even more special as animal ambassadors in my book, although we know I'm unapologetically fond of one in particular!

 

I can say that 2019 was not favorable for Asian elephants in America. Only one born elephant at Rosamond Gifford Zoo and the abortion of Chendra in Oregon. Unfortunately, I don't know if Chendra gave birth to a calf or remained in the body.
Fortunately, no young elephant died, only three old cows (Panya in Audubon, Circus cow Beulah and Little Mac in Santa Barbara).
At present, one cow is pregnant, and this is Rani in Saint Louis, who will have a calf again after 9 years.

It's really strange why Ringling elephants don't reproduce. Previously they were successful in breeding, now nothing. And they have many breeding cows. Romeo in Fort Worth has probably not got the opportunity to breed, because Rasha is probably too old for calves, Belle is young and Blue Bonnet is afraid of bulls, so he can only get pregnant through AI. In Columbus, however, Rudy and Sunny should multiply. But the only partner is still young Beco, because Hank did not prove.

About cows that should have a calf, I write here: North American Asian Elephant Reproduction

 

I knew Bluebonnet had to be AI'd, and that two donors are always used, but it's odd that he has not been the sire either time. He sired Mable and Piper at Ringling.

What do you mean "Hank did not prove?". Either his or Samson's sperm sired Phoebe's calf who died shortly after birth, and I thought he had been proven before he came to Columbus? In any event, they check the viability of sperm when collected before it's used in AI, which means he passed that test. I know Hank reached 17,000 pounds, which could make natural breeding, um, difficult for a young female, but there's certainly no reason Sunny and Rudy couldn't be AI'd with his sperm. Hank is nearly 25 years older than Become; it's vital they use Hank while he's alive and save Beco for Sunny/Rudy/Hank girls. I'm sure that must be the plan.

 

I meant that Hank 's semen can be used by AI, he does not mate with cows. It should be used while cows are still young. Naturally they can be bred with Beco, but it would be better to perform AI before Beco gets older.
Why Romeo was not used for AI in Forth Worth I do not know.

 

I'm sure he was, but since two donors are always used as a failsafe, it was the other donor whose sperm actually fertilized the eggs, Groucho and Albert or Samson's, I believe.