North American Asian Elephant Population

The keepers want the name Lizzie as well, so all the better!

 

I chose Kobie for her name.

 

I voted Ellie for her name. Also I’m happy that Phoebe FINALLY had a baby girl after raising 3 male calf’s. This year seems to be a great breeding season for Asian elephants and now maybe the zoo population has a chance with the birth of I believe 6 Asian elephant calf’s born this year and two from last year!!

 

With Elephant Enthusiast's painstaking work at the beginning of this draft, we'll much more easily notice trends both good and bad. It's great to be thinking of a positive direction, but that's always tempered by loss of the elderly and, more deadly, EEHV. Even as we find reasons for celebration, Kenzie and Lily will be sorely missed.

 

The elephant calf in Columbus has died

Columbus Zoo announces sudden death of elephant calf

 

This is not good news. We all had our hopes up, but now this...

 

I seriously now think Columbus isn’t breeding their animals right. The giraffes are one thing but now this! This is so disappointing

 

Sort of an ignorant thing to say. Baby megafauna have a relatively high mortality rate. Could have happened to any zoo.

 

Sad, sad news. I was ready to take road trip in the summer to see her. But something will be learned from this. Back around 1995 when the National Zoo's new calf Kumari died at around 16 months of age, it was devastating to all of us. Kumari's death, though, led to zoo scientists discovering EEHV. Smithsonian biologists at the Zoo's off-campus research facility in VA developed a test still used today, to diagnose the virus. When calves like Lily or Kenzie start to show symptoms, a blood sample is immediately sent to DC while a course of tramcyvlovir is begun. Scientists have been working for years to better understand this virus toward a cure and a vaccine. If this little one's sudden death, for instance, is EEHV-related, it would be a shocking new development, as it's always been thought that newborns are still under the effects of mom's immune system is. Every death brings more information to use in this fight.

It would seem to be too early to be
EEHV, but every part of a multi-factorial case will be examined. Phoebe has had 3 male calves over two decades and is a good mother; I doubt this death is due to her mothering, but milk let-down can affect new mom's and mothers who had a long gaps since their last calf. The necropsy will show if there is some genetic abnormality, and if so, for example, which of the sperm donors to use with caution. Her death was not in vain.

Phoebe's calf has already provided new case information about artificial insemination. This birth was the first by AI in Columbus, but it was DC's (now OKC's) Kandula in 2002 who was the first ever elephant calf to be successfully conceived this way. These deaths feel tragic to us--and they are--but let's feel a bit better knowing that her contributions will have impact on breeding the species more successfully going forward. Kumari and the identification of EEHV show us that all the calves who have died contribute mightily to chances of saving this species.

 

It's with great sadness that the 20 day old female calf passed away on December 26, 2018 at the Columbus Zoo.
Columbus Zoo Heartbroken After Sudden Death of Elephant Calf

With the passing of the calf, there are a few questions:
Will the calf still recieve a name despite her passing?
Will the zoo still announce the paternity of the calf?
Will the calf's autopsy results actually be announced publicly?

 

I really hope they do allow the public to know what happened. It's a real shame that this calf passed, I can't imagine how the staff must be feeling. I wish them all the best.

 

The purpose of this post is to provide an overview of the transfers, births, and deaths that occurred in the North American population of Asian elephants.

In 2018, the North American Asian elephant population had five transfers, six births, and seven deaths. This past year had its ups, with the birth of six calves and the importation of a young bull from Australia, and downs, with the death of three invaluable female calves. Furthermore, the transfer of two breeding bulls were significant as it enabled the Smithsonian National Zoo and the Oregon Zoo to reestablish their breeding program. Overall, 2018 was a successful year for the reproduction of the species and the growth of the population.

Transfers:

1.0 Spike was transferred from Busch Gardens Tampa to the Smithsonian National Zoo on March 23, 2018.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Welcomes Male Asian Elephant | Smithsonian's National Zoo

1.0 Samson was transferred from the Albuquerque Zoo to the Oregon Zoo on April 10, 2018.
Asian elephant Samson has a new home at the Oregon Zoo | Oregon Zoo

1.0 Ongard was transferred from the Melbourne Zoo to the Miami Zoo on May 9, 2018.
Zoo Miami Welcomes New Endangered Asian Elephant From Australia « CBS Miami

1.0 Chuck and 1.0 Jake were transferred from the African Lion Safari to the Denver Zoo on September ?, 2018.
Jake and Chuck - Denver Zoo

0.1 Jothi and 0.1 Surapa were transferred from the Buffalo Zoo to the Audubon Zoo on ?, ?, 2018.
Audubon Zoo Welcomes New Elephants from Buffalo Zoo

Births:

0.1 Rozana gave birth to a male calf named Thorn on May 4, 2018 at the Albuquerque Zoo. The sire is 1.0 Samson (Oregon Zoo).
Trumpeted arrival: Baby elephant born at ABQ BioPark Zoo | Albuquerque Journal

0.1 Tess gave birth to a female calf named Tilly on June 17, 2018 at the Houston Zoo. The sire is 1.0 Thai (Houston Zoo).
Baby Elephant Tilly, Born on Father’s Day - The Houston Zoo

0.1 Lilly gave birth to a female calf named Luna on August 17, 2018 at the African Lion Safari. The sire is 1.0 Johnson (African Lion Safari).
Two Baby Elephants | African Lion Safari - Cambridge Ontario

0.1 Opal gave birth to a male calf named Onyx on August 18, 2018 at the African Lion Safari. The sire is 1.0 Johnson (African Lion Safari).
Two Baby Elephants | African Lion Safari - Cambridge Ontario

0.1 Asha gave birth to a female calf named Kairavi on October 9, 2018 at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The sire is 1.0 Rex (Oklahoma City Zoo).
And baby makes seven.... OKC Zoo celebrates new addition to Asian elephant herd

0.1 Phoebe gave birth to a female calf named Ellie on December 6, 2018 at the Columbus Zoo. The sire is either 1.0 Hank (Columbus Zoo) or 1.0 Samson (Oregon Zoo).
Columbus Zoo Announces Birth of Baby Elephant

Deaths:

Sixty seven year old 0.1 Gunda passed away on January 22, 2018 at the Tulsa Zoo.
Tulsa Zoo Mourns Loss of Beloved Gunda | Tulsa Zoo

Six year old 0.1 Kenzi passed away on February 24, 2018 at the Saint Louis Zoo.
Asian Elephant Kenzi | Saint Louis Zoo

Fifty eight year old 0.1 Sunda passed away on September 12, 2018 at the Topeka Zoo.
Topeka Zoo's elephant Sunda has died at 58

Forty seven year old 0.1 Sujatha passed away on October 16, 2018 at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Sujatha (1971-2018) - Santa Barbara Zoo

Forty eight year old 0.1 Maxine passed away on November 20, 2018 at the Bronx Zoo.
Maxine, A 48-Year-Old Asian Elephant, Has Been Euthanized at the Bronx Zoo > Newsroom

Five year old 0.1 Lily passed away on November 29, 2018 at the Oregon Zoo.
Zoo heartbroken as 6-year-old Lily succumbs to virus | Oregon Zoo

Twenty day old 0.1 Ellie passed away on December 26, 2018 at the Columbus Zoo.
Columbus Zoo Heartbroken After Sudden Death of Elephant Calf

 

The purpose of this post is to update the current population of Asian elephants in North America.

As of January 1, 2018, there are 230 (49.181) Asian elephants in North America. Of those 230 Asian elephants, 135 (33.102) elephants reside at accredited facilities while 95 (16.79) elephants reside at non accredited facilities.

African Lion Safari - Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
1.0 George (Calvin x Phoebe) 1999-10-21
1.0 Johnson (Calvin x Kitty) 2001-04-29
1.0 Onyx (Johnson x Opal) 2018-08-18
0.1 Jenny 1966-00-00
0.1 Maggie 1968-00-00
0.1 Lilly (Motek x Warda) 1985-01-31
0.1 Natasha (Tusko x Whimpy) 1994-02-27
0.1 Piccolina (Alexander x Lilly) 1994-12-11
0.1 Opal (Rex x Natasha) 2005-11-04
0.1 Emily (Rex x Kitty) 2006-04-23
0.1 Nellie (Johnson x Natasha) 2013-08-02
0.1 Hannah (Johnson x Lilly) 2014-10-19
0.1 Gigi (George x Emily) 2015-02-24
0.1 Anna May (Johnson x Opal) 2015-05-04
0.1 Rose (Johnson x Natasha) 2016-02-28
0.1 Luna (Johnson x Lilly) 2018-08-17

Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
0.1 Indu 1965-00-00
0.1 Reba 1970-00-00
0.1 Sheena 1971-00-00

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

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

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, USA
0.1 Mary 1964-00-00
0.1 Devi 1977-00-00

Santa Barbara Zoo - Santa Barbara, California, USA
0.1 Little Mac 1971-00-00

Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado, USA
1.0 Groucho 1970-00-00
1.0 Bodhi (Coco x Phoebe) 2004-04-16
1.0 Billy (Alexander x Yasmin) 2008-02-17
1.0 Chuck (Rex x Mali) 2008-07-15
1.0 Jake (Rex x Natasha) 2009-11-02

Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington, D.C, USA
1.0 Spike (Dahlip x 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 1976-00-00
0.1 Maharani (Bandara x Kamala) 1990-07-14

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 x Carina) 1990-04-13

Miami Zoo - Miami, Florida, USA
1.0 Dahlip 1966-08-06
1.0 Ongard (Bong Su x Kulab) 2010-09-10
0.1 Nelly 1969-00-00

Honolulu Zoo - Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
0.1 Mari 1975-07-24
0.1 Vaigai 1985-12-24

Topeka Zoo - Topeka, Kansas, USA
0.1 Cora 1958-00-00

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, USA
0.1 Punch 1970-00-00

Audubon Zoo - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
0.1 Panya 1964-00-00
0.1 Jean 1972-00-00
0.1 Jothi 1981-00-00
0.1 Surapa 1983-00-00

Buttonwood Park Zoo - New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
0.1 Ruth 1958-00-00
0.1 Emily 1964-00-00

Saint Louis Zoo - St Louis, Missouri, USA
1.0 Raja (Onyx x 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 x Ellie) 1996-07-05
0.1 Maliha (Raja x Ellie) 2006-08-02
0.1 Jade (Raja x Rani) 2007-02-25
0.1 Priya (Raja x Ellie) 2013-04-26

Dickerson Park Zoo - Springfield, Missouri, USA
1.0 Indy 1972-00-00
0.1 Patience 1974-00-00
0.1 Moola 1981-00-00

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
1.0 Albert (Calvin x Lilly) 1998-11-29
1.0 Thorn (Samson x Rozana) 2018-05-04
0.1 Irene 1967-00-00
0.1 Alice 1974-00-00
0.1 Rozana (Ranchipur x Alice) 1992-11-08
0.1 Jazmine (Samson x Rozana) 2013-10-02

Bronx Zoo - Bronx, New York, USA
0.1 Patty 1970-00-00
0.1 Happy 1971-00-00

Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Syracuse, New York, USA
1.0 Doc (Charlie x Alana) 1997-05-08
1.0 Batu (Doc x Mali) 2015-05-12
0.1 Siri 1968-00-00
0.1 Romani 1975-00-00
0.1 Targa (Vance x Birka) 1983-11-23
0.1 Kirina (Indy x Romani) 1995-06-20
0.1 Mali (Indy x Targa) 1997-02-28

Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
1.0 Sabu 1988-00-00
0.1 Mai Thai 1973-00-00
0.1 Schottzie (Chieng Mai x Buag Hah) 1975-12-15
0.1 Jati 1987-00-00

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, USA
1.0 Hank (Vance x Mala) 1988-01-16
1.0 Beco (Coco x Phoebe) 2009-03-27
0.1 Connie 1973-00-00
0.1 Phoebe (Motek x Warda) 1987-05-15
0.1 Rudy (Charlie x Sally) 2002-01-29
0.1 Sundara (Charlie x Sally) 2008-11-09

Oklahoma City Zoo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Rex 1968-00-00
1.0 Kandula (Calvin x Shanthi) 2001-11-25
0.1 Bamboo 1966-00-00
0.1 Asha (Onyx x Connie) 1995-02-02
0.1 Chandra (Onyx x Moola) 1996-07-02
0.1 Achara (Rex x Asha) 2014-12-22
0.1 Kairavi (Rex x Asha) 2018-10-09

Tulsa Zoo - Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Sneezy 1971-00-00
0.1 Sooky 1972-00-00

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, USA
1.0 Samson (Calvin x Kitty) 1998-05-04
1.0 Samudra (Tusko x Rose Tu) 2008-08-23
0.1 Sung Surin (Packy x Pet) 1982-12-26
0.1 Chendra 1993-00-00
0.1 Rose Tu (Hugo x Me Tu) 1994-08-31

Wildlife Safari - Winston, Oregon, USA
0.1 Liz 1964-00-00

El Paso Zoo - El Paso, Texas, USA
0.1 Savannah 1952-00-00
0.1 Juno 1968-00-00

Fort Worth Zoo - Fort Worth, Texas, USA
1.0 Colonel (Buke x Whimpy) 1991-04-04
1.0 Romeo (Pete x Alana) 1993-01-10
1.0 Bowie (Samson x Bluebonnet) 2013-08-05
0.1 Rasha 1971-00-00
0.1 Angel (Vance x Sally) 1988-12-30
0.1 Bluebonnet (Groucho x Rasha) 1998-12-16
0.1 Belle (Groucho x Rasha) 2013-07-07

Houston Zoo - Houston, Texas, USA
1.0 Thai 1965-00-00
1.0 Tucker (Tusko x Tess) 2005-05-12
1.0 Baylor (Thai x Shanti) 2010-05-04
1.0 Duncan (Thai x Shanti) 2014-02-07
0.1 Methai 1969-00-00
0.1 Tess 1983-00-00
0.1 Shanti (Onyx x Bozie) 1990-10-11
0.1 Tupelo (Thai x Tess) 2010-10-03
0.1 Joy (Thai x Shanti) 2017-07-12
0.1 Tilly (Thai x Tess) 2018-06-17

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

Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington, USA
0.1 Hanako (Thonglaw x Tuy Hoa) 1963-09-24
0.1 Suki 1964-00-00

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
0.1 Lucy 1975-00-00

Riddles Elephant Sanctuary - Quitman, Arkansas, USA
0.1 Peggy 1958-00-00
0.1 Betty Boop 1972-00-00

Have Trunk Will Travel - Perris, California, 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

Performing Animal Welfare Society - San Andreas, California, USA
1.0 Prince (Hugo x Me Tu) 1987-05-24
1.0 Nicholas (Tunga x Ronnie) 1993-12-15
0.1 Gypsy 1967-00-00

Robert Commerford - Goshen, Connecticut, USA
0.1 Beulah Mae 1970-00-00
0.1 Minnie 1972-00-00

Franzen Brothers Circus - Bushell, Florida, USA
0.1 Okha 1970-00-00

Elephant Walk - Gainesville, Florida, USA
0.1 Annette 1960-00-00

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 x Mala) 1984-02-02
1.0 Osgood (Charlie x Emma) 1999-08-16
1.0 Gunther (Charlie x Mala) 2001-11-18
1.0 P.T. (Charlie x Josky) 2002-05-21
1.0 Irvin (Charlie x Alana) 2005-06-01
1.0 Barack (Doc x 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 x 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 x Minyak) 1983-08-23
0.1 Luna (Hugo or Vance x Josky) 1984-01-01
0.1 Juliet (Pete x Icky) 1992-12-30
0.1 Bonnie (Vance x Sid) 1994-10-29
0.1 Shirley (Vance x Mala) 1995-02-19
0.1 Kelly Ann (Vance x Sally) 1996-01-01
0.1 Angelica (Charlie x Icky) 1997-06-23
0.1 Sara (Charlie x Icky) 2001-04-16
0.1 Asha (Charlie x Alana) 2002-03-05
0.1 Aree (Charlie x Mala) 2005-04-21
0.1 Mable (Romeo x Shirley) 2004-04-06
0.1 April (Charlie x Alana) 2010-04-03
0.1 Piper (Romeo x Shirley) 2012-08-13

Two Tails Ranch - Williston, Florida, USA
1.0 Luke (Vance x Tilly) 1985-11-24
0.1 Roxie 1965-00-00
0.1 Schell 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

Wild Adventures - Valdosta, Georgia, USA
0.1 Shirley 1944-00-00

George Carden Circus - Springfield, Missouri, USA
1.0 Bo (Vance x 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

Carson & Barnes Circus - Hugo, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Hugo (Tommy x Whimpy) 2011-04-25
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 x Whimpy) 2007-04-27

Endangered Ark Foundation - Hugo, Oklahoma, USA
1.0 Tommy (Vance x Birka) 1992-05-25
1.0 Obert (Buke x 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 x Whimpy) 2015-07-28

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

 

Potential update: Sanctuary for Animals in Westtown, New York has a 44-year old (meaning born in 1974) elephant dubbed Fritha

Elephant rescued from Vietnam War escapes from NY barn
Runaway elephant caught after stealing hay in Westtown

 

Mali gave birth to her third calf, a male on January 15, according to Rosamond Gifford Zoo's twitter:

Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Twitter

As of January 15, 2018, there are 231 (50.181) Asian elephants in North America.

 

This is PHENOMENAL news!!!! What a GREAT way to start off the new year: the birth of a calf! Congratulations to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for another successful birth. I sincerely hope that Twenty-three 0.1 Kirina is also pregnant and expecting in 2019.


Based on the following sources provided by @Yi Qi, an Asian elephant resides at the Sanctuary for Animals in Westtown, New York.

Elephant rescued from Vietnam War safe after wandering away from Westtown, New York, animal sanctuary | abc7ny.com
Dawn Animal Agency Sanctuary

Sanctuary for Animals - Westtown, New York, USA
0.1 Fritha 1974-00-00

The North American population now consists of 232 (50.182) Asian elephants.

 

0.1 Natasha gave birth to a female calf named Sunita on November 14, 2018 at the African Lion Safari. The sire is 1.0 Johnson (African Lion Safari).
Baby Asian Elephant | African Lion Safari - Cambridge Ontario

The North American population now consists of 233 (50.183) Asian elephants.

 

The

The Buffalo Zoo got rid of their elephants last fall.

 

That was the population update from January 2018. I recently updated the population in January 2019 with the following post:

In the post, you'll see that Jothi and Surapa are now located at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana.