I know there was a topic about this a few years ago, but figured I would make an updated one. North America. Elephants. Zoo's. I'm bad at intros so lets get to the point. Elephants of both species are popular animals with both keepers and the public. But what is their current status in North America? Well hopefully this post can keep us up to date. Now breeding is of course, a top priority, so what zoo's and animals are working towards this goal? See below: Asians: African Lion Safari (Canada): 4.12, 2.4 breeders, 2.4 under the age of 10. Oregon Zoo: 2.4, 0.1 breeder, 1.1 under the age of 10. St.Louis Zoo: 1.9, 1.2 breeders, 0.4 under the age of 10. ABQ Biopark: 2.4, 2.1 breeders, 0.1 under 10. Rosamond Gifford Zoo: 2.5, 1.2 breeders, 1.0 under 10. Columbus Zoo: 2.2, 1.1 breeders, 1.0 under 10. Oklahoma Zoo: 2.4, 1.1 breeders, 0.1 under 10. Fort Worth Zoo: 3.4, 1.2 breeders, 1.1 under 10. Houston Zoo: 4.4, 1.2 breeders, 2.1 under 10 (1.0 11 year old). Smithsonian Zoo: 0.6, 0.1 breeder, youngest is 26. Cincinnati Zoo: 1.3, 1.1 breeders, youngest is breeding cow at 29, last calf was 18 years ago. Tulsa Zoo: 1.3, 1.0 breeder, planned breeding female is 14 years old. Africans: North Carolina Zoo: 2.4, 0.1 breeder, youngest female is 14. Baltimore Zoo: 2.2, 0.1 breeder, 1.0 under 10. Dallas Zoo: 2.8, 0.2 breeders, 1.1 under 10. Disney's Animal Kingdom: 3.7, 1.2 breeders, 2.1 under 10, 0.2 11 and 12. Fresno Chaffee Zoo: 1.2, 0.1 breeder, 1.0 is 12 and other 0.1 is 9. Hogle Zoo: 0.3, 0.1 breeder, 0.1 under 10. Indianapolis Zoo: 1.7, 0.2 breeders, 1.3 are 11 or under. Lowry Park Zoo: 1.5, 1.3 breeders, 0.2 under 10. Memphis Zoo: 0.3, 0.1 breeder Montgomery Zoo: 0.3, 0.1 breeder, 0.1 under 10. Henry Doorly Zoo:1.5, 0.1 breeder, 1.3 under 10. Pittsburgh Zoo: 1.6, 0.2 breeders, 1.2 10 or under, 0.1 16 years old. Pittsburgh Conservation Center: 1.4, 1.1 breeders, 0.3 cows are 25, 23 and 23. San Diego Zoo Safari Park: 7.6, 1.3 breeders, 5.3 10 or under. Sedgwick County Zoo: 1.6, 0.1 breeder, 1.4 under 10. Toledo Zoo: 2.2, 0.1 breeder, 2.0 are 13 and 5. Reid Park Zoo: 2.3, 0.2 breeders, 2.1 under 10.
Is Cleveland not trying to breed their Africans? Not sure of the age of their elephants, though I know they have a bull and 4? cows.
No, their youngest female is 31 years old and has never been pregnant before, and additionally their male, Willy, has never sired an offspring despite living with a number of breeding females at Disney's Animal Kingdom for 13 years (honestly, given his appearance, history prior to DAK and lack of breeding, I wouldn't be surprised if he was actually castrated).
Thanks for the answer - I knew their females were older and that Willy had not sired an offspring, but I thought that they had originally hoped to have some breeding (the exhibit could certainly handle a breeding herd). Also thanks for compiling this list - it's a sobering thought how few breeding elephants of either species are currently held in AZA institutions. Of course, there are Ringling's Asians as well, but it's still not a great situation for either species.
Thanks for this overview of the North American population Hyak_II ! With a good coordinated plan I guess both species have a future in North America - a few decates ago in Europe there was also very little hope but now it looks all much better ! Lets hope this can also be archieved in North America. Are there any pregnant animals at the moment ?
Asian Elephants are also kept at Buttonwood Park Zoo- 0.2 African elephants are also kept at Roger Williams Park Zoo- 0.3
