Not one, however TWO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Asian elephants are pregnant after spending virtually two years with Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Backyard’s bull elephant Sabu [SAH-boo], who was despatched to Columbus on a breeding advice from the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program coordinated by the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to keep up genetic range of threatened and endangered species in skilled care.
Photographs (Sabu in Columbus and in Cincinnati) | Movies (Sabu in Elephant Trek)
“That is nice information for the North American Asian elephant inhabitants and massively vital for the herd right here in Cincinnati,” stated Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch. “We’re within the strategy of introducing Sabu to females that moved into our new elephant habitat whereas he was away in Columbus. Our hope is that he’ll breed with them and that Elephant Trek might be dwelling to child elephants within the close to future!”
The gestation interval for elephants is 22 months, so little ones in Cincinnati isn’t proper across the nook. The Columbus calves, nonetheless, are anticipated to reach in 2025!!
“Sabu is without doubt one of the most genetically-valuable elephants in North American and has no dwelling offspring,” stated Gorsuch. “We’re all respiration a sigh of aid to know that he can contribute to the survival of his species making child elephants and guaranteeing his legacy in a number of herds.”
Based on the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Pink Record of Threatened Species™, Asian elephants are listed as Endangered of their native vary throughout southern and southeastern Asia. Elephant populations are in decline as a consequence of varied elements together with habitat loss/degradation and poaching. The Worldwide Elephant Basis (IEF) estimates there are 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining.
Cincinnati Zoo and the Columbus Zoo are each dedicated to defending Asian elephants within the wild and are leaders of the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction (AZA SAFE) Asian Elephant Program, an AZA initiative to leverage collective experience to guard species’ future. Be taught extra about Cincinnati Zoo’s Asian elephant conservation efforts right here.
“Ending Asian Elephant Consciousness Month with this announcement is a real testomony to how zoos can work collectively to make sure the survival of this unbelievable species whereas giving the elephants the alternatives to dwell their greatest lives,” stated Gorsuch.
Guests can see Sabu and the remainder of Cincinnati Zoo’s elephant herd when Elephant Trek opens this Fall and can see updates about them on the Zoo’s social channels.
The Zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Members take pleasure in early entry beginning at 9 a.m.
DID YOU KNOW…. You pay greater than $10 much less per ticket, on choose days, whenever you buy tickets on-line! That’s a $40 financial savings for a household of 4!
