November 3, 2024
Utah’s Hogle Zoo Pauses Far more Than 100 A long time of Elephants in Care

After a detailed analysis, Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, has made the decision to pause its continuous care of elephants that spans extra than 100 years. Officers declared the animal-pushed purpose to transfer mother, Christie, 36, and daughter, Zuri, 13, to a further Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facility wherever chances for reproduction can be maximized.

“Utah’s Hogle Zoo is progressing via an enjoyable and transformational scheduling course of action to assist ensure we meet up with the transforming needs of our neighborhood and the advanced requires of animals in the Zoo’s care. We have talked to a lot of specialists, consultants, local community users, and our employees as we meticulously assessed what is finest for all our animals, like elephants Christie and Zuri. The top alternative to go Christie and Zuri is to give them equally the best chance to have a calf in the critical social dynamic of a multigenerational herd,” said Utah’s Hogle Zoo Chief Executive Officer, Doug Lund.

A lot has changed since 1916, when Princess Alice grew to become the very first elephant to stay in Utah. By means of scientific investigate and evolving elephant treatment techniques, the Zoo’s expert animal care staff has regularly tailored to provide the elephants options and alternatives to be physically and emotionally engaged. With community and non-public assistance, Utah’s Hogle Zoo has expanded and improved its physical place for elephants, such as developing Elephant Come across in 2005.

The Zoo has strived to deliver the elephants with offspring and the social dynamic advantage of residing in a multigenerational herd. Hogle Zoo’s nationally-regarded elephant care group grew to become the to start with to efficiently practice Zuri for voluntary synthetic insemination. Nevertheless, pregnancy has been unsuccessful primarily due to few sample possibilities and very low motility submit-travel. The 42-acre Zoo would want to commit in indoor and outside room to convey a male (bull) to Utah. This enlargement would choose several years and substantial space when likely dropping the primary reproductive window for Zuri. 

Princess Alice and Prince Utah at Utah's Hogle Zoo

Princess Alice and Prince Utah at Utah’s Hogle Zoo

The Zoo’s emphasis on species treatment and conservation is a lot more significant than ever. The world’s African elephant population declined from 1.1 million in the 1970s to roughly 450,000 right now, with an believed 100 elephants killed each individual day. With the community’s support, Utah’s Hogle Zoo has funded throughout the world conservation initiatives to secure vital habitats, construct ranger stations in East Africa, and type anti-poaching scouting teams.

The long run return of elephants to Utah’s Hogle Zoo will be reviewed in the master plan system, which incorporates evaluating what the Zoo should do to make sure the well-currently being of complex species like elephants, rhinos, gorillas, polar bears, and orangutans.

“Utah’s Hogle Zoo is committed to producing connections amongst people today and animals that inspire action to conserve elephants and other endangered species. As a dedicated companion to the AZA Species Survival Plan®, we frequently acquire and move animals among accredited zoos for genetically diverse breeding functions, like the shift of Amur leopard male, Skye, previous September,” stated Lund. “Questions pertaining to what species the Zoo will have in the potential are getting completely mentioned. The system is guided by what is ideal for animal wellbeing, visitor impact, and the most successful way to contribute to saving wildlife.” 

The Zoo is coordinating with the AZA African Elephant Species Survival Plan® to set criteria and discover where by Christie and Zuri will most effective thrive jointly in a multigenerational herd and have the opportunity to reproduce at a further AZA-accredited zoo. The animal treatment crew will be working with the elephants to get ready them for voluntary, wholesome transportation to their new spot as swiftly and carefully as attainable.

Photographs Credit: © Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Edited by Sarah Gilsoul, a author and communications system assistant at AZA.


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