Cincinnati Zoo: 10,000-Pound Elephant Arrives

Ten thousand pounds of new weight landed at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Thursday. Raja, a bull elephant from the St. Louis Zoo, has joined the local herd following a specific directive from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP).

The transfer is a calculated move to stimulate breeding. Christina Gorsuch, the zoo’s director of animal care, noted that Raja has sired several calves during his tenure in St. Louis. She expressed hope that he will bond with the two resident females, Anak and Yasmin. The zoo stated that these females have been housed with the current male, Sabu, for more than two years. Despite the long duration, Sabu has shown almost no interest in breeding with them.

The SSP’s recommendation included additional logistical changes to optimize the genetic pool. The plan calls for moving another bull to St. Louis to replace Raja. Furthermore, the organization directed the transfer of two young bulls, Sanjay and Kabir, from Cincinnati to a different AZA facility. Zoo officials expect that second move to be completed by December.

Visitors can view Raja and the rest of the group in the Elephant Trek exhibit. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Management warned that the elephants may not be visible during certain periods while staff facilitate social introductions.

Gorsuch stated the goal is for Raja to hit it off with Anak and Yasmin. The immediate focus is on establishing a productive dynamic between the new arrival and the existing females.