African elephant populations have stabilised in their southern heartlands after huge losses over the last century, according to the most comprehensive analysis of growth rates to date. The latest analysis also provides the strongest data so far showing that protected areas that are connected to other places are far better than isolated “fortress” parks at […]
Tag: African elephant
Brutal killing of African elephant highlights need to end trophy hunting
We have just learned about a heartless and illegal hunt that took the life of a male elephant in South Africa’s Limpopo province earlier this month. Here’s what we know at this point: The hunting party consisted of a trophy hunting client, a hunting guide, a reserve representative and a backup rifleman, according to a […]
Asian elephants’ picky diet helps shape their forest home, study shows
Asian elephants have long been described as forest “cleaners” by the Orang Asli people of Peninsular Malaysia who have lived alongside the giant mammals for tens of thousands of years. A new study looking closely at the foraging behavior of free-roaming elephants backs up this ancestral understanding, demonstrating that through their feeding habits, Asian elephants […]
Elephants that once threatened Rome could help save their descendants
Approximately 415,000 African elephants live in the wild, according to the WWF. Credit: By Beks on Unsplash. Ivory from an ancient shipwreck off Spain is providing data that might aid conservation of modern elephant populations. More than 2,500 years ago, a Phoenician ship, most likely a trader bringing luxury goods from the eastern Mediterranean and […]
Puerto Rico’s Only Elephant To Be Relocated to Elephant Sanctuary in Georgia
Puerto Rico recently witnessed an event that created ripples of emotions across the island. Mundi, the prized African elephant and the star attraction of the Puerto Rico Zoo for 35 years, was to be relocated to a vast elephant sanctuary in southern Georgia. But when the time came, Mundi displayed an unexpected fear of the […]
Heartbroken San Diego Zoo staff are forced to euthanize ‘gentle’ 59-year-old Asian elephant Mary
Heartbroken San Diego zoo staff euthanized an Asian elephant after age-related joint deficiencies began affecting her quality of life. The 59-year-old geriatric elephant, named Mary, was put down compassionately after the decision to do so was made by her health and care specialists following a ‘decline’ in her mobility. The ‘uniquely dominant’ but ‘gentle’ pachyderm, […]
Utah’s Hogle Zoo to End its Controversial Elephant Program, Much to the Delight of Activists
Utah’s Hogle Zoo made an announcement saying that it would be relocating the last two elephants in its care for “the best chance to have a calf in the important social dynamic of a multigenerational herd.” The zoo’s remaining elephants, mother Christie, 36, and daughter Zuri, 13, will be going to an as-of-yet undisclosed facility. […]
Ailing Pakistan elephant dies, leaving ‘mourning’ partner in limbo
An ailing elephant at a Pakistan zoo died on Saturday, vets said, calling on the ill-equipped menagerie to evacuate her “mourning” partner to avert a second tragedy. Pakistan’s zoos are frequently accused of being blase about animal welfare, and the plight of Noor Jehan was cited by animal rights activists campaigning to shut the wildlife […]