Elephants of Columbia

The Parque Zoológico de Santa Fe announced earlier this year the death of their 73 year old female Asian elephant, Lady, due to complications of old age.

"Zoologico Santa Fe (Elefante)"
Courtesy of Kmilocg, Panoramio.com

Highland Park Zoo - Rani

The Children's Zoo at Highland Park in Pittsburgh displayed a number of baby elephants, a custom most prevalent in zoos during the 1960s to 1970s. As worded by Toledo gossip columnist Don Wolfe, "the custom of trading in an automobile on a new model every few years has spread to elephants." The North American Regional Studbook for the Asian Elephant does not list any of the in-and-out animals to populate the Children's Zoo but four animals have been found, all using the "recycled" name Rani.

Children's Zoo - Highland Park - Pittsburgh
Courtesy of delcampe.net

Toledo Zoo Elephant Facilities

The Toledo Zoo debuted the first phase of their new elephant exhibit in May 2010. Phase Two is projected to open in 2012, giving the zoo's two adult female African elephants and adolescent male more than an acre of space. The construction and expansion was made possible by a Capital Levy voted on by residents of Lucas County.

Conceptual rendering of Phase II Exhibit, Toledo Zoo
Photo Courtesy of ToledoZoo.org

Indianapolis Zoo - Ivory and Zahara

The Indianapolis Zoo currently houses two breeding females in their African elephant herd, Ivory and Kubwa. Two year old Ivory joined eight year old Kubwa at the former site of the Indianapolis Zoo in September 1984 from the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, imported by the International Animal Exchange. In December 1987, the pair was moved the zoo's new site near downtown Indianapolis. These two elephants became the first two African elephants in the world to give birth via Artificial Insemination.

Zahara & Ivory, Indianapolis Zoo, 05/2012
Courtesy of R Easley

Bill Reynolds Collection - Carson and Barnes Circus

Wade Burck recently posted an article dated August 4, 1975, discussing the escape of two juvenile Asian elephants, Lilly and Isa, from Carson and Barnes Circus winter quarters in Hugo, Oklahoma.

Bill Reynolds graciously shares a photograph from his collection featuring a portion of the Carson and Barnes herd of Asian elephants in 1981.

"I like this one because Obert is in it."
Courtesy of B Reynolds