Studbook Mysteries - Firma Ruhe I

The large animal trade company Firma Ruhe was founded in Germany by Ludwig (Louie) Ruhe in 1880. After a large increase in business following Carl Hagenbeck's construction of a new zoo, Ruhe would go on to expand with three generations of his family operating animal trading posts worldwide. Offices in London and the Ruhe Animal Farm in New York helped to supply hundreds of elephants to zoos and circuses in Europe and America.

This location is listed in the North American Regional Studbook for the Asian Elephant simply as 'L RUHE.' The address is described in Alfeld/leine, Germany. There is no differentiation between the three offices of Ruhe, possibly leading to confusion and inaccuracies regarding elephant locations.

One source names the New York location as Louis Ruhe Wild Animal Farm in Woodside, Long Island.

Mary and Mona
There are several lapses of information in the North American Regional Studbook regarding Mary and Mona, but it is apparent the pair of female Asian elephants resided together from birth in the early 1940s until their deaths in 1975.

Born in Sri Lanka between 1941-1942, Mary and Mona arrived together to the Detroit Zoo in July 1947. They resided at the zoo in Michigan for an unknown period of time before the Studbook states they were transferred to the animal trade company Firma Ruhe in Germany. However, the company operated two local offices, one in London and a second in New York, where the animals may have been transported as opposed to overseas.

In October 1974, 27 years after arriving in Detroit, the pair of elephants arrived again at a location in Michigan - King Animaland Park in Richmond. This park, operated by circus owner Walt King, covered 40 acres and held animals and amusements in springtime that King leased out to shows for the fall and winter. The Studbook states Mary and Mona resided at the park located north of Detroit until their deaths the following year, approximately seven months later.

Mary and Mona at the Detroit Zoo - Zoo Guide 1940s
Photo Courtesy of AsianElephant.net

Penny
A female Asian elephant born in Burma in 1938, Penny was imported to the Fort Worth Zoo in August 1940. For an unknown period of time, the animal resided at the zoo in Texas until the North American Regional Studbook for the Asian Elephant states she was transferred to Firma Ruhe. The documentation never gives an arrival back to Fort Worth, but lists the 23 year old elephant’s death at her premier institution in August 1961.

According to a news article published in 2009 commemorating the Fort Worth Zoo’s 100 year anniversary, Penny was purchased as a second elephant through money collected as donations from zoo visitors.

Records
Mary, Asian Female, SB 577
1941 - Birth, Sri Lanka
24 Jul 1947 - Detroit Zoo (Belle Isle), Belle Isle, Michigan
??? - L RUHE
22 Oct 1974 - King Animaland Park, Richmond, Michigan
~Apr 1975 - Death, King Animaland Park, Richmond, Michigan

Mona, Asian Female, SB 578
1941 - Birth, Sri Lanka
24 Jul 1947 - Detroit Zoo (Belle Isle), Belle Isle, Michigan
??? - L RUHE
22 Oct 1974 - King Animaland Park, Richmond, Michigan
~Apr 1975 - Death, King Animaland Park, Richmond, Michigan

Penny, Asian Female, SB 574
~Apr 1938 - Birth, Burma
14 Aug 1940 - Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, Texas
??? - L RUHE
12 Aug 1961 - Death, Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, Texas

For Additional Information
>> Firma Ruhe (Tierhandelsfirma Ruhe) at Elephant.se

>> "The Animals and Their Trainers," Geostan.ca

>> "Bring 'Em Back Alive," Time.com, 03/25/1946

>> "King's Animaland Park," Circus Report, CircusHistory.org, 02/23/1976

>> "Fort Worth Zoo celebrates 100 years of wild history," WorldZooToday.com, 08/10/2009

>> "Elephants of the Detroit Zoo" at ZooChat

>> "Elephants of King Animaland Park" at ZooChat

>> "Elephants of the Fort Worth Zoo" at ZooChat

UPDATED 04/18/2011, "Studbook Mysteries - Belle Isle Zoo" at ShowMe Elephants

European Circus Elephants I

Adriana Folco
Adriana Folco will begin the 2011 season with Norwegian Circus Medrano, the first in 2011 to tour Nordic countries. She tours with her 41 year old Asian female Baby, acquired from her father Amedeo Folco. During the 2010 season, Adriana and Baby toured with the Netherlands' National Circus Herman Renz.

Adriana's father, Amedeo Folco, is son of the legendary Franz Althoff. Amedeo tours with four females elephants, two Africans and two Asians.

Adriana Folco - Olifant 'Baby'
Photo Courtesy of Circus Herman Renz on Facebook

Bernhard Kaselowsky
Circus Dannebrog of Denmark is featuring Bernhard Kaselowsky for the second year in a row with his 30 year old African female Rambo. Two year old Ramboline was purchased by Kaselowsky in 1983. He first joined Circus Dannebrog in 2001 and worked there until 2006. In 2009, Bernhard joined Circus Benneweis and in 2010 rejoined Dannebrog. He will celebrate his fiftieth birthday this year.

Bernard Kaselowsky and 'Rambo'
Photo Courtesy of FYENS.dk

Rambo at Circus Dannebrog
Photo Courtesy of FYENS.dk

For Additional Information
>> "Baby (Baba)" at Elephant.se

>> "Rambo (Ramboline) at Elephant.se

>> "Circus News From Denmark

The Elephant Walk II

"The circus is in town!

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus begins an 11 show run at the Wells Fargo Center on February 16th. Early Tuesday morning, the spectacular Asian elephants and horses arrived in South Philly, via train.

Skyfox was flying overhead as the animals made their way off the train and through the streets...." //MyFoxPhilly.com, 02/15/2011

The Elephant Walk I

"A parade of elephants announces the circus has come to town as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's annual animal walk travels down 9th Avenue North towards the BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011. The elephants traveled from the Train Yard down Vanderbilt Road to Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard with a team of handlers. Although the weather was cold and rainy, a crowd gathered along the route welcoming the entourage." (The Birmingham News / Michelle Campbell)









>> "Animal Walk," AL.com, 01/25/2011

Mali at Zoos Victoria

From Zoos Victoria:

"Melbourne Zoo's first-ever Asian Elephant calf took her first big swim today. She has ‘graduated' from the paddling pool in the Cow Paddock via the deeper pool near the Bull Barn to the 4-metre deep pool near the Community Hall!

Elephant Keepers swam with Mali so she wouldn't be frightened of the deep water, while her mother Dokkoon and herd matriarch Mek Kapah browsed on some hay next to the pool." 02/01/2011

"Our one year old elephant girl Mali has a great time in the deeper Bull Paddock pool with her mum Dokkoon and her favourite Aunty Num-Oi. This footage was all shot by keepers Erin and Andy and gets you closer than ever to our herd as they play in the water and mud. You can hear a wide range of vocal squeaks, rumbles and trumpets as our girls, and baby boy Ongard, play together." 02/14/2011

Romeo and Juliette

From Chris Berry:

"This poster from the Ringling-Barnum "Romeo & Juliette" tour seems appropriate today. This one-sheet was used for performances at Cincinnati's Riverfront Coliseum during the spring of 1995."

Romeo and Juliette
Photo Courtesy of Chris Berry

The Births
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus celebrated the birth of two Asian elephants within less than a two week period in the winter of 1992-1993. Juliette, named after Ringling owner Kenneth Feld's daughter, was born at Ringling's elephant breeding compound in Williston, Florida, on December 30, 1992. Eleven days later, Romeo was born, a namesake of the Shakespearean couple.

Both Romeo and Juliette were sired by Gary Jacobson's bull Petely. The half-siblings were the only offspring of the 26 year old bull before his death in June 1992. Juliette was born to first time mother, 14 year old Icky II. Icky II has since given birth to three more female calves. Romeo was born to first time mother, 17 year old Alana. Alana has since given birth to four more calves, all still living and the most recent born in April 2010.

The Tour
The 1994-1995 seasons of the Ringling Blue Unit featured the one year old calves, originally presented by Ted Svertesky and Patricia Zerbini. In early January, however, the Ringling Brothers Circus suffered their most serious train accident in over 100 years after a derailment in Lakeland, Florida. Both Ted and a clown with the show were killed. Patty would present the calves and their mothers for the remainder of the year, but would not return for the following season.

"There were 23 elephants, the most ever carried while indoors but it was a clumsy arrangement. Jimmy Silverlake was in charge of "King Tusk", Graham Chipperfield was there with his three elephants, Patty Zerbini had her elephant "Luke" as well as presenting the two mother cows and their calves "Romeo" and "Juliet" that she and Ted had brought on the show. I handled the remaining fourteen. A large stock pen was erected in the elephant tent so the punks could roam and nurse at their leisure and all four were transported back and forth from the train in a large wagon." //Buckles Woodcock

"During the 8 day lay-off in Orlando, I had the two mother cows "Alana" and "Icky" sent home to Williston along with their stock pen which I replaced with a wooden deck for the punks to stand on. I had just enough time to get them laid down and sat up before we went out on the '95 tour. Most importantly though, we no longer needed the transport wagon since "Romeo" and "Juliet" would now march to the train with their adopted mothers "Siam" and "Calcutta" and see what the world contained beside themselves." //Buckles Woodcock

"They're very, very cute," he said. "Romeo is a very mischievous elephant. He's like a little boy should be. Juliette -- she's a little more timid, a little bit shy."
"They're very, very cute animals. Miniature elephants -- little tiny trunks, tiny tails. . . . They don't have to do anything. All they have to do is just walk around," he said." //Graham Thomas Chipperfield

Current Location
18 year old Romeo now resides at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's Center for Elephant Conservation, the largest elephant breeding facility in North America. He sired his first calf at age nine in 2003 and his second in April 2006. Ricardo and Mable, both born to mother Shirley, were full F2 generation, implying both their parents were born in captivity. 18 year old Juliette is currently touring as one of the nine elephants with Ringling's Blue Unit.

For Additional Information
>> "2 Performers Die as Ringling Circus Train Derails," NYTimes.com, 01/14/1994

>> "He's the leader of the pachyderms," BaltimoreSun.com, 03/22/1995

>> "RBBB Blue Unit 1994 #1," Buckles Web Log, 07/08/2006

>> "Epilogue/ RBBB Blue Show 1995," Buckles Web Log, 07/08/2006

>> "Petely (Pete)" at Elephant.se

>> "Icky II" at Elephant.se

>> "Alana" at Elephant.se

>> "Juliet (Juliette)" at Elephant.se

>> "Romeo" at Elephant.se

First Elephant Born in Turkey

The Izmir Sasali Wildlife Park celebrated the birth of Turkey's first elephant on February 5. The 242 pound calf was the first for its nine year old father and 17 year old mother, raising the park's herd of Asian elephants to three.

New calf and mother "Begumcan" at Izmir Wildlife Park
Photo Courtesy of DHA.com.tr

Pak Bahadur
The Izmir Zoo acquired their first elephant in 1955 when he was offered as a gift from the government of Pakistan. Pak Bahadur was born there eight years prior and kept as a single elephant in Turkey for 41 years until the arrival of Begumcan in 1996. The 59 year old elephant died in July 2007 during an operation on his foot and leg; he was considered Europe's oldest male elephant.

Pak Bahadur at the Izmir Zoo, 2000s
Photo Courtesy of AsianElephant.net

Begumcan
The Izmir Zoo acquired a two year old Asian elephant in 1996 as a gift from India's president, Kocheril Raman Narayanan. Named Begumcan, the animal became a companion for the zoo's lone 50 year old bull, Pak Bahadur. After Bahadir's death in 2007, the following year the zoo acquired another male, a young captive born animal from Israel, for Begumcan's companionship.

Winner and Begumcan at Izmir Wildlife Park, 09/2009
Photo Courtesy of Güneş Er, Guneser Photography

Winner
Winner was born at the Ramat Gan Zoo in Israel in August 2002, the number 12 of 13 born to his sire Motek and dam Warda. In July 2008, the six year old animal was transferred to the Izmir Zoo to begin a breeding program with the insititution's single female elephant Beguman. Three months later, the pair was transferred to a larger and more natural exhibit at the Izmir Sasali Wildlife Park. The 15,000 square meter exhibit and 550 square meter indoor housing boasts only one of two locations housing elephants in the country.

Winner at Izmir Wildlife Park, 09/2009
Photo Courtesy of Sinan Yuzakli

Records
Pak Bahadur (Bahadir), Asian Male, SB 5010
1948 - Birth, Pakistan
1955 - Izmir Zoo, Turkey
22 Jul 2007 - Death, Izmir Zoo, Turkey

Winner, Asian Male, SB 200208
18 Aug 2002 - Birth, Ramat Gan Zoo, Tel Aviv, Israel
26 Jul 2008 - Izmir Zoo, Izmir, Turkey
25 Oct 2008 - Izmir Sasali Wildlife Park, Izmir, Turkey
>> Winner at Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Begumcan, Asian Female, SB 9410
1996 - Birth, Pakistan
04 Oct 1998 - Izmir Zoo, Izmir, Turkey
28 Oct 2008 - Izmir Sasali Wildlife Park, Izmir, Turkey

Izmir, Asian Female
05 Feb 2011 - Birth, Izmir Sasali Wildlife Park, Izmir, Turkey

For Additional Information
>> "Europes oldest elephant bull, Pak Bahadýr is dead," Elephant-News.com, 07/23/2007

>> "Winner and Begümcan look happy," Elephant-News.com, 08/08/2008

>> "First elephant to be born in Turkey," DHA.com.tr, 02/10/2011

>> Izmir Zoo, Turkey at AsianElephant.net

>> Izmir Wildlife Park

Elephants Diagnosed with Tuberculosis

"Zoo says no risk to visitors after elephant diagnosed with tuberculosis," The Sydney Morning Herald
Deborah Smith
February 5, 2011

"One of Taronga Zoo's elephants, Pak Boon, which gave birth to a calf three months ago, has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

The zoo's senior vet, Larry Vogelnest, said the 19-year-old Asian elephant had no symptoms but tested positive in a routine, three-monthly laboratory screen for the bacterial disease, which is relatively common in elephants.

The zoo's seven other elephants have tested negative. Pak Boon is on drugs to kill the bacteria.

Dr Vogelnest said it was likely she had been infected in Thailand before coming to Australia four years ago, and the disease had remained dormant and undetectable. 'Now it has reactivated, and I think in her case it was almost certainly because of the birth of her calf.'"

For the full article:
>> "Zoo says no risk to visitors after elephant diagnosed with tuberculosis," The Syndey Morning Herald, 02/05/2011

Pak Boon and her calf at Taronga Zoo
Photo Courtesy of Anthony Johnson, SMH.com.au

----

"ABQ BioPark Elephant to be Treated for Tuberculosis," GardenNews.biz
February 10, 2011

"The veterinary staff at the ABQ BioPark Zoo is actively monitoring an illness of one the zoo’s elephants.

Head Veterinarian Dr. Ralph Zimmerman has confirmed the presence of tuberculosis in Alice, a 37-year-old elephant. Tuberculosis is not uncommon in captive pachyderms and can be successfully treated. Dr. Zimmerman consulted with the nation’s primary researchers studying tuberculosis in elephants and with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for Alice.

Throughout the prescribed year-long treatment, the zoo’s animal care staff will monitor Alice’s progress through trunk washes and serum analysis. The staff will also monitor her liver function, blood levels and appetite to assess side effects of the medications. Alice will remain with the rest of the herd to minimize stress on her and the other elephants while she undergoes treatment. The other elephants are continuously being tested for TB."

For the full article:
>> "ABQ BioPark Elephant to be Treated for Tuberculosis," GardenNews.biz, 02/10/2011

Alice at the Albuquerque Zoo
Photo Courtesy of KOAT.com

----

"The town of Lyon pains to look after tuberculous elephants"
February 15, 2011

"Two elephants lent to the Lyons zoo of the Gold Head are from now on carrying tuberculosis. The welfare men of the zoo refuse to approach them. The circus owner of the pachyderms however awaits animalist park that it treats these elephants.

Misfortunes become legion among boarders of the zoo of the park of the Gold Head in Lyon. After the drowning of a lioness and the flight of four monkeys, here that two of its three elephants, Baby and Nepal, were detected like carriers of tuberculosis. The diagnosis ran since last year. And to prevent that a contagion is propagated, the pachyderms were far away from the public. But it is also a question of preventing that the disease does not gain the third elephant, Java. The personnel of the animalist park would wish that the two carriers of the germ of tuberculosis, which belong to the Pinder circus, leave the zoo as fast as possible.

David Gomis, the director of the Gold Head, recognizes that "the disease did not develop clinically. The elephants do not spit and do not cough". By measure of precaution it however made condemn the alleys pedestrians which lead to the enclosure. The final distance of the tuberculous elephants, according to him, is justified by the fact that "their treatment would ask for a quasi-hospital device and tons of antibiotics". In fact, two choices are essential on the eyes of David Gomis: "These elephants were entrusted to us by the Pinder circus. They must include them in their spaces of the Seine-et-Marne. If not we will have to proceed to their euthanasia".

This ultimatum had the gift to aggravate Gibet Eldestein, chairman of the circus in question. In a mail addressed to the assistant of the mayor of Lyon Gilles Buna on February 11 last, this last announced that he refuses any final solution concerning his protected suffering, Baby and Nepal. For the number one of the Pinder circuses, it returns to the Lyons zoo to look after the two tuberculous elephants or to pour 150.000 euros per elephant to him. Its missive does not let plane any doubt: "W delivered to them the pachyderms in good health."

For the full article:
>> "The town of Lyon pains to look after tuberculous elephants," CareVox.fr, 02/15/2011

Translation provided by Yahoo! BabelFish
>> "http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

Baby and Nepal at the Lyon Zoo in France
Photo Courtesy of CareVox.fr

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"Elephant spread TB to workers at Tenn. sanctuary"
Mike Stobbe
February 16, 2011

"A tuberculosis outbreak among workers at a Tennessee elephant sanctuary in 2009 is being blamed on one of the pachyderms, even though some of the employees didn't have close contact with the animal.

One elephant in the barn — a female Asian elephant named Liz — had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Investigators believe the TB bacteria spread through the air when the elephant sneezed, or through pressure washing or dust from sweeping the barn of the elephant's waste.

The eight employees tested positive on a skin test and received treatment, but are not sick or hazardous to others, sanctuary officials said in a statement Wednesday.

Liz the elephant received treatment and is still alive, said Dr. William Schaffner, the sanctuary's president. According to the refuge's website, Liz was a circus elephant for many years, has been at the sanctuary since 2006 and is about 54 years old."

For the full article:
>> "Elephant spread TB to workers at Tenn. sanctuary," News.Yahoo.com, 02/16/2011

Liz at The Elephant Sanctuary
Photo Courtesy of Elephants.com

----

"Elephant Tuberculosis Initiative" at Elephant Care International
>> http://elephantcare.org/tbshort.htm

Chester Zoo Birth & Death

The Chester Zoo celebrated the birth of a new female Asian elephant and mourned the death of the herd's matriarch within a three week period.

Newborn calf at the Chester Zoo, 02/2011
Photo Courtesy of ChesterZoo.org

Oregon Zoo - Intersections

From the Oregon Zoo's Official Facebook page:

"Our videographer put together a BEAUTIFUL video of our elephant herd interacting — watch and let us know what you think. Also, remember that Oregon Public Broadcasting wants to know if you’re a fan of Oregon Zoo elephants. Go to their website to comment: http://bit.ly/OPB_elephants

Emmen Zoo Birth

The Emmen Zoo in the Netherlands celebrated the birth of a male calf on February 6, the second to be born in the outdoor exhibit with the herd. The calf was the fourth for the thirty year old Burmese cow Htoo Yin Aye. It was sired by the zoo’s breeding bull Radza. The 44 year old male arrived at Emmen in 2003 from Latvia. Since Radza's arrival, he has sired twelve calves. The new calf brought the zoo’s herd size to thirteen, seven of which are males.

Newborn male calf, Dierenpark Emmen, Feburary 2011.
Photo Courtesy of Dierenpark Emmen / Wijbren Landman

Remote Elephant Center

Two locations have been identified as possible sites for the Oregon Zoo’s Remote Elephant Center (REC), both in Clackamas County. The overall goal of the Center is to establish what zoo officials call a “multigenerational, matriarchal breeding herd of Asian elephants that will be sustained for generations.” It could house four bulls and 12 females, but females could be transported between the two herds — at the zoo or the center — depending on how the shift might support the zoo’s goals. According to the plan presented to the Metro Council, the elephant center could be open to the public at least twice a year to showcase the work being done there and highlight the elephant program’s vision. In addition, the site could be used for educational tours and classes for all ages. Elephants would enjoy a “socially and environmentally enriching environment,” as well as more natural and less confining habitat than provided at the zoo in Portland. This is the third type of similar institution designed "off-site" from the public for zoos to maintain groups of elephants.

>> "Zoo packing trunks for Sandy?" SandyPost.com, 02/08/2011

National Elephant Center
The first in discussion was the National Elephant Center, currently planned for St. Lucie County, Florida. County Commissioners approved the development of the facility, though conditions were set regarding elephant management that possibly postponed further planning at the proposed site.


>> http://www.thenationalelephantcenter.org/

International Conservation Center
The second planned facility and first of its type to open was the International Conservation Center in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. An off-site extension of the Pittsburgh Zoo, the facility houses a male and two female African elephants. The main goal of the Elephant Care Program is "to play a major leadership role in addressing the needs for breeding the African elephant population in North America."


>> http://internationalconservationcenter.org/

A Word From Our Sponsors

ShowMe Elephants would like to extendend the deepest appreciation to the following sites for their gracious and unrequested advertising.

Dick Dykes
>> http://dick-dykes.blogspot.com/

Ken Young
>> http://www.kenyoung.net/circus.html

Natalie Cainan
>> http://circusmom.blogspot.com/

Wayne Jackson

Zoo News Digest
>> http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/

Bulls of Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami currently houses two separate herds of elephants. Machito, Miami's 31 year old African bull resides with two 35 year old African cows, Maybel and Peggy. Miami also houses a 45 year old male Asian elephant, Dahlip, with a 42 year old Asian cow named Nellie. The elephants are managed in protected contact.

Dahlip
Dahlip has sired four calves with the female Seetna at Zoo Miami. Dahlip and Seetna were both born within a month of each other at the Trivandrum Zoo in Kerala, India. They arrived together to Miami MetroZoo in August 1967. A male calf named Rocky was born in April 1977 but died after seventeen days. Another male was born in Jul 1981. This calf, originally named Ganesha, would be the only surviving offspring of Dahlip. A third female calf named Pearl was born in October 1985 and died two days later. The final calf was stillborn in May 1996. Complications of this birth would cause the death of the 30 year old mother Seetna, requiring her euthanasia.

In February 2010, the Miami MetroZoo used a water-cooled hand saw to trim 12 inches of ivory from Dahlip's tusks to prevent him from injuring himself by hitting them on the floor when he walks. The 12000 pound elephant was forty three years old.

Dahlip, Zoo Miami's Asian male, October 2009.
Photo Courtesy of Tim May, ZooChat

Dahlip and Nellie, Zoo Miami's Asian elephants, October 2009.
Photo Courtesy of Tim May, ZooChat

Machito
Although kept with several females at Zoo Miami, Machito has only sired one calf. He bred with Tribby before her transfer to the Cleveland Zoo in November 1992 following the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew. She gave birth to a male calf in March 1994, though the animal only survived a day. It was the only elephant birth at the Ohio zoo.

Machito, Zoo Miami's African male, October 2009.
Photo Courtesy of Tim May, ZooChat

Spike (Ganesha)
Miami MetroZoo's only surviving elephant birth occurred in July 1981. The calf was named Ganesha after the Hindu god. After Hurricane Andrew devastated the zoo in 1992 and several elephants residing at the zoo were temporarily or permanently relocated, Ganesha was moved to the Calgary Zoo in Canada and renamed Spike.

Spike has sired two calves in Calgary. Keemaya was born in November 2004, though she was rejected by her 14 year old mother and later developed an infection. She died within several weeks. The pair's second calf was born in August 2007 and named Malti. In late October 2008, the fourteen month old calf was diagnosed with Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus and died six days later. At the time of Malti's death, only four elephants were known to have experienced symptoms of the disease and recovered.

Both calves born to Spike and Maharani were full F2 generation births, meaning both of their parents were born in captivity. Maharani was born at the Calgary Zoo to Bandara and Kamala in July 1990.

Spike currently weighs 12,500 pounds and measures 11'6" at the shoulder.

Spike, Zoo Miami's only surviving birth, March 2009.
Photo Courtesy of B Van Hooft

Records
Dahlip (Dalip), Male Asian, SB 139
10 Jul 1966 - Birth, Trivandrum Zoo, Kerala, India
26 Aug 1967 - Miami MetroZoo, Miami, Florida
11 Sep 1992 - Two Tails Ranch, Williston, Florida
02 Jun 1995 - Miami MetroZoo, Miami, Florida
>> Dahlip at Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Machito, Male African, SB 197
Apr 1980 - Birth, Zimbabwe
Jul 1981 - Catskill Game Farm, Catskill, New York
13 Sep 1981 - North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina
11 Nov 1981 - Miami MetroZoo, Miami, Florida
>> Machito at Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Spike (Ganesha), Male Asian, SB 141
02 Jul 1981 - Birth, Miami MetroZoo, Miami, Florida
19 Sep 1992 - Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
>> Spike at Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Additional Information
"A Tusky Situation," 02/04/2010
>> http://www.elephant-news.com/index.php?id=5181

"Calgary Zoo Celebrates Elephant Calf Arrival," 08/09/2007
>> http://www.elephant-news.com/index.php?id=2574

"Baby Elephant Gravely Ill of Herpes Virus," 11/01/2008
>> http://www.elephant-news.com/index.php?id=4316

"What the Elephants Know"

By Nicholas Hune-Brown
Toronto Life
Posted June 29, 2010 at 8:57 AM

"The Toronto Zoo has lost four elephants in as many years, and the fate of the remaining herd—Iringa, Thika and Toka—is uncertain. Can a one-hectare habitat in the middle of a northern city be any kind of home for exotic animals with complex thoughts and feelings?"


Comments on this article:

"One of the finest articles ever written, going over the intricacies of keeping creatures as magnificient as elephants in captivity… their intelligence, charm, grandeur does not warrants them for the poor life they face while in captivity… no wonder in religions such as hinduism, elephants have been worshiped for decades… hats off to toronto life for publishing this great article… only if humans could learn something from elephants??"
June 29, 2010 at 12:21 pm | by Rahul Kushwah

"Thank you for this thoughtful piece of writing. So much journalism these days seems to pick a side and advance it unrelentingly. In such pieces you can see that the presentation of the facts is skewed by the author’s position and you wonder where the inevitably nuanced and complicated “truth” is underneath the polemic. This makes me all the more appreciative of a piece like this that in my view attempts to take a fair and balanced approach to everyone involved. It is clear that this is a complicated issue with no easy answers. How refreshing to have it presented to us in such an intelligent and forthright manner. More like this please."
July 24, 2010 at 2:22 pm | by Cara Gibbons

>> http://www.torontolife.com/daily/informer/from-print-edition-informer/2010/06/29/what-the-elephants-know/

Toronto Zoo Elephant Herd, Summer 2009
Photo Courtesy of N Daniels