Endangered Asian Elephant Achara
The Oklahoma City Zoo (OKC) and Botanical Garden are currently caring for a pair of endangered Asian elephants. Their names are Asha, the mother, and Achara, the daughter. The familia elephant duo are expecting their calves to come in 2025.
Achara is pregnant for the first time. She was also born in the zoo, moreover, her calf will be a third-generation elephant at the Zoo. The father to her calf is Bowie, one of the youngest bulls in the zoo at just 10 years old. Achara is set to be a relatively young mother in July 2025, being just nine. Most female Asian Elephants tend to fall pregnant between the ages of 8 to 13.
An employee at the sanctuary, Rachel Emory is elated for the new addition. She stated, ” I personally saw her take her first breath, to see her have a calf of her own is a very pinnacle moment for me in my career, and for everyone on the team to see Asha become a grandma and Achara to become a mom,”.
Endangered Asian Elephant Asha
The matriarch, Asha, will be having her fifth offspring. All of her babies have been born at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Furthermore, this will be her fourth calf fathered by the 56-year-old bull, Rex. Asha and Rex have also birthed Achara and her two younger siblings. Asha’s current youngest are the six-year-old Kairavi and the two-year-old Rama.
Sadly, her first baby, Malee died at four years old after contracting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus.
The two expecting mothers are due for a long haul. Elephants have one of the longest gestational periods within mammals. Asian Elephants will carry their child till term for about 22 months. Also, the babies can weigh anywhere from 150 pounds up to 300 pounds!
The new additions will be invaluable for the herd and the Asain elephant population. The Zoo is actively doing what it can to sustain the longevity of the dwindling elephant population.
The Oklahoma Zoo’s Facility
The OKC Zoo has a sprawling facility dedicated to just the native animals of Asia, it’s aptly named Sanctuary Asia. The sanctuary was built in 2010 and is set on 18 acres of land. The zoo allows visitors to come and gaze at all the different species, while the animals get to roam. The refuge features training walls for animal enrichment and windows where visitors can see the feedings and more.
Some of the other animals besides the endangered Asian elephants that reside there are; the Indian Rhino, Komodo Dragons, Red Pandas, and more.
The pregnant pair of Asian elephants get their own personal special treatment. The two mothers are regularly provided with prenatal care. Such as receiving ultrasounds to check on their babies. The sanctuary uses positive reinforcement to encourage the girls to cooperate.
The Association for Zoos and Animals hails the OKC Zoo for its work with elephants. A statement made by a representative of AZA states, “…the Oklahoma City Zoo is a leader in Asian elephant care, research, and conservation. The Zoo is committed to protecting this endangered species and its habitat through its global partnerships.”
OKC Zoo has donated over $400,000 to elephant conservation since it opened in 2010. It also has supported the Kenya-based Northern Rangelands Trust since 2009. The Northern Rangelands Trust protects elephants and other species in Kenya. Additionally, OKC has partnered with Rainforest Trust to buy and preserve 13,000 acres of forest in Sumatra as well as 18,000 acres in Borneo. These areas are both natural habitats for the endangered Asian elephant.
The OKC has also helped other conservatives and foundations.
Asian Elephants
The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal on the Asian continent. They inhabit forests and grasslands in 13 countries spanning South and Southeast Asia. However, Asian Elephants have officially been put on the endangered animal list.
Furthermore, the main cause of their endangerment is due to habitat loss and human contact, whether for their tusk or retaliation. Only about 10% of their population still populate their original habitats. Also, an estimated little more than 30,000 roam the whole world. Without negative human effects, these big mammals would be able to live up to 50-plus years in the wild.
Female Asian elephants tend to stick together in small herds with the young including males. These elephants are usually very social and will sometimes have a few leaders who will lead and protect their herds. The conservation of Asian elephants is proof that other endangered species can also be saved
Written By Melvin Powers
Edited by AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
KOCO:2 endangered Asian elephants at Oklahoma City Zoo pregnant, expecting calves in 2025
WCS: ASIAN ELEPHANTS
OKC ZOO: Sanctuaru Asia
AZA: Oklahoma City Zoo Expert Leads Asian Elephant Research
Smithsonian Zoo: Asian Elephant
Featured Image by Bernard DUPONT’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Martin Pettitt’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
