Elephant ReserveOpened in 1906 at a cost of $50,000!

Listed on the Register of Historic Buildings

Elephant Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Order: Proboscidea

– (Gr. proboskis, elephant trunk)

• Family: Elephantidae

• Genus: 2 genera

• Species: 2 species

Species Of ElephantsThere are two species of elephants in two different genera:

Asian elephant• smaller size• arched back• smaller ears in the shape of India• tusks not visible in females• one “lip” on the trunk tip

African Elephant• larger size• back not as arched• large ears in the shape of Africa• visible tusks on males and females• two “lips” on the trunk tip

Elephant Classification

• Preliminary genetic evidence suggests that there may be at least two species of African elephants, namely the Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis). A third species, the West African Elephant, has also been postulated. The African Elephant Specialist Group believes that more extensive research is required to support the proposed re-classification. Premature allocation into more than one species may leave hybrids in an uncertain conservation status (IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group 2003). For this reason, this assessment was conducted for the single species as currently described encompassing all populations.

Evolution of Elephants

• In the Cenozoic era the ancestor to the moeritherium is where the early division occurs between the early elephants, manatees and hyrax.

The ancestors of the elephants arrived at a time when the horse-like animals were

at the apex of diversity, and ruminants were evolving to colonize new niches. As

non-ruminants, elephants were able to feed on plants that were to coarse for the

ruminants. Larger elephants could feed on plants the competitors could not, so

selective pressure favored large body size to reduce competition

Evolution of Elephants

• The elephant family were once highly successful and widespread and inhabited all land masses except Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. The Proboscidea arose during the late Oligocene, followed by the Elephantidae in the Miocene.

Physical Comparison of the Elephants

Asian Elephant African Elephant

Elephant Adaptations: The Skull

• Body size is the most conspicuous feature of the elephant, by far the largest land animals

• Skull, jaws and teeth form a specialized system for crushing coarse material

• Skull is disproportionately large compared to the size of the brain to support trunk Air-linked spaces and cavities in the skull

save weight

Elephant Adaptations: The Skeleton

•The large arch of the

backbone

•Large skull to support

tusks, teeth and jaws

•The phalanges, bones of

the fingers and toes, are

raised off the ground and

are embedded in a soft

elastic tissue and

enclosed in a fatty matrix

for walk silently through

the bush

Elephant Adaptations: The Trunk

• The trunk is formed from the upper lip and nose, comprised of over 100,000 muscles, it is a multi use appendage for feeding, drinking, bathing, smelling, communicating, moving objects, greeting caressing…even a snorkel!

Keystone Species

• A “keystone species” is a species whose presence and role within an ecosystem has a disproportionate effect on other organisms within a system. Usually a dominate predator, some keystone species are those that significantly alter the habitat around them and thus affect large numbers of other organisms. This phrase references a “keystone” which is a wedge-shaped piece at the summit of an arch that holds all the other pieces in place.

Keystone Species

Elephants as Bioengineers• Seed germination and

dispersal

• Control plant growth

• Create and maintain watering holes other wildlife can benefit from

• Shake and drop seeds and vegetation

• Keep up insects and other animals for others

• Paths can be fire breaks and water conduits

Our Elephants

Our Elephants

Mai-Thai born 5/1973-Thailand; acquired 2/14/1974

Middle-sized of the cows; hole in the bottom of left ear; no long tail hair (Jati bit the end of her tail about 11 years ago); she did all rides/personal appearances outside the park; elephant painter; when happy, will make a sound by flipping the end of her trunk

Our Elephants

Schottzie born 12/15/1975 –Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark; acquired 12/12/1978

Largest of the cows; known as Princess Schottzie II; Sort of the “boss elephant” of all the females (if she wants it, she takes it from the others); will trumpet when asked by the keepers

Our Elephants

Jati born 4/1988- Malaysia; acquired 1/29/1991

Smallest of the cows; very hairy; gave birth to the first elephant born at the Cincinnati Zoo on 3/15/1998; when visitors see a female with our male, it is always Jati

Our Elephants

Sabu 1/1989- Malaysia;

acquired 1/29/1991

Only male, has large

tusks; Left Cincinnati in

1998 then came back in

2007; he is “left

dominant”, his left tusk

shorter than his right

Enrichment

Enrichment is an important part of the daily care we provide to

our animals. Enrichment is anything the zookeepers add to

the animals’ environments to stimulate their senses and elicit

natural behaviors such as foraging, exploration, hunting,

problem solving, and even play.

Enrichment

Each species’ individual needs are considered when designing

enrichment activities. Our keepers use enrichment to keep

animals healthy by encouraging physical activity and mental

stimulation. Some of the ways our animals are enriched include

environmental, social, training, environmental enrichment

devices, sensory and novel food

Elephant Reserve

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) The IEF is a non-profit corporation of both individuals and institutions that are dedicated to the protection and preservation of both African and Asian Elephants. To date, the IEF has supported over 120 conservation and research projects. The Cincinnati Zoo is a partner and supporter of the IEF.

Elephant Reserve

The IEF helps to protect wild

elephants from:

•Human-Elephant ConflictThis threat will be the primary focus of our discussion

with our guests as it is the primary action that we support

Through the IEF

• Habitat Loss

• Poaching for Ivory

Elephant Reserve

Human-Elephant ConflictHuman-elephant conflict is one of the main driver behind population decline, local communities often face crop decimation and structural damage from wild elephant herds. This has caused a lot of resentment towards elephants from communities and has led farmers to harm, or even kill local herds.

Elephant Reserve

Sumatran Elephant Conservation Center (ECC)The ECC helps to relocate elephants that have wandered into human settlements, protecting them from potential harm while also helping local communities. More than 700 elephants have been relocated to these centers.

Elephant Reserve

Elephant Conservation Response Units (CRU)In 2004, the IEF established Conservation Response Units in Sumatra to provide protection of native wildlife.

CRUs utilize once neglected captive elephants and their caretakers (mahouts) for direct field conservation efforts.

Elephant Reserve

Elephant Conservation Response Units (CRU)These teams work with forest rangers and conservation officers to mitigate human-elephant conflict, reduce wildlife crimes, raise local conservation awareness, and establish community-based ecotourism to sustain the CRUs

Elephant Reserve

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF)The IEF looks to create a sustainable future for elephants, where both people and elephants can thrive together!

Elephants

• Saving Elephants in the Wild through the International Elephant Foundation

• Elephants Dogs: Applying Detection Dogs to Amplify Conservation Impacts for Asian Elephants in Myanmar

Elephants

• Asian Elephant Support

• Maintaining Elephants in Captivity

• Working Towards a Cure for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)

• Developing Field-friendly Techniques for Elephant Semen Cryopreservation

Questions?