The Calgary zoo says they will be moving their Asian elephants to another facility, saying their facility is too small and doesn’t have enough year-round space.
The Calgary Zoo has made the decision to move their group of Asian elephants within four to five years to a facility with more year round space.
The move will include all three female elephants, Kamala, Swarna, Maharani and her expected calf, and bull elephant Spike.
The females will be kept together with the calf because of the importance of the social structure with the elephant species.
There is no information on where they will be moved but the facility must provide for the following criteria:
- The facility must accept all three adult females and the calf as a family unit.
- It must participate in a breeding program that provides the elephants with the opportunity to participate in this fulfilling experience where possible and be part of a complex family group, and which supports the conservation of Asian elephants.
- It must provide large acreage that is useable year-round.
- It must be large enough to allow for an increased social group or herd size – minimum eight individuals.
The Calgary Zoo and the Miami Zoo, which still owns Spike, will be working together to find an appropriate facility for the elephant. It’s likely he’ll be moved before the females.
Source: CTV Calgary
