2007-12-31 - Kegalle, Sri Lanka. B. W. Eheliyagoda
The elephant 'Suranimala' of the renowned Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in the outskirts of Kegalle town created a scene when it was taken by its mahouts for a bath in the 'Maha Oya' just by the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on December 24. While bathing 'Suranimala' became restless and started to run amok threatening the many visitors to the elephant orphanage on this Christmas eve. There were both foreign and local visitors watching the elephants bathing. The efforts of the mahouts to bring the ...
2007-12-31 - Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand.
A herd of wild elephants trampled a Karen man to death and injured his friend near a road in Hua Hin district yesterday. The dead man was identified only as Bird. He died of head injuries and multiple broken bones. Haepo, 19, also a Karen, was treated in hospital for less serious hand and leg injuries. Mr Haepo told police he was driving a motorcycle with Bird riding pillion. They were on their way home after a night out when they came across the elephants, which were blocking the Hua Hin-Ban Hu...
2007-12-31 - Sauraha, Nepal.
Nepal has hosted the fourth annual International Elephant Race. Hundreds of specatators gathered in Sauraha in Chitwan National Park in Narayani for the Elephant Extravaganza. Organisers said they hope to draw the attention of tourists to Nepal's wildlife and show that it is so much more than just a land of mountains. The keepers, known as mahouts across Nepal, spend hours washing their animals and dressing them so they are in tip top shape for the race. This year 20 national and international c...
2007-12-31 - Cuttack, India. LALMOHAN PATNAIK
Orissa is facing a Catch-22 situation over elephant conservation, as more pachyderms are moving into human habitats due to destruction of elephant corridors. Wild elephants lumbered into Athagarh, a sub-divisional headquarters in Cuttack on December 25. The presence of a big herd of 40 wild elephants in areas near Chilka Lake, earlier in the month, was also unprecedented. The presence of elephants in Athagarh and Chilka, experts believe, is symptomatic of the alarming fallout of man-made disturb...
2007-12-30 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
AN elephant never forgets, and we won't either. Since Kito and Jambo were born at Colchester Zoo thousands of adoring visitors have enjoyed watching them play, eat and grow. And The Evening Star has followed their progress closely too, reporting on their development and training. But now the duo are off to pastures new to take part a European breeding programme. So from early next year five-year-old Kito and Jambo, who will turn four in March, will be in Valencia in Spain.
2007-12-30 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
The Kerala government on Sunday ordered a probe into the death of two baby elephants at a camp for the pachyderms at Kodanad in Ernakulam district. Talakkad Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) would conduct the probe, an official release said here today. The elephants Aswathi and Niranjan had died recently after showing symptoms of 'herpis virus' infection. But the real cause behind the death could be determined only after getting final laboratory report, the release said. However, the officials...
2007-12-30 - NARAYANI, Nepal.
A big race for some big guys is turning into tradition in Nepal. For the past four years people have been getting together for the "Elephant Race" Jockeys climb on the backs of the giant mammals and race them as excited villagers look on. The event was organized to boost tourism and to draw attention to Nepal's elephant population. In all, 20 elephants competed in this year's race. The winner took home a trophy shaped like an elephant.
2007-12-30 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Yerevan Zoo in Armenia was in the news last year as animal rights activists battled Sri Lankan authorities in the Supreme Court to stop nine year old Asokamala, born at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage from being exported to that zoo. Rights activists say the Yerevan Zoo which boasts of 2,300 animals is in a deplorable state. Recreational Minister, Gamini Lokuge who was the mover and shaker of the proposed gift reportedly denied to media, claims by animal rights activists that there was a co...
2007-12-29 - TEMERLOH, Malaysia. LISA GOH
Sanom may be just a baby but she is a fighter. Despite wounds all over her body, believed to be from a tiger attack, the four-year-old elephant is still on her feet. When she was first brought to Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre on Monday, Sanom was covered in maggot-infested puncture wounds on her back, and had gaping wounds on the soles of both hind feet. Where her tail should be, there is another open wound. “The orang asli in Kg Sanom (in Sungai Siput, Perak) found her n...
2007-12-29 - YAMUNANAGAR, India.
Haryana forests minister Kiran Chaudhry on Friday laid the foundation stone for an elephant rescue centre (ERC), first of its kind in India, at Bansantour forest here. The ERC was earlier planned in Chakbala Sahib area but it could not be realized due to land constraints. Centre has already released Rs 50 lakh for the Rs 90-lakh project. Construction of ERC is expected to be completed within a few months.
2007-12-29 - Tokyo, Japan.
The frozen carcass of a 37 000-year-old baby mammoth unearthed this summer in Siberia arrived in Japan on Saturday for tests that researchers hope will shed new light on the internal structure of the ancient beasts, an official said. The 1.2m grey-and-brown carcass arrived at Tokyo International Airport on Saturday afternoon, said Mitsuyoshi Uno, an official with the joint Russo-Japanese mammoth-study project that is overseeing the research.
2007-12-29 - Tokyo, Japan. Gwen Thompkins
Sometime early next year, tons of African ivory will be sold at auction to Japan. Despite the international ban on the trade, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia will be allowed a one-time purge of their stockpiled ivory. Conservationists hope the sale won't reignite widespread demand for elephant tusks.
2007-12-29 - UDHAGAMANDALAM, India. B Ravichandran
The Tamilnadu Green Movement (TNGM) has alleged clearing of forest area for constructing a resort. An extent of about 12 acres of green lands in Madhugatta at Bokkapuram, an elephant corridor, which comes under the purview of Supreme Court’s definition of forests is being cleared, presumably for the purpose of constructing resort, the movement said and threatened to move the apex court against the District Forest Officer (DFO) of Nilgiris North Division.
2007-12-29 - Subrahmanya, India. Daijiworld Media Network
Now on, pilgrims to Kukke Shri Subrahmanya temple here will have a friendly animal to greet them when they arrive at this religious centre. A baby elephant named 'Yashaswi' has been donated by B S Anand Singh, a businessman from Hospet in Bellary district of northern Karnataka. The three-and-a-half-year-old pachyderm had been originally brought from Gopalganj near the Nepal border and purchased from the elephant 'mela' held in Assam.
2007-12-28 - Yamba, Australia. PETER ELLEM
THE close-knit Stardust Circus community is in mourning after one of its two star performing elephants crushed a handler to death at Yamba late yesterday. A police spokesman last night confirmed that the unidentified man, aged in his sixties, was found by a fellow male handler lying facedown with a serious back injury in an elephant exercise enclosure about 5.15pm. While WorkCover has been called in to investigate the fatality, police who attended the scene are still unsure whether the victim ha...
2007-12-28 - Yamba, Australia. Evelyn Yamine
SHE has entertained millions of circus-goers but Arna the elephant's illustrious career spanning more than 40 years has not been without scandal. The 50-year-old Asiatic elephant is regularly at the centre of a tug-of-war between her owners and animal activists over her alleged treatment. But tragedy hit close to home yesterday, with police and WorkCover officers today continuing investigations into the freak death of Arna's handler. Paramedics said the man died of a heart attack and had suffere...
2007-12-28 - Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
A group of wild elephants, came down from the hilly terrain, today killed four people including a mother and two children at Eidgaon area of Sadar Upazila under the district. The angry elephants also damaged eight households in Satgharia Para of West Gazalia of Islamabad union in the same Upazila. The elephants were hungry and became mad, according to the experts of the Department of Forest. Police and the local residents said the elephants at first attacked the house of Mojaher Mia and his wife...
2007-12-28 - Yamba, Australia.
Initial reports said the man had been crushed to death by an elephant that fell off a plank while being unloaded, but police later said the man had been found dead in an enclosure with the elephants. He is believed to have been the elephant's handler for the past two years. Ambulance officers who arrived at the scene yesterday said it appeared the man had suffered a cardiac arrest. The Stardust Circus was making its first appearance at Yamba with a show due to start tonight, and the circus has t...
2007-12-28 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
COLCHESTER Zoo's two young African Bull Elephants, Jambo and Kito, will be transferring to a new zoo in Spain in February or March to take part in a European breeding programme, it has emerged. The two young elephants are particularly important genetically, so have been selected to take part in a breeding programme at BioParc Valencia in Spain. Zoological Director of Colchester Zoo, Anthony Tropeano, said they would be “extremely sad” to see the elephants go. He said: “We have always known...
2007-12-28 - Yamba, Australia. Rhett Watson
A CIRCUS worker, possibly trodden on and killed by an elephant on the NSW north coast, had suffered a minor heart attack three weeks before he died. News of Ray Williams's medical problems were revealed yesterday as the possibility emerged that the 57-year-old's crush injuries were caused by the elephant, Arna, trying to nudge him awake after his heart stopped. Mr Williams has spent the past two to three years caring for Arna and her friend, Gigi, at the Stardust Circus.
2007-12-27 - Blackpool, United Kingdom. LIZ HULL
It was a marriage proposal guaranteed to stick in Emma Morgan's memory - since it was delivered by a six-ton Asian elephant. Her boyfriend Oliver Thompson persuaded zoo bosses to let him use one of their animals to help him pop the question. Fortunately, the 23-year-old didn't hesitate to say Yes when the chosen pachyderm, named Marcella, extended its trunk and handed her a ribbon with a ring attached. Miss Morgan, an optical assistant, said yesterday that she was surprised but delighted when th...
2007-12-27 - Jaldapara, India.
Two elephants, Rahul and Devi, were ferried to Yokohama zoo from Calcutta on Wednesday by Air India’s ‘combo’ flight (passenger and cargo aircraft). The two elephants were brought to Calcutta airport on Tuesday from Jaldapara sanctuary. The aircraft landed at the airport around 6am and took off at 10am. The flight, usually from Delhi to Tokyo via Bangkok, was diverted through Calcutta on Wednesday for carrying the elephants.
2007-12-27 - Chester, United Kingdom.
A marketing campaign for Chester Zoo which attracted a record number of visitors was the mastermind of North East creative agency, Robson Brown. Stunning images were displayed high up on the lamp posts and were wrapped around the poles themselves. The unusual adverts included a giraffe and an elephant (pictured), and also delivered a variety of interesting facts.
2007-12-27 - Kolkata, India.
The violent, erratic behaviour of an elephant at a city circus about a week ago has triggered debate on the treatment meted out to animals in captivity. Animal rights activists are saying the circus authorities were not taking proper care of Bhola, the tusker of Nataraj Circus, which created a flutter, smashing furniture, ripping iron rods and damaging the ticket counter before being tranquilised by forest officials. "Wild animals cannot be tamed fully," said People for Animals (PFA) member Deba...
2007-12-27 - Sydney, Australia. Rhett Watson and Evelyn Yamine
A CIRCUS handler died - believed to have been crushed by an elephant on the state's North Coast. Authorities are investigating the mysterious death of the Stardust Circus handler at Yamba at 5.15pm. The man, aged in his 60s, was found lying face down in an exercise enclosure with the 50-year-old circus elephant Arna nearby. Paramedics said the man died of a heart attack and had sustained a serious back injury. WorkCover investigators will today try to determine whether the injury contributed to ...
2007-12-27 - Sydney, Australia.
Mystery surrounds the death of a circus worker originally believed to have been crushed by an elephant at Yamba on the NSW north coast. It is not yet known if the elephant's handler, aged in his 60s, died of a heart attack today before suffering an injury to his back, or even if an elephant caused the injury. Early police reports said one of The Stardust Circus elephants fell on the handler as it was being unloaded from a truck at the Angourie Road Sports Reserve about 5.15pm. An ambulance spoke...
2007-12-27 - St. Louis, United States.
Raja, the St. Louis Zoo's male Asian elephant, turns 15 today, and the zoo is having a special party for him at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the elephant exhibits at River's Edge at the zoo. Raja, the first Asian elephant born at the zoo, will be partying with his daughters, Maliha and Jade.Raja will get special presents and visitors are invited to sing "Happy Birthday" and sign a giant birthday card for him. The Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with free admission. U.S. Bank Wild Ligh...
2007-12-27 - Mangochi, Malawi.
A woman, who thought could save her maize and other farm produce by confronting and scaring away the marauding elephants, only ended up cutting short her own life. 35-year-old Alausi Missi, from the lakeshore district of Mangochi, has died after a looting elephant trampled one her last week, police and close sources have confirmed the incident. The woman heard an elephant was in her maize garden early in the morning so she set off to the field, which was about a kilometer away from her home, Ric...
2007-12-27 - Masai Mara, Kenya. Jane Wheatley
A little after dawn on a matchless morning in Kenya’s Masai Mara a group of riders and horses stood quietly in the first warming rays of the sun watching a herd of cow elephants with their young browsing a tree covered ridge. Five minutes later we were galloping for our lives, hearts pounding, crouched low over our horses’ necks as a dozen angry elephant charged down the slope towards us, trumpeting their displeasure. They moved at an astonishing speed, not stopping until they had thoroughly...
2007-12-26 - Baltimore, United States.
The elephants - from Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary near Greenbrier, Ark. - are Tuffy, a 23-year-old male, and Lil' Felix, a 24-year-old female. They join Anna and Dolly, the zoo's two female African elephants. Zoo officials say the elephant exhibit is in the midst of a $1 million renovation, and the four animals are expected to go on public display together in March. The zoo will be closed for January and February, as has been the case in recent years.
2007-12-26 - DHENKANAL, India.
Attacks on wild animals besides elephants have been on the rise in the forest areas of Dhenkanal district. The poachers, mainly jobless villagers, attack these animals for their valuable tusks and flesh. They make local bombs from the waste products of goat belly, gun powder and fire cracker powder to shoot at the jumbos the moment they strike. In one such incident in a forest near Bhagabanpur village, an elephant sustained serious injuries after coming in contact with a bomb. The wounded elepha...
2007-12-26 - Chandigarh, India.
The Haryana government Wednesday announced that a centre for rehabilitation of elephants would be set up in the state shortly. The new rehabilitation centre for the tuskers will be set up in Chhachhrauli block of Yamunanagar district in the state, 150 km from here. The centre will be spread in over 20 acres. A Haryana forests department spokesman said only those elephants illegally kept by people would be rehabilitated at the centre. He said that Haryana's forest minister will lay the foundation...
2007-12-26 - Ranchi, India.
Jharkhand forest department officials are seeking to execute a rampaging wild tusker, an official has said. The 20-year-old elephant, called Laden, has killed 17 people in the past one year in Silli block of Ranchi district and neighbouring Purulia district in West Bengal. If Laden is not executed, more human beings could be killed by the tusker in the area. To save human beings the rampaging tusker must be executed, a forest department official told IANS.
2007-12-25 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Robyn Dixon
Rising elephant numbers in South Africa has been a cause for concern for the authorities concerned. They fear this jumbo overpopulation might have disastrous consequences on other animals. Samson, otherwise known as Elephant No. 1, is twisting his trunk around tufts of grass and throwing them into his mouth. He is aware we have sneaked up on him but is willing to ignore us.
2007-12-25 - SOMWARPET, India.
The Kodlipet citizens would organise a meeting at Kodlipet bus stand on December 27 to protest the government's inaction in not helping the victims who have been facing problems due to wild elephants menace. They also formed a committee to seek help from the government. Speaking to newspersons here on Monday, committee Convener and Kirikodlimutt Pontiff Sadashivaswami said that everyday wild elephants enter human habitats in Niluvagilu, Kyathe, Dodda bhandara, Besur, Kattepura, Janardanalli, Nee...
2007-12-25 - Central Highlands, Vietnam. Tran Ngoc Quyen
Amidst century-old tamarind trees in the quiet village of Jang Lanh in the Central Highlands, 95-year-old Ama Kong is as busy as ever. He is truly a living legend thanks to a 40 year career as Vietnam's most famous elephant tamer.
2007-12-25 - Sydney, Australia. Saffron Howden and Kelly Ryan
IF there is any truth to the rumour that weight gain is associated with happiness, Taronga Zoo's Thai elephants are positively ecstatic one year after moving into their new home. Thong Dee has piled on a whopping 1400kg in the three years since being rescued from begging on the streets of Bangkok.
2007-12-24 - Kobe, Japan. Katsunori Sotari
A male baby at Oji Zoo, Kobe, Japan, was named on 15 December 2007. The name is "Ouji". Ouji (o-wu-ji) is the same pronunciation as Oji, the name of zoo. And the Japanese 'ouji' means 'Prince' also, peples wish the baby grow to be a prince-like young. Ouji is now fed by bottle, because of not succeeded to back to his mother.
2007-12-24 - Surin, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
Sucking up sugarcane with their trunks and circling busy traffic roundabouts, the elephants that roam Thai towns at festival time seem as much at home in the city as in the forest. Shows that feature elephants painting pictures, playing polo and whirling hoola hoops on their trunks have become an economic lifeline for more than a thousand domesticated elephants, who lost their incomes when Thailand banned logging in 1989.
2007-12-24 - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Sangduen "Lek" Chailert plays with ex-working elephants at her rescue centre for domesticated elephants in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on November 19. 2007. Elephant conservationists such as Chailert worry that captive elephants, considered beasts of burden in Thailand, have little protection from abuse if their owners work them all day to bring in more tourist dollars.
2007-12-24 - Jharkhand, India. Amarnath Tewary
Forest officials in eastern India have advised villagers to stock tiger urine and excrement to scare away a killer elephant and his marauding herd. The elephant, named after al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, and his herd have trampled seven people to death in the past three months in Jharkhand. Forest officials say elephants stay away from areas frequented by tigers.
2007-12-24 - Tesso Nilo National Park, Indonesia.
On Dec. 11, 2007, "World News with Charles Gibson" correspondent Nick Watt introduced us to the World Wildlife Fund's Flying Squad — a group of five trained elephants that are working to help save the endangered Asian elephants in Tesso Nilo National Park in central Sumatra. We are happy to report that, since then, the Flying Squad welcomed its sixth member — a baby elephant named Saree, born just in time for the holidays.
2007-12-24 - DHENKANAL, India.
Government may have implemented a number of projects for the rehabilitation of poor and physically challenged people, but it has turned a blind eye towards the sick and ailing elephant population of the state. With the increasing number of elephant rampage, the man-animal conflict has not only troubled the villagers, but also forest officials. The condition has further been aggravated by the local poachers, who have evolved strategies to target wild animals including elephants who continue to ra...
Sucking up sugarcane with their trunks and circling busy traffic roundabouts, the elephants that roam Thai towns at festival time seem as much at home in the city as in the forest. Shows that feature elephants painting pictures, playing polo and whirling hoola hoops on their trunks have become an economic lifeline for more than a thousand domesticated elephants, who lost their incomes when Thailand banned logging in 1989. But entertaining locals and tourists has become a life or death business f...
2007-12-23 - Auckland, New Zealand.
Auckland Zoo is calling on gardeners to help supply fresh vegetation for its two elephants, Kashin and Burma, because feed supplies are running low. Zookeeper Andrew Coers says the two female elephants chew their way through about 100 kilograms of food a day. He says if anyone is cutting down un-sprayed bamboo, sugar cane, banana palm and willow plants during the summer, the zoo would appreciate the extra supplies. However, he says the plants need to be delivered to the zoo on the same day they ...
2007-12-23 - Bangalore, United States.
More than one thousand wild elephants have been given a right of passage today, with the safeguarding of a wildlife corridor that links two reserves in Karnataka, Southern India. The land was handed over by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to forest officials in a ceremony in Bangalore – the first time land has been bought by a non-profit wildlife organisation and signed over to the government to prootect the habitat of the endangered Asian...
2007-12-23 - Guwahati, India. PULLOCK DUTTA
After a brush with infamy last week when two royal Bengal tigers ripped off an overly keen amateur photographers arm, Guwahati zoo has gone into overdrive to project a friendlier face. If the zoo has Govardana and Divya — the two tigers who killed Jayprakash Bezbaruah — it also has Madhavi, an elephant that has played “surrogate mother” to at least six of the nine elephants in the zoo and “adopted” a seventh a few days ago. Madhavis enclosure is just a few paces from that of Govardan...
2007-12-22 - Springfield, United States. Michael Crocker, superintendent of Dickerson Park Zoo
Our guests tell us elephants are their favorite animals at Dickerson Park Zoo. Elephants are magnificent, intelligent creatures that form strong bonds among the individuals in the herd and with their human caretakers. Following the death of our Asian elephant calf, 16-month-old Nisha, many of you conveyed your sympathies to our staff. You related how much you enjoyed watching Nisha grow, play and interact with the adults and how she was your child or grandchild's favorite. You recognized the obv...
2007-12-22 - Bangalore, India.
All the States that come under the centrally sponsored Project Elephant scheme will henceforth have to submit an action plan about conservation and other measures to get the annual financial assistance, Inspector-General of Forests and Director of Project Elephant A.N. Prasad has said. Mr. Prasad said the action plan to be submitted for a period of five years should contain “monitorable” targets. “For example, a scheme related to elephant corridors should have the number of corridors to be...
2007-12-22 - Kolkata, India.
The circus elephant Bhola, whose tantrums had forced police to suspend all shows, was tranquillized and ferried to Domjur in Howrah on Friday. The authorities of Nataraj Circus at Tallah Park in north Kolkata used a crane to haul Bhola on a truck, which took him to a Domjur farmhouse. Veterinarians agreed that shifting the elephant will help change its behaviour. They added the pachyderm will turn normal after effects of the tranquilliser wears off in 36 hours. The decision was taken as Bhola wa...
2007-12-22 - Luang Prabang, Laos. VanderWoodzanden
What an amazing experience to ride on the back (actually closer to the head) of an elephant and just trek through the jungle. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience the life of a mahout (elephant keeper and trainer) and join them in their daily activities. The elephant camp has been established outside of Luang Prabang. There are seven female elephants and one baby male elephant. The females were all rescued from their former life of logging and the male was purchased from Siam Rea...
2007-12-22 - BHUBANESWAR, India. Siba Mohanty
What Sansar Chand had done to tigers of Sariska, Asfaque and Ram Thapa are doing to the elephants of Orissa. Slowly but surely, the jumbos are being hunted down, their tusks fetching millions in wildlife trade circuits across the country. Thapa was nabbed by police last fortnight but Asfaque continues to evade arrest till date. One of the better elephant habitats in India, with over 1,600 pachyderms, the State is fast becoming an operating ground for organised groups, some of which have had nexu...
2007-12-21 - Bangalore, India.
ELEPHANTS will get a clear run between two forest reserves in southern India after an "elephant corridor" is set up. More than 1000 elephants will gain passage through the corridor linking the Edayargalli and Doddasampige reserves when land deeds are handed over to the Karnataka state forest department yesterday. India is home to an estimated 25,000 wild elephants, the most in Asia, but their numbers have been vastly depleted by poaching and habitat loss.
2007-12-21 - Ayutthaya, Thailand.
An elephant entertains children at a school in Ayutthaya province in northern Bangkok
2007-12-21 - Lahore, Pakistan.
The Lahore Zoo has planned special Eid programmes including puppet and other entertainment shows to attract children and visitors during the Eid holidays. The tiger, lion and monkey cages are expected to attract the maximum number of visitors. Children may also look forward to ride Suzi the elephant.
2007-12-21 - Calcutta, India.
Bhola, the 42-year-old male elephant of Nataraj Circus, shook off the effects of the tranquilliser that was administered to him on Wednesday evening and tore down a part of the big top on Thursday. He remained restless all day, prompting police to ask the circus management to cancel all shows until he was shifted off the premises.
2007-12-21 - Ontario, Canada. Locke M. University of Western Ontario
Profiles with all orientations have been used to visualize the 3D structure of ivory from tusks of elephant, mammoth, walrus, hippopotamus, pig (bush, boar, and warthog), sperm whale, killer whale, and narwhal. Polished, forming, fractured, aged, and stained surfaces were prepared for microscopy using epi-illumination. Tusks have a minor peripheral component, the cementum, a soft derivative of the enamel layer, and a main core of dentine = ivory. The dentine is composed of a matrix of particles ...
2007-12-20 - Changchun, China.
At the beginning of this year, Mr. Ren, a citizen of Changchun City in northeast China's Jilin Province, found an extraordinary stone while working in a sandpit near Dong'antun. His workmates thought that it was just an ordinary stone and suggested throwing it away. However, Ren was convinced that it was a fossilized bone. The stone is about the size of a man's palm and it was cracked in two places. "At first, when I saw the lower part of the stone, I thought that there should be an upper part j...
2007-12-20 - St. Louis, United States. TERI MADDOX
The zoo is inviting the public to celebrate Raja's 15th birthday at 11 a.m. Dec. 27 by singing "Happy Birthday" and watching him pose for pictures and receive gifts. Raja made history in 1992 as the first Asian elephant born at the St. Louis Zoo. Fifteen years later, he's still living up to his name, which means "king" in Hindi. One of his mates recently gave birth to his second daughter. "The situation for Asian elephants is pretty bleak," said Cory Nordin, zoological manager for the River's Ed...
2007-12-20 - Bangalore, India.
An "elephant corridor" linking two forest reserves is being opened in southern India, giving the endangered animals unrestricted movement to feed and breed in the region, officials say. More than 1,000 elephants are set to gain right of passage through the corridor linking the Edayargalli and Doddasampige reserves when land deeds are handed over to the Karnataka state forest department on Thursday. India is home to an estimated 25,000 wild elephants, the most in Asia, but their numbers have been...
2007-12-20 - Columbia, United States. Joey Holleman - McClatchy Newspapers
Riverbanks' new elephants must mesh with the old-timers before they go public. The two new African elephants at Riverbanks Zoo didn't appear at the Ndoki Forest exhibit magically, even if they do have Disney heritage. It's been a major undertaking to get the new girls - 37-year-old Robin and 34-year-old Petunia - to Columbia from Disney's Animal Kingdom and get them used to their new situation at Riverbanks, said mammal curator John Davis. "Moving elephants is quite an operation," Davis said. Si...
2007-12-19 - Riverbanks, United States. JOEY HOLLEMAN
Riverbanks’ new elephants must mesh with the old-timers before they go public. The two new African elephants at Riverbanks Zoo didn’t appear at the Ndoki Forest exhibit magically, even if they do have Disney heritage. It’s been a major undertaking to get the new girls — 37-year-old Robin and 34-year-old Petunia — to Columbia from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and get them used to their new situation at Riverbanks, said mammal curator John Davis. “Moving elephants is quite an operation,...
2007-12-19 - Los Angeles, United States. Carla Hall
The elephant researcher stood in the living room of the sleekly modern Pacific Palisades home perched high on a hill. Slides of an African preserve flashed by on a screen. Elephants "are so social, so communicative, so intelligent," said Joyce Poole, who has dedicated her life to documenting and protecting pachyderms. It is a task that takes money, and the admiring audience was ready to help. "I'd like to put up $25,000," businessman Gil Michaels said. His condition: The rest of the room had to ...
2007-12-19 - ANCHORAGE, United States.
Putting a pachyderm amongst stories about war, corruption and environmental woes may seem crazy. Unless the elephant is named Maggie. Maggie captured the attention and hearts of people throughout the state and the Lower 48 this year when she became ill and collapsed. The event increased the pressure on the Alaska Zoo to find Maggie a new home in a warmer climate. After spending most of her 25 years in Alaska, the zoo decided it would best for the elephant to go some place warmer. Officials chose...
2007-12-19 - Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A lone elephant attacked a rice farm, killing at least four members of the same family in southern Bangladesh, media reports said on Wednesday. The daily Bangladesh Observer said the wild elephant left its herd and entered a village Tuesday near the resort district of Cox's Bazar, 300 kilometres south of the capital Dhaka, and demolished a mud and straw hut where the family was asleep. The dead included a six-month-old girl, the newspaper said.
2007-12-19 - Bangalore, India.
More than 1,000 wild elephants have been given a corridor that links two reserves in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, wildlife officials say. The land was handed over by the animal welfare groups to forest officials in a ceremony in Bangalore. They say that it is the first time that land bought by non-profit wildlife groups has been handed over to a state government to protect wild elephants. They say the corridors are vital to ensure their survival.
2007-12-19 - Kolkata, India. Kumar Sarkar
A giant male tusker on circus Natraj in Kolkata went on the rampage on Wednesday uprooting poles, tearing apart tents, flinging aside tin sheets and scaring circus employees out of their wits. The police, the fire brigade, forest department officials and wild life experts rushed to Tala Park where the Natraj Circus is performing.
2007-12-19 - Cardiff University, United Kingdom. Johnson MB, Clifford SL, Goossens B, Nyakaana S, Curran B, White LJ, Wickings JE, Bruford MW.
Our data do not support the separation of African elephants into two evolutionary lineages. The demographic history of African elephants seems more complex, with a combination of multiple refugial mitochondrial lineages and recurrent hybridization among them rendering a simple forest/savannah elephant split inapplicable to modern African elephant populations.
2007-12-18 - Indore, India. Rajni Khaitan
An elephant walking around with designer shoes in the town has turned a big attraction for people, especially the kids. Radha, the female elephant, was gifted designer shoes for its front foot by Raju Sagar, who is a neighbour to her. The brown shoes are about two feet in length and shaped to suit the elephant's foot. It has thick leather at the bottom. "It took me a lot of time, almost six months to make these shoes. Though the shoes are now ready, I want to make more modifications for a better...
2007-12-18 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
There is such an acute food shortage in Zimbabwe that people are resorting to shooting elephants to stave off the hunger. Johnny Rodrigues, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said game poaching had increased in the past three months. A recent report noted that 900 elephant carcasses had been seen from the air over Chisarira Park in the northwestern region of Zimbabwe.
2007-12-18 - Ranchi, India.
Tribals in the remote villages of Jharkand have launched a massive hunt in the State's dense forest areas to end the mayhem and carnage unleashed by a 'killer' elephant. The killer elephant has become synonymous to a terrorist and the villagers have named the jumbo as 'Laden,' after the al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
2007-12-18 - VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam.
The Central Highlands are very beautiful in spring, with white pansies blooming along the streams, rivers and forests. The villages in this region are already preparing for the holiday season in the spring that will last until the dry season. For the ethnic people, this is a relaxing time of year, with many leisurely activities to enjoy during the days and nights. The sounds of the gong and the drum invite everyone to join. Tourists from all over the country will be attracted to the numerous fes...
2007-12-18 - Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A wild elephant trampled to death three members of a family in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, 310 km southeast of the capital Dhaka, early Tuesday. Locals were quoted by the private news agency UNB as saying that the victims were asleep when the animal attacked the house before dawn. A group of wild elephants coming down from the hills also demolished a number houses and standing crops.
2007-12-18 - St. Louis, United States.
Raja's daughters Maliha and Jade are throwing their father a birthday party! Their "#1 Dad" will receive special presents at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 27 in River's Edge at the Saint Louis Zoo, weather permitting. Visitors are invited to sing "Happy Birthday" and cheer for Raja who turns 15 this year.
2007-12-18 - Bhubaneswar, India.
About 40 elephants have fled the Chandaka Sanctuary here and were on the rampage. This is described as a "winter phenomenon". The forest authorities came to know about the "sanctuary-break story" late Monday when reports reached them that a herd of jumbo inmates trampled a 62-year-old farmer to death. They also injured seven people and destroyed huge crops in a village called Tartua, which is about 50 km from here.
2007-12-18 - Tokyo, Japan. Irie-Sugimoto N, Kobayashi T, Sato T, Hasegawa T., University of Tokyo
The present study explores to what extent Asian elephants show "means-end" behavior. We used captive Asian elephants (N = 2) to conduct four variations of the Piagetian "support" problem, which involves a goal object that is out of reach, but rests on a support within reach. In the first condition, elephants were simultaneously presented with two identical trays serving as the "support", with the bait on one tray and the other tray left empty. In the next two conditions, the bait was placed on o...
2007-12-17 - Surin, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
Trudging the city streets with a hungry four-tonne elephant at your heels is not a job for everyone. But add a cute baby, and tourists flock to pet and feed the grey-brown giants, making the plodding pachyderms more of an investment than a curse for modern mahouts working in Thailand, one of Asia's top holiday destinations. With logging banned in 1989, more babies are hitting streets and trekking camps to meet tourism-driven demand for docile, good-looking animals, said the director of the Thai ...
2007-12-17 - Saigon, Vietnam. Ngoc Minh
The Central Highlands is the land of elephants, with troupes of both tamed and wild elephants, and tourists can witness exciting elephant races every year on March 26 organized by the M’nong people, who are famous for their ability to tame wild elephants.
2007-12-17 - , United States. Timothy Simelane
A Swazi female elephant calf born at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park has been named “Phakamile”. Phakamile was born to a Swazi elephant named Umoya this year, Zoo officials told a San Diedo newspaper on Monday. They said the name ‘Phakamile’ was selected because they understood it to mean ‘noble’. However, the name actually means “the one who has risen high”. The calf was born Sept. 19 this yeat to 17-year-old Umoya, becoming the third pachyderm born at the Wild Animal Par...
2007-12-17 - Fresno, United States. Pablo Lopez / The Fresno Bee
Both sides in a dispute over the future of Fresno Chaffee Zoo said Monday that they have worked out their differences and have a plan to proceed with the zoo's $80 million expansion plans at Roeding Park. By 2014, zoo officials want to create an entry plaza, add a predators habitat with lions and hyenas, create a grasslands area with giraffes and pygmy hippos, and expand the elephant exhibit. A cafe would overlook the grasslands.
2007-12-17 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
One person B Chhotray was killed and four others injured when a herd of seven elephants which had moved out of the Chandaka forests entered a village near Nirakarpur last night. Forest officials said the herd had moved to stretches of wild grassland close to Chilka and since yesterday they had entered Aridi village of Nirakarpur. The injured have been admitted to SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack, the Capital Hospital at Bhubaneswar and the Khurda Hospital. Five squads headed by div...
2007-12-17 - , United States. Terry Weber
As I was watching television the other day, the commentator talked about the elephants of Africa. One of things he said was: “Elephants are probably the most intelligent creatures on earth.” As I thought about his statement, it dawned on me that he was probably right. Why? Well, in the first place, have you ever noticed how big an elephant’s ears are? They are huge! Elephantine! Jumbo! Immense! Another thing I’ve noticed is that elephants have a rather limited vocabulary – they don’t...
2007-12-17 - DHENKANAL, India.
With loss of lives and property escalating day after day due to the ongoing man-elephant conflict, the wildlife and top forest officials directly interacted with the villagers to know their plights for the first time. Suggestion were also given for an action plan to the locals. The direct interaction programme and information, education and communication [IEC] programme started yesterday at Mahavir road. Wildlife conservator, Mr PK Mohan, the former additional principal chief conservator, Mr Sur...
2007-12-16 - Livingstone, Zambia.
After some hiatus in the regular supply of Elephant Pepper products, we are proud to announce the grand re-opening of our revamped website http://www.elephantpepper.com See our new range of grinders and other cool stuff! Importantly the Trust is growing, and we are working with farmers in many countries where elephants raid crops. Thank you for your interest and support. The Elephant Pepper Team
2007-12-16 - Arkansas, United States. Scott Riddle
Here is Amy and Miss Bets. She was born Dec.8 at 5:18am, weighed 263lbs. 35 inches tall, she is very sweet and Amy is doing a great job of taking care of her. She is a natural Mother which makes life much easier on everybody.
2007-12-16 - Kruger National Park, South Africa. Eleanor Momberg
Four of the 12 juvenile elephants captured in Hwange in November 2006 by Shearwater Adventures for its elephant-back safari operations have died in captivity. One escaped, and the ZCTF is investigating reports of cruelty towards the pachyderms.
2007-12-16 - Chiang Mai, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
Lily is an ex-drug addict, BK's tusks were sawed off by poachers and Max was a streetwalker. The wrinkled residents of Thailand's Elephant Nature Park make Babar and Dumbo look like lightweights. While they may sound like the cast of a soap opera, the trio are some of the 30 stars of an elephant conservation project that draws thousands of visitors, curious to hear their stories and see the world's largest land mammals up close. Unlike other tourist attractions involving elephants, the Nature Pa...
2007-12-16 - Yerewan, Armenia.
The zoo in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, has marked the wedding of two elephants Grand and Candy. Hundreds of guests attended the ceremony, complete with traditional Indian dances. The bride came all the way from Moscow. She was a star of Moscow's Animal Theatre, but abandoned her career to be with the elephant she loved. New living quarters were built at the zoo especially for the newlyweds. To watch the story click the VIDEO button.
2007-12-16 - Jeli, Malaysia. Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
Wildlife rangers have captured a bull elephant which strayed into Kampung Kalai here on Friday. The elephant, which have been nicknamed "Awang Kalai", is believed to have been separated from the main herd while moving to higher grounds to avoid rising flood waters. Jeli wildlife chief Mohd Hazlin Qozek Alladdin (correct) said the elephant, aged between 10 and 15 years, was found by a villager who alerted the department.
2007-12-16 - Angul, India.
After a lull of one year, elephant poachers in Satkosia wild life Sanctuary have awaken to activity again. According to a report a tusker is running wild in Kadalikhola area under Majhipara reserve forest of Satkosia with a bullet lodged in its head. Blood stains were also found which proved the fact that the tusker was indeed hurt. Local residents suspect the poachers are on the look out for the injured tusker.
2007-12-16 - Fresno, United States. Marc Benjamin / The Fresno Bee
An ambitious expansion plan at Fresno Chaffee Zoo has been stalled by City Hall, zoo officials say. By 2014, zoo officials want to create an entry plaza, add a predators habitat with lions and hyenas, create a grasslands area with giraffes and pygmy hippos, and expand the elephant exhibit. A cafe would overlook the grasslands.
2007-12-16 - Tulsa, United States. ALTHEA PETERSON
A statue of the late Maverick, a 7-year-old Asian elephant, remains at the Tulsa Zoo's Elephant Encounter area, 14 years after his 1993 death. One animal protection organization worries that the disease that Maverick died from also remains at the zoo. In Defense of Animals, an organization based in San Rafael, Calif., named the Tulsa Zoo at "high risk" for spreading Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus, or EEHV, this month.
2007-12-15 - Kolkata, India. Rajib Chakraborty
Savitri, a circus elephant who made headlines a few months ago after she went off with a tusker in Ranigunj, is expected to give a New Year's gift to the circus company she is working with. The gift will be a calf, as she became pregnant. The elephant spent 10 days in the jungle with the tusker in August. The circus company found the elephant 20 days ago on the city's northern fringes, where people in their thousands thronged daily with food, including banana and coconut leaves, cabbages and cau...
2007-12-14 - Brooklyn, United States. Sabine Heinlein
In my initial investigations I discover that there is indeed an animal clinic and holding facility in the middle of JFK. Michael Jackson’s elephant once spent a night here. Vetport is run by Dr. Weinstein, who leases the building from the Port Authority. It takes in any animal that gets sick on a plane or is found dumped in the airport’s vicinity. It cares for thoroughbred horses that are about to fly around the world to compete in shows and races. Every once in a while, a crate with a tiger...
2007-12-14 - Tezpur, India.
Wild elephants are giving sleepless nights to farmers in the Helam revenue circle near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Sonitpur district. The man-elephant conflict has assumed an alarming proportion in this area with the increasing incidents of the tuskers damaging houses and destroying crops. The menace is taking a toll on the already distressed economic condition of the villagers.
2007-12-14 - WAUCHULA, United States. Linda Lee
If the thought of spending a holiday slathered in mud conjures images of a spa - well, you probably haven't been fossil hunting in Florida lately. That's how I spent part of a recent visit, and somewhat to my surprise, I found it as relaxing as a massage and a lot more stimulating.
2007-12-14 - INDIANAPOLIS, United States.
Dan Buesching still remembers the day he stumbled across the bones of a mastodon while working at the family peat bog in northeastern Indiana. When he hit the skull entombed in the soil of an ancient lake in 1998, he thought it was a tree stump. But then he saw the white enamel of the fist-sized teeth. “I was just kind of shocked,” Buesching said.
2007-12-14 - Yerevan, Armenia. Marianna Grigoryan
Armenia’s bachelor elephant, who has been desperate for a wife already for several years, has finally found his match. The “wedding of the year” between Grand and Masha from Russia took place at Yerevan’s Zoo on Sunday and proceeded in a pompous atmosphere in the presence of hundreds of guests.
2007-12-13 - COIMBATORE, India.
The State has allocated funds to acquire 400 acres of elephant corridors, encroached in Tamil Nadu, said Forest Minister N Selvaraj here on Wednesday, after visiting forest watcher R Perumal, hospitalised following an attack by an elephant. A sum of Rs 2.68 crore has been allocated to make elephant corridors free of encroachments, the Minister told reporters.
2007-12-13 - , United States.
Animal lovers can do their bit for conservation with a virtual gift that will help some charismatic species, including the Asian elephant. The zoo has launched its Wildest Wishes range, offering gift-buyers the chance to pick up a range of gifts that will help animals. From £15 upwards, people can pick from gifts including The Spice of Life or the Purrfect gift for Cat Lovers. To help people who have left their Christmas shopping to the last minute, Wildest Wishes can now be bought through the ...
2007-12-13 - Waterberg, South Africa. Robyn Dixon
Samson, otherwise known as Elephant No. 1, is twisting his trunk around some succulent young tufts of grass, tugging them up and throwing them into his mouth, perfectly aware we have sneaked up on him but willing to nonchalantly ignore us, for now. We crouch on a rock about 40 yards away -- about as close to a wild bull elephant as it is safe to get on foot. Even though Samson shows no signs of irritation, it's nice to be with David Powrie, who is something of an elephant whisperer.
2007-12-13 - Waco, United States.
Cameron Park Zoo’s new elephant, Tanya, is now on exhibit. Tanya, who is a 28-year-old female African elephant, arrived from the Abilene zoo in late October. She and Tembo are now on exhibit together. Cameron Park Zoo, in conjunction with the Elephant Species Survival Program (SSP), sent one of the zoo’s African elephants, Zoe, to the Kansas City zoo. The Kansas City zoo has the largest herd of African elephants within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Zoe is on breeding loan to the Kan...
2007-12-13 - DHENKANAL, India.
With food and water becoming scarce in the forests, wild animals like elephants, monkeys and bears continue to change their habits. It has become a cause of concern for the people who live in rural areas of the district. Instances of crops being damaged by elephants have become quite common. The locals have to spend sleepless nights as a result of this.
2007-12-13 - Tacoma, United States.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium of Metro Parks Tacoma is seeking an Animal Care Technician to perform a variety of skilled duties involved in the care, observation, maintenance, propagation and management of assigned animal species. This position will be initially assigned to the Southeast Asia area (e.g. tapirs, anoa, small clawed otters, gibbons, siamangs, tigers, crested porcupines and fill in for elephants) and will be tasked with the care, breeding and operant conditioning/training of the ani...
2007-12-12 - COIMBATORE, India.
A man was injured following an attack by one among the herd of elephants which strayed into the Chettipalayam region on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday. The forest department personnel were trying to chase the herd comprising one tusker, two cow elephants and a calf, when one of them stamped Perumal, a forest ranger. According to District Forest Officer I Anwardeen, District Collector Neeraj Mittal has been contacted and arrangements have been made to admit the injured to a private hospital...
2007-12-12 - Singapore, Singapore. Melanie Lee, Neil Chatterjee and Miral Fahmy
Sexy Manolos or Jimmy Choos may top the wishlist of many women this Christmas, but huge waterproof boots were the ideal festive gift for two jumbo females at Singapore's zoo. Vets on Wednesday fitted Asian elephants Tun and Jamilah with specially-made protective boots made from a durable, breathable fabric in a bid to relieve their chronic foot lesions. Tun, 20 years old, has one front leg longer than the other. Her problems started when a male elephant in the same exhibit mounted her and caused...
2007-12-12 - Coimbatore, India.
The Tamil Nadu government was taking steps to acquire the land encroached by private parties along the forest fringes across the state, in a bid to curb straying of wild elephants to human inhabited areas. State Forest Minister N Selvaraj said today that the Government had already identified 400 acres of such encroached land. The government has allocated Rs. 2.68 crores for the purpose. Selvaraj was talking to reporters here, after visiting a forest official, injured in an elephant attack, at a ...
2007-12-12 - California, United States. Rex Dalton
Bullet-like pieces of what is thought to be an ancient meteorite shower have been found embedded in mammoth tusks and bison bone. The discovery of the 2–5 millimetre holes left by meteorites opens a window into a impact event thought to have happened over Alaska and Russia tens of thousands of years ago. And it could provide a whole new way to chart impacts from space.
2007-12-11 - COIMBATORE, India.
A herd of four wild elephants- a calf, one tusker and two cows-strayed into Chettipalayam region causing a flutter on Monday. A forester sustained minor injuries after he was given a `gentle’ kick by an elephant, while another officer sustained bruises following a chase by the animals. The forest officials received information about the wild elephants on the rear side of the government employees’ residential quarters at around 5 am. Around 7.30 am, Forester Natarajan, gone in search of the h...
2007-12-11 - Tshering Palden, Bhutan.
A herd of 24 elephants, the biggest herd seen so far in Samtse, ravaged several acres of paddy, millet and potato fields in Chargarey on December 3. The elephants also trampled on and destroyed several doma (betel nut) trees on their rampage. Villagers told Kuensel that it took more than seven hours for about 150 people, including soldiers, 17 foresters and the villagers, to chase the elephants from the fields. Villagers suspect that the elephants entered Bhutan via Thaljora in India and moved u...
2007-12-11 - DHENKANAL, India.
Elephants are found everywhere, along the road, in rural and urban habitations and even in places of tourist interest. Fearing that presence of elephants in large numbers would lead to decline in tourism, the forest officials here launched an awareness campaign,'Be aware of elephants' to educate tourists about the alarming situation. As thousands of tourists throng places like Kapilas, Saptasajya, Deer Park, Science Centre, Ganesh Khola and many other areas of importance the forest division aler...
2007-12-11 - Munich, Germany. Michaela Rehle
German actress Wolke Hegenbarth and elephant trainer Rene Casselly perform on an elephant's back during the charity circus gala night with VIPs as participants in Munich's circus Krone December 1, 2007. The well-known TV gala 'Stars in der Manege' will be broadcasted on December 26 on German television.
2007-12-11 - San Diego, United States.
A female African elephant calf born at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park late this summer has been named Phakamile, which means "noble" in the African language of siSwati, zoo officials announced Monday. The calf was born Sept. 19 to 17-year-old Umoya, becoming the third pachyderm born at the Wild Animal Park over the previous 12 months.
2007-12-11 - Francistown, Botswana. Martha Makwates
Our government wisely wishes to diversify the economy. A carrot is dangled by underscoring job opportunities - more than 3000 jobs at a minimum wage of P600 per month - by cultivating 10,000 hectares of sugar cane and harnessing the water of the Zambesi River. But count the cost -10,000 hectares of Kasane forest reserve replaced by sugar cane! In a country with a land surface consisting largely of Kalahari Desert, every tree is precious.
2007-12-11 - Bhopal, India.
Re-emergence of wild elephants in Madhya Pradesh's forests is ironically both exhilarating as well as a cause for concern. Lately, pachyderms have been observed roaming in the jungles of Sidhi and Shahdol districts adjoining Chhattisgarh while isolated cases of elephant poaching were also reported, Forests Department officials informed.
2007-12-11 - Tesso Nilo National Park, Indonesia. Adam Tomasek, World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund inspects damage to a village home in Sumatra. A woman was asleep in the bedroom with her husband and baby son when a wild elephant crashed into their kitchen. Here villagers clear land for palm oil and food crops. But in other areas farmers have burned much of the elephants' habitat to make coffee sold in Europe and North America. The elephants must struggle to survive alongside humans, who see them as a dangerous nuisance.
2007-12-11 - Francistown, Botswana.
Many government officials believe there are too many elephants in Botswana and they would like to be able to make a bit of cash from regular sales of ivory and other cull by-products. It stands to reason then that they wouldn't be too upset if the proposed sugar plantation in Kasane were to create a need to shoot 'problem' elephants that tried to break through the fence to feast on the sweet plants.
2007-12-10 - Berhampur, India.
Andhra Pradesh may have to wait for a few more days before taking any steps for driving away a herd of wild elephants back to their natural habitat at Lakhary Valley elephant reserve in Orissa. This was recommended by a high-level expert committee, constituted by the central government to resolve the row between the two neighbouring states over translocation of the pachyderms which had strayed into Andhra Pradesh from Orissa, official sources said today.
2007-12-10 - Orissa, India.
A canal project in Indias Orissa state has hampered the movement of the areas elephant population, resulting in the local government being forced to draw up a conservation plan to protect both the movement and welfare of the animals. Construction of the Rengali canal, and an irrigation project in particular, has directly affected the movement of over 600 elephants, the New India Press reported.
2007-12-10 - RANI, India. Kishore Talukdar
The man-elephant conflict has assumed an alarming proportion here at the remote rural parts bordering Meghalaya with the incidents of killing as well as colossal destruction of standing crops by the herd of jumbos becoming the order of the day. The ill-fated farmers are reportedly on the receiving end as the menace has taken heavy toll on their already distressed economic state. Yet the Government is far from taking the matter seriously.
2007-12-09 - Jakarta, Indonesia. Kurniawan Hari
Save Our Species (SOS) is an educational campaign for elementary to high school students grouped in the WWF Junior Conservationist program. This year, the campaign centers on efforts to save the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), two endangered, indigenous species. About 120 students from several schools took part in the Nov. 24 event.
2007-12-08 - Kruger National Park, South Africa. Michele Hofmeyer
Elephants are hefty herbivores and are well known for their destructive feeding behaviour, which has been shown in areas around Africa to change the look of the landscape. But how does this affect the smaller creatures further along the food chain? This is a question that is being tackled by an ambitious research programme being led by the Organisation for Tropical Studies (OTS) who are currently working in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
2007-12-08 - Nagercoil, India.
With the onset of the pilgrim season in Sabarimala hill shrine, elephants in the nearby jungles were moving to the adjacent forests of Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district, forest officials said on Saturday. According to District Forest Officer of Kanyakumari, Sundar Raju, around 60 elephants have entered the forests in Kaliyal, Kulasekaram and Azhagiyapandipuram of the district. Speaking to reporters, he said that the elephants were terrified by the huge flow of pilgrims to the hill shrine.
2007-12-08 - Goshen, United States. Chris McKenna
Sure, it's December, so you expect to see a manger and menorah amid the bureaucratic humdrum of the Orange County Government Center lobby. But, gee, what's that other exhibit squeezed between the holiday displays? Why, of course: A large brown mastodon skull. Enclosed there in a glass case, pointing its tusks at all the bored homo sapiens waiting at the motor vehicles counter, is a life-sized replica of the noggin of the famous Warren Mastodon, prehistoric pride of Orange County.
2007-12-08 - Coimbatore, India. V.S. Palaniappan
The forest department in Coimbatore district is initiating a series of measures to mitigate man-animal conflicts in the fringe areas of the reserve forests during the coming summer beginning from end of January 2008. The measures include provision of solar fencing in man-animal conflict-prone pockets, deployment of anti-depredation squads, installation of high power search lights to scare away pachyderms and habitat improvement programmes in the reserve forests.
2007-12-07 - San Diego, United States.
In October 2007, construction began on the San Diego Zoo’s newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Elephant Odyssey, a seven-acre habitat that will house a variety of animals which inhabited Southern California more than 10,000 years ago. The $44-million project, slated to open in spring 2009, will be the Zoo’s largest multi-species habitat in its 91-year history, bringing together a herd of nine Asian elephants, lions, wild horses, California condors, and sloths.
2007-12-07 - BARIPADA, India.
The elephants have struck once again, and this time they have damaged standing crops of over 24 acres of land in Pal, Dhansul, Kasdihi, Ghanghana and Tadki villages during the last couple of days. According to agitated villagers, a herd of 30 elephants had crossed over from Chapaban forest of West Bengal and destroyed crops as well as seven huts in Kasdihi village. From then on, they are on the move, trampling crops at will, alleged the locals. The villagers have urged the administration to sanc...
2007-12-07 - , United States. Pam Vetter
Tom Rider, a former employee of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is on a mission to save elephants from cruelty. Early next year, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Rider, the Animal Welfare Institute, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Protection Institute, and the Fund for Animals, will get a trial date. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2000, has taken a long path toward trial.
2007-12-07 - London, United Kingdom. Gillian Hargreaves
Today few circus goers find it palatable to watch tigers jump through hoops or elephants dance. A ban on circus animals looked inevitable... then the experts delivered their verdict. Once the spectacle of seeing a lion, tiger or elephant performing under the Big Top was commonplace. Now, only one British circus keeps big cats, and fewer than 50 wild animals perform in four UK-owned circuses including seven tigers, eight camels, five lions, several zebras and a retired elephant called Anne who to...
2007-12-07 - San Diego, United States. Imperial Valley News
In a year that has already seen the birth of two African elephants at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, the birth of one more of the threatened species is icing on the proverbial cake. And it is sweet, as Lungile (Loon-gee-lee), a 16-year-old elephant, gave birth November 29, to a female calf. "This birth is a culmination of quite a successful year for African elephant births at the Wild Animal Park, with three births in 2007," said Jeff Andrews, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park animal care ...
2007-12-07 - Toronto, Canada. Randy Boswell
A Canadian zoo is at the centre of a bizarre cross-border controversy after animal-rights advocates in Washington state urged American wildlife officials to halt a planned U.S.-bound shipment of semen from a Canadian elephant suspected of having bad seed. Biologists at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle are seeking sperm from 39-year-old Rex, an Asian elephant at the African Lion Safari west of Toronto to impregnate 29-year-old Chai, who recently lost her six-year-old daughter Hansa to a newly discove...
2007-12-06 - COAL VALLEY, United States. Kristy Mergenthal
An animal rights group is attacking zoos who house Asian elephants, saying they're not taking proper care of them. The group called In Defense of Animals released a report saying zoos with Asian elephants aren't doing enough to protect the endangered species from a virus. It's a form of herpes found in Asian elephants. Niabi zoo says its elephants do have the virus but there's no risk of it spreading.
2007-12-06 - BERHAMPUR, India.
The high level committee appointed by the Centre to resolve the row between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh over translocation of elephants is scheduled to meet on Wednesday at Visakhapatnam. The committee, headed by a retired forest official from Karnataka, was appointed by the Centre following mounting pressure from Andhra Pradesh when the State Government strongly opposed forcible translocation of elephants from their territory to Orissa.
2007-12-06 - Rockton, Canada. Randy Boswell
A Canadian zoo is at the centre of a bizarre cross-border controversy after animal-rights advocates in Washington state urged American wildlife officials to halt a planned U.S.-bound shipment of semen from a Canadian elephant suspected of having bad seed. Biologists at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle are seeking sperm from 39-year-old Rex - an Asian elephant at the African Lion Safari west of Toronto - to impregnate 29-year-old Chai, who recently lost her six-year-old daughter Hansa to a newly disc...
2007-12-06 - Bangalore, India. Team Mangalorean
The outskirts of Bangalore city today resembled an African Safari. A large herd of pachyderms roamed about freely trampling on the gardens, fields and chasing curious onlookers who came out of their houses. There were some calves also which were found in a bamboo grove near the village Jigani of Anekal Taluk in Bangalore Urban area. The herd lingered there for more than six hours since Thursday morning.
2007-12-06 - Chiang Mai, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
The Thai Elephant Orchestra is about to release a third CD and, like all real artists, the world's only non-human musical ensemble doesn't give a thump about the critics or the charts. The 14-member group at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampung, northern Thailand, plays simple woodwinds, harmonicas, a few string instruments and drums under the guidance of maestro Dave Soldier, the orchestra's composer and co-founder.
2007-12-06 - New Delhi, India. Mausam Sharma
The 80-year-old elephant, Arundhati, who succumbed to her injuries at Rajaji National Park in Dehradun in October due to multiple fractures in her right leg wouldn’t have undergone such an agonising end if she had been given the right pain killing drugs at that time. The incident has forced officials to formulate a policy on ‘problematic elephants’.
2007-12-06 - Siliguri, India.
Wild elephant trampled a 60-year old lady to death at Mongpong Bhanga Basti under the Rambhi police station in Kalimpong subdivision last night. The deceased, Guma Devi Khadke was trodden by the tusker after she failed to escape the foray into her house at about 11 pm. The wild elephant also ravaged three hutments at the village before going back into the nearby forest from where it had arrived. The death of the aged lady sparked off an agitation in the area as no police or forest officials reac...
2007-12-06 - Guwahati, India. PULLOCK DUTTA
Assam is having a lean season not only in terms of winter tourists but migratory birds, too. If violence is keeping tourists away this winter, migratory birds are staying away from one of their favourite seasonal habitats in the state because of the man-elephant conflict. For the past three months, the forest department and residents of villages in Jorhat district have been bursting crackers regularly to keep rampaging elephant herds at bay. The cacophony may not have scared the elephants away f...
2007-12-06 - Fort Worth, United States.
The Fort Worth Zoo has an open keeper position working with Asian elephants, Asian rhino, and Nile hippopotamus. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing animal care, monitoring animal health, maintaining cleanliness of animal areas, providing enrichment and training, and making minor exhibit modification. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, one-year experience working with elephants preferably in a zoo setting, good communication/organizational skills, a...
2007-12-06 - San Antonio, United States.
The San Antonio Zoo currently has a need for a Zoo Keeper in our Elephant Department. Duties include daily cleaning, feeding, and maintenance of animal exhibits. Zoo Keepers observe, evaluate, and report animal behavior and condition to their supervisor on a daily basis. They assist in treating Zoo animals in accordance with instructions from their supervisor or veterinarian. Minimum qualifications include ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments; valid driver...
2007-12-06 - Springfield, United States.
Dickerson Park Zoo has suspended elephant breeding for the time being. This week a California group called “In Defense of Animals” called on the Springfield Zoo to stop breeding Asian elephants because of the frequency of the herpes virus. Herpes caused the death of Springfield’s 16 month old elephant calf, Nisha, a few days ago. Zoo Director Mike Crocker said the suspension has nothing to do with the criticism. Instead, the zoo is without a reliable male breeding elephant.
2007-12-05 - London, United Kingdom. Lewis Smith
Members of an elephant family may be out of sight but they are always in the minds of the herd’s matriarchs, reseachers have found. Tests have found that female elephants are able to remember the whereabouts of at least 17 family members simultaneously and perhaps as many as 30. They can keep mental tabs on which of their relations are ahead of them when the herd searches for food, which of them are lagging behind and which are travelling in separate groups.
2007-12-05 - London, United Kingdom. Helen Briggs
Elephants keep track on up to 30 absent relatives by sniffing out their scent and building up a mental map of where they are, research suggests. Herd members use their good memory and keen sense of smell to keep in touch as they travel in large groups, according to a study of wild elephants in Kenya.
2007-12-05 - Budapest, Hungary.
A real estate developer has paid half million forints (about 2,000 euros) to adopt a female elephant in the Budapest zoo and asked a popular actor to serve as stepfather, it was announced on Wednesday. Actor Sandor Csanyi said he would be delighted to be pachyderm Zitta's stepfather on behalf of Elephant Holding and stated that he had loved babar as a child and had written to Santa Claus asking for an elephant when he was eight years old.
2007-12-05 - Seattle, United States. Amy Rausch
An animal rights group criticized U.S. zoos for breeding and transferring Asian elephants despite the known risks of a deadly virus, but a local zoo official said facilities are handling the risk appropriately. In Defense of Animals distributed its report Tuesday and claimed U.S. zoos are putting Asian elephants at risk for spreading Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus. This weekend, a young Asian elephant died from the virus at a Missouri zoo.
2007-12-05 - Los Angeles, United States. Pam Wetter
Melya Kaplan is a teacher and an activist. As the Founder and Executive Director of Voice for the Animals Foundation, Kaplan speaks out on behalf of the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo. “The tide is turning. Elephant exhibits are being phased out all over this country. The Bronx Zoo is phasing out their elephant exhibit.
2007-12-05 - Kaziranga, India.
A 60-year-old tamed Asiatic tusker which killed an American tourist as well as the elephant she was riding in 1999 at the Kaziranga National Park has died of old age, but not without leaving behind some fond memories for park rangers. The nearly 10-foot elephant, named Godapani, died Sunday at the park, 220 km east of Assam's main city of Guwahati, bringing tears to the eyes of many officials and forest guards at Kaziranga.
2007-12-05 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
The memories of Kalinga - the nine month- old baby elephant of Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary which met with a sudden death after 40 days of ‘captivity for a cause’ - could now come through a documentary film to reveal the real story and more. The real life story will be transformed into the digital documentation with the active support of the sanctuary authorities who are producing the film and a team of volunteers who have come forward to contribute their efforts to make the venture a lifetime...
2007-12-05 - Guwahati, India.
A delegation of wildlife NGOs of the Northeast and the World Wildlife Fund today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop the killing of elephants in Assam and ensure conviction of people who intentionally kill them. Citing Assam’s Sonitpur district as an example where the problem is at its worst, members of the delegation requested Singh to generate political will at the state level to protect the forests and wildlife in the state.
2007-12-04 - Kotdwar, India.
One person was killed in an elephant attack at Sigaddi in Uttarakhand on Sunday night. Bharat Singh, 68, was trying to chase the tuskers away from his field. One of the elephants caught and crushed him to death. The district forest officer has declared an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5,000.
2007-12-04 - western ghats, India.
Illegal electrification of farm fences has resulted in the death of many elephants due to electrocution in the western ghats. Shivakumar Kanasogi assesses the jumbo problem. Recently, in the western ghat region, a baby elephant died when it came in contact with the electrified fences of a paddy field. It had come in search of food along with its mother, when it was struck by death. The grieving mother ran amuck and ransacked the nearby village. It destroyed a cow shed and even attacked a calf.
2007-12-04 - Onondaga County, United States. Meghan Rubado
Major projects in downtown Syracuse, Fayetteville and at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo received a big boost last week from a state grant fund. The Environmental Protection Fund will supply the recently announced zoo enhancement project with $400,000. That will cut to $6.3 million the sum that Onondaga County will need to borrow for the $7.7 million upgrade to expand the zoo's Asian elephant exhibit.
2007-12-04 - Indianapolis, United States. Rob Schneider
Six conservationists recognized for their work on behalf of animals have been named finalists for the 2008 Indianapolis Prize and its $100,000 cash award. The 2008 finalists are: Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Rodney Jackson, K. Ullas Karanth, Laurie Marker, Roger Payne, George Schaller. The Indianapolis Zoo, which bestows the award biennially, selected the finalists from 29 nominees. The winner will be announced next summer, and the $100,000 and Lilly Medal will be formally presented at a gala in India...
2007-12-04 - New York, United States. C. CLAIBORNE RAY
Q. How keen is an elephant’s sense of smell, and where in the trunk is it handled? A. The sense of smell is very keen indeed, said Pat Thomas, general curator of the Bronx Zoo. “In fact it has been reported that elephants can smell water several miles away,” he said.
2007-12-04 - Syracuse, United States.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is ready to make a major upgrade to its Zoo program. Tuesday afternoon, Onondaga County lawmakers okayed a $7.7 million project at the zoo for the elephants. The elephants just need more space and that´s what the project will create. Most importantly a bigger indoor facility also part of the project is a pavilion for people to watch the elephants when they’re in the day yard.
2007-12-04 - LAHAN, Nepal.
Five persons were killed and a woman was injured in an attack by a mad wild elephant in Siraha, Saptari and Udayapur districts. Ram Kripal Mochi,45, Tulai Mahato,45, and Manbir Yadav,55, were killed by the elephant in a place called Ekartiya Haripur of Taregana Govindapur VDC of Siraha district while the same elephant killed one person each in Manpur of Saptari and Hadiya of Udayapur. Their identity is not known. Likewise, Malwa Paswan,55, of Laxmipur-5, Siraha was injured when she was attacked ...
2007-12-04 - Las Vegas, United States.
“In the USA, only one person dies per year as a result of attacks by captive big cats, 1.5 by captive reptiles, 0.81 by captive elephant, 0.125 by captive bear and 0 by captive non-human primate. In comparison, 45,000 people die each year in traffic accidents, 47 by lightning, and 1,600 by falling from stairs. We have detailed information on our website http://www.rexano.org about our ongoing fight against uninformed legislators and animal rights (AR) activists,” says Scott Shoemaker, a co-f...
2007-12-04 - Surin, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
Trudging the city streets with a hungry four-tonne elephant at your heels is not a job for everyone. But add a cute baby, and tourists flock to pet and feed the grey-brown giants, making the plodding pachyderms more of an investment than a curse for modern mahouts working in Thailand, one of Asia's top holiday destination. With logging banned in 1989, more babies are hitting streets and trekking camps to meet tourism-driven demand for docile, good-looking animals, said the director of the Thai E...
2007-12-04 - Royal Bardia, Nepal.
Raja Gaj, a bull (male) elephant who stands nearly 12 feet tall at the shoulder, has not been seen for a year in Nepal's Royal Bardia National Park, Japan Today reported Tuesday. Raja Gaj was the subject of scientific speculation several years ago, as his sheer size and peculiarly domed head led some to wonder if he might be a genetic throwback to extinct species such as the mammoths and mastodons. But a DNA test later confirmed he was a regular Asian elephant.
2007-12-04 - St Andrews, United Kingdom. Bates LA, Sayialel KN, Njiraini NW, Poole JH, Moss CJ, Byrne RW. University of St Andrews
Monitoring the location of conspecifics may be important to social mammals. Here, we use an expectancy-violation paradigm to test the ability of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) to keep track of their social companions from olfactory cues. We presented elephants with samples of earth mixed with urine from female conspecifics that were either kin or unrelated to them, and either unexpected or highly predictable at that location.
2007-12-04 - Orlando, United States.
Maintain the care, well-being, management, behavioral conditioning and enrichment of the elephant collection. Ensure the daily routines of cleaning, animal observation, diet preparation and reporting medical needs and abnormal conditions to zoological managers. The keeper is also responsible for maintaining daily records, collecting and logging information and insuring this information is communicated to management and the central record keeping system of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
2007-12-04 - Memphis, United States.
We have an opening for a Keeper in our Elephant area. This position requires a minimum of two years of experience in exotic animal care, including knowledge of training concepts and philosophies needed to work with pachyderms and a varied collection of hooved animals and birds, and a college degree in zoology, biology or a related field (or the equivalent combination of education and experience). Prefer significant experience with operant conditioning. One to two years experience working in a pr...
2007-12-03 - SPRINGFIELD, United States. Melinda Arnold, Dickerson Park Zoo News Release
The 16-month-old elephant calf, Nisha, at Dickerson Park Zoo died in the early hours of Saturday morning from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). Animal care staff administered medications last night at 8 p.m. and remained with the elephants throughout the night. Nisha first showed signs of EEHV on Thursday afternoon when elephant keepers recognized initial symptoms: tongue discoloration and a lesion on the roof of Nisha's mouth.
2007-12-03 - DHENKANAL, India.
Presently elephants are found everywhere in Dhenkanal district. They rule the road, forest, rural and urban communities. Forest officials have launched awareness campaign to educate tourists and picnickers to be aware of elephants. As December arrives the thousands of tourists throng to tourist places and places of importance like Kapilas, Saptasajya, Deer park, Science center , Ganesh Khola and many other places of importance. In addition to these visitors take a lot of interests to visit art a...
2007-12-03 - Chennai, India. T.S. SUBRAMANIAN & DESIKAN KRISHNAN
STANDING on the beach, Yevgeniya watches wide-eyed as Vijayakumari, a seven-year-old elephant, hauls logs of wood up a slope and on to a platform from where they are rolled down. The young Ukranian had come on a tour of the island archipelago with her husband Indranil Chaudhury from Kolkata. And the deserted beachfront of Havelock Island, where young elephants are being trained by mahouts in logging operations, provides just the right kind of entertainment.
2007-12-03 - Kolkata, India.
Frequent deaths of elephants due to collision with trains in north Bengal have finally forced the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to sit up and take notice of the situation. In a significant step, the ministry has identified four vulnerable elephant corridors in the area and has accordingly given recommendations to the Railway Board.
2007-12-02 - Kolkata, India.
Frequent deaths of elephants due to collision with trains in north Bengal have finally forced the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to sit up and take notice of the situation. In a significant step, the ministry has identified four vulnerable elephant corridors in the area and has accordingly given recommendations to the Railway Board. In a span of seven years, 26 elephants have been killed in North Bengal. Nine elephants have been killed in the last two years alone.
2007-12-02 - Guwahati, India.
Kaziranga National Park today lost its loveable rogue, a 78-year-old tusker who ferried tourists through the grasslands of the rhino habitat for 30 years before a mid-safari joust with a rival elephant killed an American woman and forced it into premature retirement. “We will miss him,” divisional forest officer Bankim Sarma said of Gadapani.
2007-12-02 - Springfield, United States. Michelle Sherwood
Veterinarians at Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo are studying the death of Nisha, she’s the 16-month old elephant that died yesterday morning at the zoo. Officials say she was treated for a herpes virus that usually kills elephants in just five days. Zoo officials say Nisha received aggressive treatment and good care, but now one California-based animal group called In Defense of Animals, is calling for the zoo to stop breeding. The group claims that the facility is contaminated.
2007-11-30 - Asheboro, United States.
Successful candidate will be assigned to the Watani Grasslands section, working with African elephants and/or white rhinoceros, a variety of African antelope, and some African birds, including ostrich. Specific animal assignment will depend on the section needs and the skills and experiences of the candidate. Regardless of primary assignment, candidate will be expected to assist working with the care of other species within the work unit. Responsibilities include daily assessment and care of exh...
2007-11-29 - SILIGURI, India.
The villagers of Dabgram, Salugara, Fabri and Bedgara villages adjacent to Eastern Bypass in Siliguri, are spending sleepless nights because of a scattered herd of 22 wild elephants. The pachyderm raids are keeping the forest officials deputed in these localities wide awake as well since they are finding it difficult to keep the beasts at bay. Last night, a group of four wild elephants, entered the village of Fabri and ravaged three huts. They also destroyed a sizeable volume of crops. No one wa...
2007-11-29 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
Seizure of ivory, weighing about 42 kg in Rayagada, has once again pointed at a strong illegal wildlife trade in the State. Police on Wednesday seized the ivory from Rayagada district’s Muniguda area and handed them over to forest officials. Two persons have been arrested in this connection. The value of the tusks could be several lakhs since the average price per kilogram now depends on what a smuggler quotes, a forest official said.
2007-11-29 - Guangdong, China. Liu Fang
Ivory carving is a time-honored craft for centuries in south China's Guangdong province. The craft reached its acme during the Ming and Qing dynasties. For many years the ivory trade was brisk. Then in the late 1980's that trade came to an end as an international ban was imposed on trading ivory. Then, local craftsmen began seeking a new medium for their artistic creations. Zhang Minhui in Guangzhou, chose ox bones.
2007-11-29 - New York, United States. Les C. Stutzman
Chembio Diagnostic, Inc. (OTC BB: CEMI.OB – News) announces that it has been issued an United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) license for its ElephantTB STAT-PAK Assay designed to rapidly (< 20 minutes) detect tuberculosis (TB) in both Asian and African elephants. Chembio’s other rapid serological TB assay – PrimaTB STAT-PAK received USDA licensure earlier this year. Both products belong to a larger family of rapid immunochromatographic assays currently under development at Chembio...
2007-11-28 - KOLLAM, India.
Health cards issued by the Animal Husbandry Department have become mandatory for elephants to participate in temple rituals and gaja melas. At a camp organised at Kottiyam on Tuesday, 35 tuskers were issued the health card. The camp was organised by the department in association with the Forest Department, the Kerala Elephant Owners Federation, and the Kollam unit of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Senior veterinary surgeon of the AHD B. Aravind said that the tuskers wer...
2007-11-28 - PALAKKAD, India.
Animal lovers have demanded that the government take action against the Elephant Welfare Trust of India for organising a Gajamela here on November 25. The Wildlife Protection Society of India, in a complaint sent to the Forest Minister and the Chief Wildlife Warden on Tuesday, said that the Elephant Welfare Trust of India organised a Gajamela and a march on the city roads on Sunday. It was organised with the support of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Forest and Police Departmen...
2007-11-28 - DUN, India.
A female elephant has gone missing from the Rajaji national park of Uttarakhand. Mamata was roaming in Chilla range of the park along with two other elephants yesterday when a wild tusker approached them. While the other two, Ragini and Radha, went back to their training camps, Mamata decided to follow her ‘date’ and is missing since then.
2007-11-28 - New York, United States.
Paris Hilton was on "Ellen" today, and Ellen asked her about the rumors circulating a few weeks ago that Paris was embarking on a "Global Elephant Campaign" to save drunk elephants in India. The AP originally published the story, but then they killed it, leaving us very confused. Now, Paris sets the record straight:
2007-11-28 - Wendy Edelstein, United States.
Among her colleagues at the Tang Center, primary-care nurse Julie Barnett is known as “elephant girl.” Barnett earned her nickname because she’s committed to aiding Asian elephants, a cause she came to several years ago after visiting a sanctuary for the abused mammals in northern Thailand. Julie Barnett rides Pang Lom, a 4-year-old elephant who was malnourished and frightened before being rescued from the streets and moved to an elephant sanctuary.
2007-11-27 - San Andreas, United States. BETH BRAGG
About the only thing keeping Alaska's favorite ex-pat from mixing it up with those elephants on the other side of the fence is a little muscle. With that fitness goal in mind, we bring you Maggie's 10-minute workout video. It's not quite Carmen Electra on a pole. But fans of Maggie will crack a smile, if not break a sweat, watching the latest video from the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif., where Alaska's lone elephant took up residency at the beginning of the m...
2007-11-27 - Washington, United States.
An underwater archaeologist has found what may be an etching of a mastodon at the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Members of a local tribe believe that there is a spear in the mastodon, which would be hard evidence that humans hunted the prehistoric elephant-like animals. Tom Kramer of Interlochen Public Radio reports.
2007-11-27 - Calcutta, India.
Villagers in Teldhala had heard the same blood-curdling cries a year ago. This time, it was Kanchi Marak. The cornered fifty-year-old could do little to save himself as rogue elephants trampled him to death in his village on Dalangiri hills under Mancachar police station last week. In October last year, rampaging elephants killed four persons in the same village, located on the state’s border with Meghalaya. Months before that, four people, including a newborn, were trampled by a wild herd of ...
2007-11-27 - New Delhi, India.
PARIS HILTON has denied claims that she’s been helping drunk elephants sober up. In the last few months there have been a number of cases in Northwest India where wild elephants have caused themselves harm after becoming inebriated by drinking homemade rice beer. It was reported that socialite Hilton had spoken up after hearing about six deaths in the elephant community which occured after they drank the potent brew. Conservationists applauded Hilton’s interference in the matter, hoping her ...
2007-11-26 - Washington, United States. David Chircop
During the most recent Ice Age, this slice of North America was a prime stomping ground for mammoths. The giant elephant-like beasts were heavily concentrated in the central and northern Puget Sound lowlands. Why they became extinct is still a mystery. Molars of the Columbian mammoth are the most common mammoth remains found in Washington. In fact, the Columbian mammoth — which foraged grasses along meadows, bogs and ponds 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago — is the state fossil.
2007-11-26 - Surin, Thailand. Antoinette van de Water
Only a few minutes after we sent out the urgent call for help last week, the responses came in. Thank you so much for all your support and sympathy! It is special to notice how much involved everyone is. Together we were able to rescue Faa Sai! I’m so proud of Bring the Elephant Home. Beneath you will find a report about the rescue of Faa Sai.
2007-11-26 - Surin, Thailand. Gillian Murdoch
2007-11-26 - PALAKKAD, India.
The gajamela-2007 organised by the Elephant Welfare Trust at the BEM high school ground here on Sunday was witnessed by hundreds of people. Fourty-one elephants were paraded during the show. More than 50 foreign tourists were brought to witness the show. Every elephant was brought to a specially erected platform and three foreign tourists were assisted to get on top of each elephant. A bed sheet was spread over the back of each elephant and two ropes were tied on each side for the tourist to hol...
2007-11-26 - PARALAKHEMUNDI, India.
One of the elephants belonging to the jumbo herd, that sneaked into Andhra Pradesh recently, died of electrocution in AP on Sunday. The herd from Lakhari forest entered the AP limits recently and had caused extensive damage following which ‘Operation Gajendra’ was started. On Sunday, a herd of eight elephants was reportedly seen near K Gopalpuram village in Birgotam mandal, AP. Receiving information, a team of forest officials reached the village and found an elephant dead near a power trans...
2007-11-26 - Tokyo, Japan.
This Christmas, elephants are all set to bring some cheer to Japan. Three Asian elephants have been practicing intensively over the last few weeks to learn "Jingle Bells" to mark the holiday season. The elephants use their trunks to beat, or ring the bells while the Christmas song is played. The Christmas show, in which the elephants will perform, will officially open to the public on December 2.
2007-11-26 - Srikakulam, India.
One more elephant of the group of nine which had been moving in these parts died, reportedly of electric shock, in Gopalapatnam village in Veeraghattam mandal on Sunday. With this, the death toll of elephants had risen to three. It may be recalled that this group of rogue elephants had been moving in these parts for the last two months and a journalist Nagaraju was one of its victims.
2007-11-26 - Montgomery, United States.
Tina, an African elephant, stands with her baby, a male elephant weighing 247 pounds, at the Montgomery Zoo in Montgomery, Ala., earlier this month. The baby was born on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007.. (AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)
2007-11-25 - London, United Kingdom. Susie Boniface
Environment minister Hillary Benn is to rule on whether Britain's last circus elephant - Anne - can go free. Campaigners had hoped that the new Animal Welfare Bill would mean she had to be released from captivity. But an 18-month inquiry into the treatment of circus animals was said to be inconclusive. A spokesman for environment department Defra said: It will have to be a political decision.
2007-11-24 - MIDNAPORE, India.
Farmers in the Chandra range in West Midnapore have been spending sleepless nights over the last few days because of the presence of 22 elephants, including two tuskers, in the region. These elephants - now on their way back to the Dalma habitat after spending three months in Bankura - had wreaked havoc there.
2007-11-24 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
Gerald Durrell once said: "Anyone who has got pleasure from Nature should put something back. Life is like a superlative meal and the world is the maitre d'hotel.What I'm doing is the equivalent of leaving a reasonable tip." Photo-journalist David Paynter has left more than a resonable tip in this stunning coffee table book depicting the lifetime of a young bull elephant named Tempo Ndhlovu.
2007-11-24 - Melbourne, Australia. Siggyg
I have a great-great uncle who was killed by an elephant. Yes, I am telling the truth. He was an elephant keeper at the Melbourne Zoo here in Australia, and he was crushed by one of his charges. The coroner's report discusses the places, the layout and daily routine of a zoo that I know well, but from 50-60 years later. I have found that being able to access coroner's reports through my State's Public Records Office has allowed me to find some fascinating stories that can then lead to a better u...
2007-11-24 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Kumudini Hettiarachchi
An elephant has been taken to court, not just any court but the highest in the land, the Supreme Court. Asokamala, born and bred at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, has kicked up dust being in the centre of a controversy over whether she should be “exported” as a gift from Sri Lanka to Armenia. While animal rights activists battle the authorities in the Supreme Court, in a fundamental rights case, Asokamala, oblivious to being in the eye of the storm is following her routine. Her fate will ...
2007-11-24 - Nandarbuni, India.
Villagers in West Bengal’s Birbhum District continue to be affected by elephants’ intrusion in human populated areas. In last five days, the Nandarbuni village in the District has witnessed two incidents of elephants running amok causing severe damage to standing crops and houses. On Friday, a herd of 15 elephants entered the village and damaged standing crops. Tuskers often come out of their natural habitat due to dwindling forests and enter human inhabited areas in search of food, r...
2007-11-24 - CHETOPA, United States. COLLEEN SURRIDGE
Life science teacher Tim Blankenship was elated to find part of a mammoth tooth along the banks of the Neosho River near Chetopa two years ago. His excitement mounted last summer when he discovered a second, larger mammoth tooth within 30 meters of the first. “I found the first one in the summer of 2005,” said Blankenship, who teaches at Chetopa Grade School. “I went to Wyoming looking for dinosaur fossils and mammoth fossils (in 2006). Then I found this tooth this year, and I didn’t eve...
2007-11-23 - Mumbai, India. B K Sharma
The author, Inspector General of Police and head of the State Crime Branch of Orissa, has an abiding interest in wildlife and is recognised as one of India’s leading experts on the illegal wildlife trade. It will come as no surprise to readers of Sanctuary that the world’s largest terrestrial mammal continues to be besieged from all sides. In addition to threats to its habitat throughout Africa and Asia, smuggling and illicit trade in ivory pose major challenges to law enforcement authoriti...
2007-11-23 - Vallejo, United States.
Responsible for the feeding, cleaning and maintenance of Elephant Encounter area and for entry level training of elephants and behaviors. Key Duties and Responsibilities: · Feed, brush and bathe animals as directed by Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor. Give commands to ask elephant to lay down, move. If needed, brush elephant from atop their back and head. · Perform night feeds as assigned. · Clean animal enclosure areas including log show, elephant theatre, rides, yard, pool and barn. Hose down...
2007-11-23 - Kasese, Uganda. Michael Karugaba
A Herd of Elephants from Queen Elizabeth National Park has invaded Kisinga, Lake Katwe and Kyalhumba sub-counties in Bukonzo East, destroying several acres of crops. speaking to the press on Tuesday, the LC 1 Chairman for Rwentutu village in Lake Katwe Sub-county, Mr Semu Bwambale, said the most hit villages are Kabirizi, Rwentutu and Kighenge, where crops have been destroyed causing fear of a famine out break in the near future.
2007-11-23 - VIZIANAGARAM, India.
The Central Elephant Board is likely to depute a team soon to tackle the vexed elephant menace, which has badly affected the two districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam during the last four months. As many as 10, including a journalist of a vernacular daily, were killed and standing crops in hundreds of acres in both the districts were damaged by the jumbos.
2007-11-22 - Gauhati, India.
Four wild elephants were electrocuted after becoming entangled in low-strung power cables while foraging for food in the forests of India's northeast, officials said Thursday. The deaths, following the electrocution of six elephants last month, prompted conservationist to call for shifting the cables out of the elephants' shrinking habitat.
2007-11-22 - Auckland, New Zealand. Alanah May Eriksen
After almost 40 years in the circus, Tony Ratcliffe is hanging up his clown shoes and sending his beloved elephant Jumbo to Australia. The Whirling Bros Circus owner is retiring and giving the star of his show, a 35-year-old, 8ft, four-tonne African elephant to the Western Plains Zoo near Dubbo, New South Wales. Mr Ratcliffe, 62, and his wife Vicki will take the animal across the Tasman by ship and stay in Australia "as long as it takes" for her to settle in.
2007-11-22 - London, United Kingdom.
An innovative Chester Zoo project that uses smoke bombs comprising chilli powder to ward off marauding elephants from human habitation and crops in Assam was awarded the field conservation award at this year's annual BIAZA awards on Wednesday evening. Charles Walker, MP, presented the prestigious conservation and wild life awards at the Marwell Zoological Park in Hampshire on behalf of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
2007-11-22 - JORHAT, India.
The riverine areas of the district have been reeling under the impact of the depredations caused by a huge herd of wild elephants since the last fortnight. Villagers in Neamati, Meleng and Jhanjimukh areas along Brahmaputra river in northern Jorhat have been perturbed by the presence of the herd which has been devouring standing crops at random. The marauding jumbos are believed to have crossed over Brahmaputra from Majuli subdivision in search of food reserves.
2007-11-21 - Mangaldihi, India.
Two persons were injured in a village in West Bengals Birbhum District while chasing away a herd of elephants, that went on rampage in paddy fields. Mangaldihi villagers said these types of incidents are common in the area. Tuskers are forced by their dwindling natural habitat to emerge from time to time in search of food, and therefore, come into conflict with the village population. “I saw an elephant around 6.30, it was drinking water in the pond, I informed others about it, a...
2007-11-21 - London, United Kingdom. James Randerson
Sinbad and Zebedee will be pounding the sawdust under their big top for a while longer thanks to a government-backed report which concluded there was no evidence that circus animals were kept in worse conditions than animals in other captive environments
2007-11-21 - Chester, United Kingdom.
2007-11-20 - Atlanta, United States.
Zoo Atlanta may soon hear the stomping of little feet. One of the zoo's three elephants, Dottie, is pregnant. If all goes as expected, the zoo's first newborn Loxodonata african should arrive in April 2009. The baby could weigh up to 300 pounds and measure 3 feet tall at birth. A team of specialists from Berlin artificially inseminated the 25-year-old Dottie in June after plans to mate her with a male elephant at the North Carolina Zoo fell through.
2007-11-20 - Surin, Thailand.
A mahout, or elephant keeper, sits on the back of his elephant while waiting for the show to start during the 47th annual Elephant Roundup in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007. The festival, which attracts thousands of tourists to the small city of Surin, celebrates the elephant as both a noble patriotic symbol and a longtime companion of local tribal minorities.
2007-11-20 - Guruvayur, India.
The elephants of the Sri Krishna temple here were taken in a solemn procession to pay tribute to their "legendary peer" Guruvayur Kesavan on his 31st death anniversary on Tuesday. The pachyderms, sans their glittering caparisons, stood before the statue of Kesavan in the temple premises for a while, raised their trunks and the team leader 'paid floral tributes' to the tusker.
2007-11-19 - Hong Kong, China. Nishika Patel
Growing consumer spending power in south China has been fueling the illegal trade of endangered Southeast Asian pangolins and African ivory, making Hong Kong a crucial strategic hub. Statistics obtained by The Standard from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department show that the amount of imported ivory seized in Hong Kong rocketed from 26.8 kilograms to 4,027.9kg between 2004 and last year, while pangolin seizures jumped from 1,005.5kg, or 939 carcass heads, to 2,037kg, or 6,478 ca...
2007-11-19 - Montgomery, United States. Bill Rice
On Friday, November 9, 2007 at approximately 8 p.m., a female African elephant was born at the Montgomery Zoo. The calf weighed in at 247 lbs. This birth marks the first African elephant born in the state of Alabama, ever; and the third known birth this year to U.S. Zoological facilities.
2007-11-19 - Lampang, Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has named the King’s Cup Elephant Polo as one of Thailand’s “Seven Amazing Wonders” in a new promotional campaign aimed at capturing the nation’s unique attractions. The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is the sixth largest event on the TAT calendar. Organised by Anantara Resorts, the tournament was first introduced in 2001 as a charitable endeavour to assist country’s National Elephant Institute in Lampang, Northern Thailand. The event has rais...
2007-11-18 - Kent, United Kingdom.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, situated in the south of Kent near Folkestone, is an established wild animal park with significant success in the captive breeding of rare and endangered animals. We house four African Elephants, one bull and three cows who form a breeding group and use protected contact methods to which the herd responds well.
2007-11-18 - Harare, Zimbabwe. Myrtle Ryan and Peta Thornycroft
This week three Zimbabwean elephants proved that rhinos and elephants can form close bonds, and that elephants do mourn. Gruesome pictures flashed around the world this week of the three black rhinos shot by members of the Zimbabwe Army, dressed in camouflage uniforms and carrying AK-47 rifles. Each rhino had had a guard, but they were assaulted during the attack at Imire Safari Ranch in Wedza last week.
2007-11-18 - PALANI, India.
Herds of wild elephants from the Ayakudi and Ponnimalai jungle ranges near Palani in Dindigul district have started entering the plantations once again. The herds have moved towards the plains from the hilly terrains of Kodaikanal because of the extreme cold in the area. One herd, which had entered the plantation of Marudhamuthu at Ayankulam near Ponnimalai, uprooted the coconut palms and banana trees there.
2007-11-17 - San Diego, La Jolla, United States. Moore J., University of California
Perhaps the most important 'decision' made by any animal (or plant) is whether to disperse leave kith and kin, or remain with the familiar and related. The benefits of staying at home are obvious, so dispersal requires an explanation--and the most popular is that dispersal functions to avoid inbreeding depression. Strong support comes from the observation that dispersal is so often sex biased. Simply put, all else being equal members of both sexes should prefer to remain philopatric, but this wo...
2007-11-15 - Montgomery, United States.
Tina and Studla will be given some time to bond with their newborn - a 247-pound female African elephant - before visitors to the Montgomery Zoo view them outdoors. The newborn arrived Friday and has not yet been given a name, zoo spokeswoman Sarah McKemey said Sunday. She said the community will be involved in naming her.
2007-11-15 - Nairobi, Kenya.
IT SOUNDS too cute to be true — orphaned elephants learning to love again under the gentle guidance of Kenyan keepers on the plains of Nairobi. And while there's plenty to coo over in Elephant Diaries (baby elephants playing football, chasing wart-hogs and nuzzling their keepers), the program doesn't shy away from the reality of wildlife in peril. Co-presenter Michaela Strachan, who hosts a variety of British wildlife and children's programs, says the adorable antics of the show's stars are an...
2007-11-15 - Kolmarden, Sweden.
Saba, who had been alone elephant in Zoo Le Pal for many years, and in PC the last three years, had difficulties to adapt to the newcomers, there was fights between the elephants and she missed the contact with humans. In 2007 it was decided to bring her to Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden, where the two asian elephants belonging to the swedish king are worked in free contact. She was transfered at 7th of November, and was traight away worked hands on in free contact. She is now happier, and gets a lot o...
2007-11-15 - Washington, United States.
I've heard that one since I was a little kid. So to check it out, we went looking for some elephants. We found them at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where the head clown let me ask the audience. The resounding answer from the audience: "Mice. Mice. Mice." Many people, however, learned about elephants fearing mice from cartoons like "Dumbo." But why would a big animal fear such a small one? Well, it seems logical to us or at least plausible because if you think about it, as adult...
2007-11-13 - GAUHATI, India.
Paris Hilton is being praised by conservationists for highlighting the problem of binge-drinking elephants in northeastern India. Activists said a celebrity endorsement such as Hilton's was sure to raise awareness of the plight of the pachyderms that get drunk on farmers' homemade rice beer and then go on a rampage. The elephants get drunk all the time. It is becoming really dangerous. We need to stop making alcohol available to them,'' the 26-year-old socialite said in a report posted on World ...
2007-11-13 - Maputo, Botswana. Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique
Mozambique earns more than 17.6 million meticais (about 700,000 US dollars) a year in the export of wild animal trophies, particularly elephants and leopards. According to the National Director for Conservation Areas, Bartolomeu Soto, hunters are allowed to kill 80 elephants a year and, as from this year, also 120 leopards, and then export the trophies.
2007-11-12 - Hamburg, Germany.
The First European Elephant Management School is a practical orientated course on different elephant management tactics. Free contact as well as protected contact management technics and procedures will be trained.
2007-11-12 - Palakkad, India. A Satish
Brothers M.A. Haridas and M.A. Parameswaran of Mangalamkunnu in the district who chose to rear elephants for the sheer love for them and who went on to become the largest individual owners after the Guruvayur Devaswom have begun to feel the heat of venturing into one of the riskiest business. From 18 elephants, they have begun to reduce their herd which now stands at 12. They had donated a 30-yearold elephant, Gajendran, to the local Pariyanampatta temple last year.
2007-11-08 - Colchester, United Kingdom. James Hore
ONE of Colchester Zoo's favourite elephants has been put down after suffering from serious health problems. Rosa had been part of a circus but came to the zoo in 1998 where she quickly became popular with both staff and visitors. The African elephant gave birth to Jambo in 2004 but since then showed signs of severe discomfort. A team of experts carried out a series of investigations into her condition, but concluded surgery was not a viable option.
2007-11-07 - Kolmården, Sweden.
Saba, who had been alone elephant in Le Pal for many years, had difficulties to adapt to PC and newcomers, there was a lot of fights between the elephants and she missed the contact with humans. In 2007 it was decided to bring her to Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden, where the two asian elephants belonging to the swedish king are worked in free contact. She was transfered at 7th of November, and was traight away worked hands on in free contact. She is now happier, and gets a lot of attention and care.
2007-11-05 - Montgomery, United States.
Zookeeper I (Elephants) provide animal care to the elephants housed in the Montgomery Zoo. Major work functions include observing elephant collections and exhibits, maintaining elephant exhibits, performing building and grounds maintenance, feeding elephants, and communicating with others. The Elephant Zookeeper I may be asked to work with other animals or in other animal areas as deemed necessary by the department. Visit our job website at www.montgomerypersonnel.com for additional information ...
2007-11-03 - Robin Miller, United States.
What was arguably the United States Air Force's largest passenger ever arrived at Travis Air Force Base in the wee hours of Friday morning. Maggie, an 8,000-pound, 25-year-old African elephant, was flown from Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base to Travis on a C-17 cargo aircraft, arriving shortly after midnight. Maggie then was transferred to a flat-bed truck for delivery to her new home - Ark 2000, an elephant sanctuary in San Andreas owned and operated by the Performing Animals Welfare Society (...
2007-11-03 - Kodanad, India. Naveen Nair
One and a half year old Bharti is still struggling to stand up. She was found by the caretakers at the elephant training camp at Kodanad in central Kerala last year with severe injuries. The baby elephant was apparently carried by the currents of the rain-swollen Chaliyar River in Nilambur district. Caretakers at the centre have now switched to ayurvedic treatment. In a few days we hope she will get up and walk, says Bharti's caretaker, Subramanian.
2007-11-02 - Orlando, Florida, United States.
This important symposium presented by the International Elephant Foundation and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation will concentrate on the research and conservation needs of captive and wild populations of elephants. We invite researchers from around the world to present conservation projects and research results on human-elephant conflict, population management, health, nutrition, reproduction and behavior. Papers specifically addressing in situ and ex situ ...
2007-11-02 - FAIRFIELD, United States.
After living nearly her whole life in Alaska, Maggie the elephant on Friday made her way to a new home in California. The 25-year-old African elephant arrived at Travis Air Force Base here bound for the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in the northern California town of San Andreas 85 miles away. The Air Force agreed to transport Maggie — for years Alaska's only elephant — as part of a training mission after officials with PAWS and the zoo discovered she was too big for a commercial ...
2007-11-02 - Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo seeks an experienced Elephant Keeper to join their world renowned elephant section. This is a fantastic opportunity to become involved in one of the most exciting and challenging elephant programmes in Europe. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of elephant handling, training and management; they will be able to demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge in this field. The positions would be well suited to someone looking to develop further. In return, we ...
2007-11-02 - Central Florida, United States.
The world renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey® Center for Elephant Conservation located in central Florida is pleased to announce a unique training opportunity in Elephant Care. Three training programs will be offered in 2008. Interns will be exposed to the combined talents of some of the worlds’ most capable trainers, handlers and veterinarians in a free contact environment. The curriculum will include twelve (12) weeks of both classroom and hands-on instruction with some 25 Asian ...
2007-11-02 - Chester, United Kingdom.
It has been another mad week here in Manchester. The above photograph was taken 7 days ago on a trip to Chester Zoo. I wasn’t able to post this photo due to the Apple event in the evening, then being in Lincolnshire at the weekend and posting photographs over Halloween it has been really intense. It was my first visit to Chester Zoo with my digital SLR camera and although I was able to capture better images because of the fast burst mode, the zoom still isn’t really good enough to get really...
2007-11-01 - Kodanad, India.
The traditional ayurveda treatment has become the last resort for the female elephant calf Bharati, which is struggling hard to survive from arthritis at the Kodanad Elephant Orphanage in Kerala. When other inmates of the Kerala's famous elephant orphanage so far a morning with their mahouts on the road sides of Kodanad Forest range, the dilemma of the baby elephant Bharati and its Mahout Subramaniam are make to do so.
2007-11-01 - Sofia, Bulgaria. Sapundzhiev E, Pupaki D, Zahariev P, Georgiev G, Ivanov I., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry
The result of the histological diagnosis from postmortal investigation of the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) uterus structure is presented in the current study. The rare anatomical finding showed altered nodular part from the uterus wall. Through conventional and histochemical staining neoplasmatic formations were determined and diagnosis Fibroleiomyoma was established, which should not be accepted as the prime cause for the animal's death.
2007-10-31 - Kobe, Japan.
a male baby was born at Oji Zoo, Kobe on 21 Oct. 2007. The father is Mac (Boy), born at Circus Knie in Switzerland and mother is Zuzanna, born in Riga Zoo in Latvia. The elephant calf is presently bottle fed, but the zoo is trying to back him to the mother Zuze.
2007-10-31 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Supreme Court today issued an order not to transfer nine-year-old female elephant "Asokamala" to the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia. The court made this order following a lawsuit filed by an animal rights activist Vijitha Fernando who protested that the cold climate in Armenia does not suit the animal.
2007-10-30 - LOS ANGELES, United States.
A judge has ruled that Robert Culp's lawsuit alleging that the Los Angeles Zoo mistreats elephants can go forward. Judge Reginald A. Dunn rejected arguments by the city that the complaint filed by the 77-year-old actor and real estate agent Aaron Leider lacks a legal basis. Robert Culp arrives at NBC's 75th anniversary celebration in this May 5, 2002, file photo in New York. Culp's lawsuit alleging that the Los Angeles Zoo mistreats elephants can go forward. Judge Reginald A. Dunn has rejected a...
2007-10-29 - Asheboro, United States.
Three African elephants arrived at the North Carolina Zoo this past weekend, bringing the zoo's elephant collection to seven, the largest in its history. Artie, a 24-year-old male, arrived Friday. Tonga, a 29-year-old female, and her 5-year-old female calf, Batir, were delivered Sunday, according to a news release. All three traveled to Asheboro via truck from Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary near Greenbrier, Ark.
2007-10-29 - Los Angeles, United States.
Robert Culp's lawsuit alleging that the Los Angeles Zoo mistreats elephants can go forward. Judge Reginald A. Dunn has rejected arguments by the city that the complaint filed by the 77-year-old actor and real estate agent Aaron Leider lacks a legal basis.
2007-10-29 - Waco, United States.
The Cameron Park Zoo in Waco has some new residents. The zoo has three new animals, including a brand new baby jaguar. The female cub was recently born at the zoo, and made her first public appearance Monday. There’s also a new elephant, Tanya on-loan from the Abilene Zoo. And zoo keepers are also caring for a 2-month-old East African Kori Bustard, hatched in Waco from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The zoo says new animals are always good for business.
2007-10-28 - Anchorage, United States. MARY PEMBERTON
Alaska's only elephant is getting a one-way ticket out of town. After months of a tug of war between those wanting Maggie to stay and those advocating for a warmer climate where she could be in the company of other female elephants, the 25-year-old African elephant at The Alaska Zoo is heading to sunny California on Thursday. Her new home will be at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in San Andreas.
2007-10-28 - VIZIANAGARAM, India.
Operation Gajendra is in full swing with officials trapping one more rogue elephant near Seemavanivalasa in Jiyyammavalasa mandal on Saturday. They shot tranquilisers at the herd found grazing under palm trees near the village. But as they hurried on to trap the wild pachyderms, three of the four tranquilised animals managed to escape. The latest success comes close on the heels of the taming of three rogue elephants. Nonetheless, five more are still at large.
2007-10-24 - Bangalore, India.
Karnataka hosts a healthy population of the gentle giants. That's the finding of the agency which recently conducted a study of the elephant population in the state. The census carried out by the state forest department in May deduced that Karnataka has an estimated elephant population of 4,035. This is less than the 4347 in the 2005 census. Experts state that this is not a cause for worry, for the numbers tend to vary as elephants migrate from one state to another continuously. Also, this figur...
2007-10-24 - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Authorities in a northern Vietnamese province are seeking government permission to shoot a domesticated elephant that has killed two handlers this year, an official said Wednesday. The Forestry Department of Thanh Hoa province sent a request to the Ministry of Agriculture last week asking for the go-ahead to kill the rare Asian elephant, which is more than 30 years old, according to Le Quoc Viet with the department. The elephant is very angry now and it may kill anyone getting close to it, Viet ...
2007-10-23 - HYDERABAD, India. Ravi Reddy
Andhra Pradesh has sought the assistance of neighbouring Orissa and Karnataka forest officials to tackle the elephant menace causing untold misery to the people of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts for the past few weeks. With the death toll mounting to eight and panic-stricken people in the rural areas spending sleepless nights, forest department has chalked out an action plan to drive back the nine-strong herd of elephants into the Lashkari wildlife sanctuary in Orissa.
2007-10-23 - Karnataka, India. Ashwin Aghor
Wild elephants from Karnataka regularly stray into these villages and damage crops. Following the ever-increasing incidence of crop damage, and at times of human killings, by wild elephants on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border has led the state forest department to consider domesticating the rampaging tuskers. Tired of compensating the farmers for deaths and trampled crop, the department is trying to explore the utility of the wild animals for proposed eco-tourism which includes elephant safaris ...
2007-10-23 - Nhan Dan, Vietnam.
Quang Nam Central Province’s People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to approve a plan on the establishment of two new elephant and Sao La deer (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) preservation zones. Accordingly, the elephant preservation zone is to be located in a lowland area with an area of 18,765 hectares in Que Phuoc and Que Lam communes of Que Son district. This zone contains wild elephants, five special kinds of birds (only existing in this zone) and turtl...
2007-10-23 - Gauhati, India.
Six Asiatic wild elephants were electrocuted as they went berserk after drinking rice beer in India's remote northeast, a wildlife official said Tuesday. Nearly 40 elephants came to a village on Friday looking for food. Some found beer, which farmers ferment and keep in plastic and tin drums in their huts, said Sunil Kumar, a state wildlife official. They got drunk, uprooted a utility pole carrying power lines and were electrocuted in Chandan Nukat, a village nearly 150 miles west of Shillong, t...
2007-10-23 - London, United Kingdom.
Officials in the African country of Sierra Leone have expressed concerns that recent elephant killings could highlight an upsurge in poaching activity. According to the AFP news agency, ten elephants have been killed in the west African nation in the past two months. Senior wildlife official Kailie Bangura explained that most of the deaths occurred in two wildlife parks in the remote northern Outaba Kilimi and Loma Mountain parks, fuelling speculation that foreign nationals were behind the new w...
2007-10-23 - BRIDGEPORT, United States. Tracy Deer-Mirek
The circus didn't roll into town this morning, it jogged. Six elephants, some clasped trunk-to-tail to keep up the brisk pace, bounded beneath the railroad underpass at Water Street and Stratford Avenue on the last leg of a two-mile journey from the Union Avenue rail yards to the Arena at Harbor Yard.
2007-10-22 - Mysore, India. Krishna Kumar
A slice of the royal orient unfolded to a sea of humanity as the caparisoned elephants led the Jamboo Savari or the Vijayadashmi procession to mark the grand finale of the 10-day Dasara festivities here on Sunday.Bringing the curtains down on the “Naada Habba,” the Vijayadashmi procession, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and a tradition inherited from the Vijayanagar emperors, rolled out of the palace premises complete with ensemble of folk troupes and caparisoned elephant Balarama...
2007-10-22 - San Andreas, United States. LENORE RUTHERFORD
More than 500 people paid $100 each to watch elephants play and tour Ark 2000, the 2,300-acre exotic animal sanctuary complex near San Andreas. A silent auction and an outdoor market featuring donated items were also held. The fourth annual Elephant Grape Stomp was a fundraiser for the sanctuary, which is home to more than 100 exotic animals, including elephants, tigers, primates and bears, said Tamara Wilder, organizational development director for Performing Animal Welfare Society.
2007-10-21 - Khao Sok National Park, Thailand. Cindy Loose
Its a risky business, choosing a no-brand, family-owned lodging in Thailand a tent lodging, no less based solely on pictures on the Internet. I decide to take a chance, though, because it seems a potential solution to my trip-planning dilemma: I want the sandy white beaches of southern Thailand but also yearn to see the jungle-like rain forest and elephants for which northern Thailand is famous. And I don't want to be rushing and spending limited time flying between the two.
2007-10-21 - Thiruvananthapuram, India. Akhel Mathew
Elephants in Kerala are set to enjoy a brighter future thanks to a new set of Forest Department rules aimed at ensuring their general welfare. Elephants are often forced to participate in religious festivals in a bid to add colour to the proceedings. The Sivagiri Mutt and the St. George Malankara Orthodox Christian Church in Thrissur have already vowed not to parade elephants during temple and church festivals.
2007-10-21 - Chiang Mai, Thailand. Ronna Sweeney, KUAM News
The national symbol of Thailand is proudly the elephant. In fact, a strong bond exists between the Thai people and the gentle creatures. And this special union was evident as we had the chance to visit the Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai. Having been open for nearly 30 years, the camp is home to one of the largest herds in the Northern Thailand. The organization's philosophy is to create a natural and healthy environment for the elephants, while working to conserve and breed them due to the dw...
2007-10-21 - Srikakulam, India.
Rogue elephants continue to wreak havoc in north coastal Andhra Pradesh bordering Orissa, killing one more person on Sunday, taking the toll to eight since last week. The tuskers, which entered from neighbouring Orissa, trampled one tribal to death in Srikakulam district, about 600 kms from Hyderabad. Forest officials said the tusker menace has so far claimed 17 lives since Aug 13, when the first attack was reported in the district.
2007-10-21 - Paola Cavalieri, South Africa.
One of the consequences of the culling of elephants in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s was the breakdown of elephant societies. After the destruction of their patterns of attachment and of their stored knowledge, elephants started to display symptoms associated with the human post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) observed in Kosovo and Rwanda - a disorder including abnormal-startle response, loss of emotions, depression and hyper-aggression.
2007-10-21 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Isuri Kaviratne
The Cabinet has approved the gifting of an elephant to Armenia while Wild Life officials were still studying the suitability of the weather and other conditions for the animal. The move has drawn angry responses from various groups closely following the issue of gifting the elephant Asokamala. Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka told The Sunday Times that the Ministry is still considering the suitability of the weather and the condition of the zoo before issuing the permission to send the nin...
2007-10-19 - Bangkok, Thailand. PLOENPOTE ATTHAKOR
The Siam flag, featuring an image of a white elephant on red-coloured cloth, will fly at the top of the Siam Flag Museum from Tuesday. Decades after it was decommissioned and disappeared from public sight, the flag of Siam or thong chang _ a red flag with the image of a white elephant at the centre _ will be flown permanently at a private museum in Lat Phrao district from Tuesday onwards.
2007-10-19 - Lusaka, Zambia.
The Zambia Wildlife in Livingstone has detained a CR Carrier Bus and Six Staff together with a Passenger for being in possession of some Ivory Tusks. The tusks are worth more than K120 million. Those arrested include two drivers, two loaders, a conductor and a Bus Washer. The Bus, coming from Sesheke enroute to Lusaka was intercepted by ZAWA Officers at one of its checkpoints in Livingstone. Area Warder, Stephen Malungo said the suspects were arrested, Thursday.
2007-10-19 - Guwahati, India.
About 100 wild elephants converged on a river island in northeast India and were demolishing homes, feasting on sugar cane and panicking residents, officials said Saturday. Thousands of villagers were using firecrackers and bonfires in an attempt to scare away the rampaging animals, the officials added. Dozens of houses have been destroyed in the past three days by adult elephants entering human settlements to look for their wandering calves, said the local magistrate, L. S. Changsan.
2007-10-19 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan animal rights activists have made a strong plea to the government to follow India and stop the practice of gifting animals to foreign countries as this is not only cruel, but depletes Sri Lankas fauna. It is time we took India as an example and stopped the practice of gifting animals to foreign countries as a diplomatic gesture, said Sagarica Rajakarunanaike, President of Sathva Mithra, about the Sri Lankan cabinets decision to gift an elephant to an ill-equipped zoo in cold and inhos...
2007-10-19 - Fairhope, United States.
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium officials broke ground on Friday on construction of a new 10,000 square-foot building at the International Conservation Center in Somerset County. The building is the first of several that will be the cornerstone of elephant breeding and other conservation management programs. The first building will provide housing for at least four elephants and will be ready in time for the arrival of the Philadelphia Zoo's three elephants: Petal, 51; Kallie, 24; and Bette, 24,...
2007-10-18 - Gagani Weerakoon, Sri Lanka.
Despite strong protests by various animal rights activists against the sending of the nine-year-old cow-elephant ‘Asokamala’ to a zoo in Armenia, the government is to proceed with its ‘donation’ to the Armenian government. Asokamala is from the Pinnawala elephant orphanage and has been transferred to the Dehiwala zoo prior to being sent to Armenia, sources said.
2007-10-18 - Anchorage, United States. Steve Mac Donald
The Alaska Zoo took delivery this morning of a specially-made shipping crate that will house Maggie, Alaskas lone African elephant, during her trip to California. Maggie is being relocated to an elephant sanctuary there after twice being unable to stand up on her own earlier this year. The 10,000-pound steel crate is designed specifically for shipping elephants and contains restraining bars and heaters. The crate is currently attached to Maggie's outdoor pen. Zoo officials hope shell grow accust...
2007-10-18 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
If the Ministry of Environment and Forests has its way, movement of trains along the lines running through wildlife corridors would be stopped during night hours in Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and Uttaranchal, till preventive measures are put in place. Reliable sources said the Union Secretary has written to Rail Board on the same line after receiving feedbacks from states like Orissa and West Bengal over inadequate accident prevention measures made available along tracks in the vulnerable zones.
2007-10-18 - London, United Kingdom. Michael Kahn
Elephants can literally smell danger, according to a study on Thursday that shows the animals can sniff out whether humans are friends or foes. The study in Kenya found elephants detected both the scents and colours of garments worn by Masai tribesman who often come into conflict with the animals when herding cattle. When detecting the scent of a Masai, the elephants turned up their trunks to orient themselves to the smell and then stampeded away until they reached cover in the tall grass.
2007-10-18 - Bhubaneswar, India.
Forest officials in Mayurbanj district have seized ivory worth Rs. 150,000 from a smuggler. The tusk weighing 21.9 kg and cut into five pieces, was seized from the accused Wednesday by forest officials at Malapada village in Mayurbanj district, about 350 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. Acting on a tip-off about the smuggling of ivory by a tribal, we laid a trap early Wednesday to catch him red-handed, said Range Officer Jitendra Kumar Mohanty.
2007-10-18 - Anchorage, United States. Jason Moore
The Alaska Zoo is ready to say goodbye to Maggie the elephant and it's asking you to join in the send off. Maggie is preparing for her trip to an elephant park in California and a two-day going away party happens the weekend after next. The zoo says it doesn't know for sure when she will leave but expects the trip south will happen within the next few weeks. The going away part will feature a banner for signing, a Maggie slide show and an original Maggie painting will be raffled off.
2007-10-18 - Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Authorities in Sierra Leone on Thursday expressed concern at the upsurge in elephant poaching after at least 10 jumbos were killed in the past two months in the west African country for meat and illicit ivory trade. Senior wildlife official Kailie Bangura said the animals were killed in two wildlife parks in the remote northern Outaba Kilimi and Loma Mountain parks near the border with Guinea. He suspected the elephants fell prey to foreign hunters.
2007-10-18 - Vallejo, United States.
Responsible for the feeding, cleaning and maintenance of Elephant Encounter area and for entry level training of elephants and behaviors. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Feed, brush and bathe animals as directed by Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor. Give commands to ask elephant to lay down, move. If needed, brush elephant from atop their back and head. Perform night feeds as assigned. Clean animal enclosure areas including log show, elephant theatre, rides, yard, pool and barn.
2007-10-17 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will donate a she elephant to Armenia in response to a request by the Armenian Government to consolidate bilateral friendly relations between the two countries. The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted in this connection, the Government Information Department said. Director General National Zoological Gardens H. Dissanayake said accordingly a nine-year-old she elephant named 'Asokamala' from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage will be sent to Armenia shortly.
2007-10-17 - Purulia, India.
A tusker was killed after being hit by a goods train early this morning in Purulia today. The incident is the first of its kind in the southern districts of the state. There were several incidents of elephants being run over by speeding trains in north Bengal. The incident occurred between Torag and Suisa stations of the Ranchi division of South Eastern railway in Purulia around 1 am when a herd of 14 elephants was crossing the railway line.
2007-10-17 - Anchorage, United States. Rich Jordan
Trainers at the Alaska Zoo have been working daily with Alaskas only african elephant tp prepare her for the trip to her new home in California
2007-10-17 - Bhubaneswar, India.
After its role in managing natural resources, disaster management and more recently of malaria in the State, geo-information system (GIS) applications have come as a great help in another key area of wildlife management, i.e. reducing man-animal conflicts. As per a study by Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary authorities, the movement pattern of specific elephants, its flagship species, can now be known through proper GIS mapping over the years with the help of annual and seasonal data interpretation so ...
2007-10-17 - Guwahati, India.
Launched by the forest department, the 150 specially trained mahouts and a few kunkis (leader elephants) will combat the growing depredation of wild tuskers by driving them away from human habitats without or little collateral damage. Elephant catcher Parbati Baruah has trained these commandos. Divisional forest officer of Kaziranga National Park Bonkim Sharma said, Earlier, domesticated elephants and their mahouts were used to catch wild tuskers. Now we have developed a special training module ...
2007-10-17 - Denver, United States.
Halloween came early today at the Denver Zoo. Elephants Mimi and Dolly got their pumpkins this morning. The pachyderms stomped on the giant gourds one 660 pounds and the other 425 pounds — to get at the flesh inside. The elephants are only two of the 3,500 animals to be showcased at the annual Boo at the Zoo event, held this year on Oct. 27 and Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. The trick-or-treat event is free with regular zoo admission.
2007-10-17 - Coimbatore, India.
Forest officials in Tamil Nadu have initiated a drive to regularize and register captive pachyderms in the State by implanting microchips into their skin. The technique, officials said, will give the elephants a unique identification number that will help prevent manipulation of records, check elephant poaching and further domestication of wild animals. The concept will also help the forest authorities in making periodical assessments of the status of the elephants, as well as formulating polic...
2007-10-17 - Mendon, United States. Ira Kantor
Elephant trainer Phil Schacht says his pachyderm Dondi is more child than wild animal. Among her tricks, Dondi can cluck like a chicken, roar like a lion, and play a harmonica. She also enjoys giving spectators rides and posing for photos at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, according to her handler. But Schacht, 74, says he's endured repeated threats from animal rights groups that claim his Asian elephant is being mistreated. Now that state Sen. Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth, has re-filed legislation ban...
2007-10-17 - Stockton, United States. C. Johnson
There was an unusual discovery Wednesday morning at a downtown Stockton construction site. Workers came across the bones of a mammoth. The remains - tail and femur bones - were unearthed about 80 feet down at the corner of east Weber Street and north San Joaquin Street. Dr. Gregg Anderson, an assistant professor of biology at UOP, said a large auger was drilling at about 8 a.m. when tailings revealed bones. Workers called the county coroners office whose representative came out and said the big ...
2007-10-16 - BHUBANESWAR, India. Siba Mohanty
Orissa and Andhra Pradesh have long been fighting over a host of issues - from sharing river water to ownership of border villages. Now, the two governments have a common ‘elephantine’ problem. This is not over ownership. Rather, it is about a group of elephants AP badly wants to get rid of from its territory, but has been unsuccessful till now. Orissa, too, wants them back but does not know how to.
2007-10-16 - Chitwan, Nepal.
A wild elephant named Ronaldo was found dead at the gate of the Elephant Breeding Farm at Khorsor in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) on Monday, Rajendra Panohar of the farm said, adding that the elephant might have died due to shock from an electric wire. Chief conservation officer at the CNP Megh Bahadur Pandey declined to comment on the matter. Locals said the elephant died due to shock from the high-voltage electric wire. Ronaldo had attacked and killed a four-month-old child of Dil Bahadur T...
2007-10-16 - Pune, India.
EVEN as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) continues its campaign against the entry of elephants in urban areas, the problem continues to be rampant in Pune, with yet another elephant found being used for begging by three men in the Loni Kalbhor area. The three men, clad in sadhu robes, have now been taken into custody and a complaint has been lodged at the Loni Kalbhor Police Station under various sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Bombay Beggary Ac...
2007-10-15 - Lao dong, Vietnam.
The central province of Quang Nam has submitted a project to establish two endangered animal reserves to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval, the provincial People’s Committee said last Friday. The elephant reserve, covering an area of 18,765 ha in Que Son District, will be a habitat for elephants, five species of endangered birds, and endangered turtles and gray-shanked doucs.
2007-10-15 - KURUPAM, India.
Tribals caught in the cross-fire between Maoists and police have run into another danger. Along the Andhra-Orissa border, during monsoons, elephants and other animals move downstream. Besides, increased mining in the neighbouring Orissa is forcing the animals to move south to safety. Their arrival is giving sleepless nights to the tribals. In the past four months, 11, including five in the Andhra Pradesh side of the border, have been crushed to death in stampede caused by the rampaging animals.
2007-10-15 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nimal Wijesinghe
About 160 elephants and 50 persons die from the elephant-human conflict, Environment Minister Patali Champaka Ranawaka said. With the Environmental Development Ministry embarking on a full-scale environmental development plan islandwide, the Minister has declared a “Green month” from today.
2007-10-15 - Dak Lak, Vietnam.
The People’s Committee of Central Highlands Dak Lak province has decided to spend more than VND 8.5 billion (531,250 USD) from now until 2010 on preserving and developing its tame elephant population. Under the project, an elephant keepers’ club and a tame elephant herd preservation and development centre will be set up in the province. Measures to use elephants for tourism purposes, ensure a sustainable environment and prevent diseases for elephants as well as to reproduce elephants will al...
2007-10-14 - Rangoon, Myanmar. MICHAEL CASEY
Truckloads of illegal timber cross the Myanmar border to sawmills in China, while markets along the Thai border openly sell bear paws, tiger skins and elephant tusks. Further inland, the repressive military regime plans to dam one of Asia's purest rivers, and allows gold and gem mines to tear up hillsides and pollute groundwater for quick cash. Myanmar has become notorious in the region for ignoring international and its own environmental laws in a single-minded effort to make the money that env...
2007-10-13 - Cincinnati, United States. Val Nastold
The conference will be at Drawbridge Inn Oct 13th-16th, with a pre-trip to the Indianapolis Zoo on Oct 13th and a post-trip to the Louisville Zoo on the 17th. There will be more information about the conference coming soon.
2007-10-13 - Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
A herd of Sumatran elephants (Elephas Maximus Sumatranus) recently again encroached on a residential area and attacked plantations at Patek, Sampoiniet, Aceh Jaya District, Aceh Province. Rahmatullah, a settler in the Patek transmigration area, said here on Tuesday the elephants` attack happened around a week before the Idul Fitri Islamic festivity. A herd of around eight elephants almost every evening approached the resettlement area, he said.
2007-10-13 - Golaghat, India.
Its tail had been cut and was hanging loosely from its outer skin. There were spears stuck on its head, back and leg. And its body bore deep cuts. Those who saw the elephant before it died could have sworn that it was begging for mercy. How the 13th elephant to be killed in Assam in northeast India this year - either by humans or in accidents - met its death is a story that animal lovers would hate to hear.
2007-10-12 - Richmond, Canada.
British Columbia received a $9,000.00 fine yesterday after pleading guilty in Richmond Provincial Court to illegally importing over 30,000 pieces of African elephant ivory. Mr. Ho was also ordered to pay a further $9,000.00 to TRAFFIC, (a division of the World Wildlife Fund,) to support programs for the conservation of the African elephant, and to forfeit all of the ivory seized during the investigation which wildlife officers have estimated to be worth ...
2007-10-11 - San Antonio, United States.
The San Antonio Zoo currently has a need for a Zoo Keeper in our Elephant Department. Duties include daily cleaning, feeding, and maintenance of animal exhibits. Zoo Keepers observe, evaluate, and report animal behavior and condition to their supervisor on a daily basis. They assist in treating Zoo animals in accordance with instructions from their supervisor or veterinarian. Minimum qualifications include ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments
The Oakland Zoo manages a herd of 1.3 African Elephants in a progressive protected contact program. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated, hardworking individual to learn about captive elephant management. Apprentices will learn about elephant behavior, research, reproduction, training, husbandry and enrichment. He/she will participate in daily cleaning, food preparation and delivery.
2007-10-10 - BERHAMPUR, Zimbabwe.
The elephantine row between Andhra Pradesh and Orissa is close to a solution but authorities hope that a herd of pachyderms which strayed would return to their natural habitat on their own without having to use any force. An action plan to trans-locate the herd finalised by a high-level central expert committee suggested that Andhra Pradesh wait for at least a fortnight before taking any steps to drive away the six wild elephants back to their natural habitat at Lakhary Valley Elephant Reserve i...
2007-10-10 - Moscow, Russian Federation.
A nervous female elephant at Moscow zoo killed its handler on Wednesday with a hit of its leg while being moved onto a truck. Elephant handlers at Moscow city zoo had been trying to load three African elephants onto a specially designed truck to transfer them to a zoo in Spain when the elephant killed the 40-year-old woman. It was a most unfortunate death of a dedicated zoo keeper who had worked with these animals for many years, a spokeswoman for the zoo said.
2007-10-10 - New Delhi, India.
Seven captive elephants in the Delhi have been micro-chipped by an NGO as part of efforts to regulate the trafficking and exploitation of the animals. By micro-chipping the elephants, we can monitor and control the illegal trade and trafficking of captive elephants. Elephant traders and owners resort to capturing elephant calves from the wild and separate them from their herds. said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of the NGO Wildlife SOS.
2007-10-10 - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Two elephants at Chiang Mai's Night Safari died last month, while three others have fallen ill due to bad digestion resulting from eating the wrong kind of grass, resident veterinarians said Tuesday. Suphoj Maythaphirat, a senior official, said Night Safari animal keepers were partly at fault for not screening the feed bought from villagers, adding that elephants should not eat too much old grass in a single sitting. Phang Joi and Phang Grandma died late last month after succumbing to extremely ...
2007-10-10 - Sydney, Australia. Jeremy Drake
Polo is the preferred sport of princes and the Packers, but when you replace the horses with elephants it becomes a whole new ball game. The 26th annual World Elephant Polo Championships will begin in Nepal on November 18. Among the 12 teams will be the first fully Australian contingent. A group of 10 average blokes braving the backs of unusually large mammals in the name of international sport.
2007-10-09 - Portland, United States. RICHARD L. HILL
Change is uncaged at the Oregon Zoo. Lions will be heard roaring again at the Washington Park facility, joined by speedy cheetahs and African wild dogs. The zoo has broken ground on a 50,000-square-foot "Predators of the Serengeti" exhibit, which will open in 2009. The zoo also has unveiled a strategic master plan that proposes expanding the elephant area, building a three-story parking deck to deal with its chronic parking shortage and increasing summer admission prices.
2007-10-08 - Bangkok, Thailand.
The symposium on the managing of health and reproduction of elephant populations in Asia will be held at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand from 8th to 10th October 2007. The members of the local organizing committee are pleased to welcome everyone interested in the scientific programs organized for the participants. The purpose of this international congress is to develop and up to date the understanding of health care and reproductive system management of A...
2007-10-08 - Ayutthaya, Thailand.
The restoration of Ayutthaya's ancient kraal, the elephant-trapping pen, began yesterday. All 980 ageing logs in the fence surrounding the enclosure are due for replacement. The sao talung are the major component of the pen, or paniad klong chang, which wild elephants were driven into for elephant-trapping ceremonies in the Ayutthaya period. All the old timber is to be replaced under the 16-million-baht restoration project, which was launched to mark His Majesty the King's 80th birthday in Decem...
2007-10-08 - Munich, Germany.
The elephant cow Penang in Munich Zoo (born 1989 in Zuerich) gave birth yesterday to a stillborn bull elephant calf, several months before expected birth. Munich Zoo (Hellabrunn Tierpark) will probably provide more information on their website tomorrow.
2007-10-08 - London, United Kingdom. Charles Clover
Elephants flee the sound of angry bees, with the vast majority turning to run within seconds of hearing the sound of buzzing, scientists said. The findings are surprising because elephant skin was thought to be so thick that bee stings do not make any impression. The sound of angry bees caused elephants to move away within about 10 seconds. However, bees are known to be attracted to the water around elephants' eyes and when they get up their trunks, elephants can go berserk, say researchers from...
2007-10-08 - Dak Lak, Vietnam. Hoang Thien Nga
The People’s Committee of Dak Lak Province in the central highlands has approved a VND8.5 billion (US$528,500) project to preserve domesticated elephants in the region. Under the project, the province will establish reserve areas and found an association for elephant tamers and breeders, along with other agencies concerned with preserving the animal.
2007-10-07 - Buffalo, United States.
Lots of money and family fun filled the afternoon Saturday at the Buffalo Zoo, where HSBC Bank held its annual Halloween gathering for bank employees and presented the zoo a $90,000 check that helped it get accredited. Last month, a year after the Buffalo Zoo's five-year accreditation was delayed, the zoo launched a campaign to collect more than $2 million and win its reaccreditation.
2007-10-07 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Sometimes I am a sucker for animal tricks and here is a perfect example. At night in Bangkok, there are baby to large-size elephants that roam the streets with a handler. There are never large groups of elephants on the streets, but rather one elephant here, another there. For a dollar, you can feed the elephant baby cucumbers, baby bananas or sugarcane and it is fantastic. The elephants trunk comes right up to you and grabs the food. They have a very strong trunk, it is truly impressive. When y...
2007-10-06 - El Paso, United States.
Pack your Trunks for a positively pachydermic experience! Come visit the El Paso Zoo to support conservation of the world’s largest land mammal. You’ll touch neat bio-facts from elephants or buy your ticket for the opportunity to actually walk into the elephant exhibit area and hide produce to feed our own Conservation Ambassadors – Savannah and Juno the El Paso Zoo’s Asian elephants. RSVP quickly to reserve your space at the special “Breakfast with the Elephants.” Did you know eleph...
2007-10-06 - Melbourne, United States.
LOADS of face paint will be slapped on today as the Melbourne Zoo celebrates its 145th birthday. Elephants Numoi, 6, and Kulab, 8, got right into the spirit of the bash with the anniversary numerals painted on their foreheads. They and another elephant, Dokkoon, are among the zoo's newest residents and are enjoying the extensive Trail of the Elephants area in its Malaysian-themed setting.
2007-10-06 - Bokakhat, India.
Chilli-bombs and firecrackers, these are the simple but effective weapons that wildlife activists are encouraging people to use to chase away marauding elephants in villages near here. The aim is to ward off man-animal conflict situations as far as possible. Bokakhat town in Golaghat district is about 10 km from the famous Kaziranga national park in northeast India. Villages that fall on the Rajabari-Lokhowjan-Borsapori region near here have been witnessing elephant raids for the past several mo...
2007-10-06 - Portland, United States.
The Metro Council at the Oregon Zoo heard testimony to expand the elephant exhibit. Bottom line, most of the people with the organization In Defense of Animals simply want the exhibit moved out of the Zoo to give the animals more living space. These elephants, because they're the largest land animal, need more space and adding a couple of acres to their already small space is not enough. Deputy Zoo Director Mike Keele disagrees. The sadness is that these armchair extremists don't realize that wh...
2007-10-06 - Bangalore, India.
It will be all about elephants on the third day of the wildlife week celebrations at the Bannerghatta Biological Park on Saturday. Children can debate, meet wildlife experts and also interact with villagers who encounter these animals often. As part the elephant day, the Forest Department is organising programmes to generate awareness about the animal. Programmes include pick-and-speak competition, quiz contest and question-and-answer session. The Forest Department has made arrangements at Arany...
2007-10-06 - Kusheswor Mandal, Nepal.
Two wild elephants sneaking from Koshi Tappu Wild Santuary have caused huge damage to paddy crops in Prakashpur, Madhuban, Western Kusaha and Shreepur VDC area. According to the victimized farmer, elephants have damaged paddy crops cultivated in each 4 to 7 katthas of land belonging to Kusheswor Mandal, Kapleswor Mandal, Rajender Majhi, Shiv Raj Rawat, Baijanath Mandal, Umesh Mandal, Baldev Mandal, Parsuram Mandal, Sukan Ram, Ajhyya Sardar.
2007-10-06 - Juba, Sudan.
South Sudan will invite bidders to run its first game park hotel set in the elephant-rich area of Nimule on the border with Uganda, the Wildlife Ministry's director-general for tourism said. Joseph Oroto said they had almost completed the renovation of a 42-bed lodge set on a hill with views over the White Nile's sweeping entrance from Uganda to Sudan where some 50 herds of elephants drink.
2007-10-06 - T’PURAM, India.
Captive elephants can be traded only with prior permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden and based on conditions that he sets, the Forest Department said here on Friday. The department came out with a clarification on the point following statements in the media by the Kerala Elephant Owners’ Association that no legal hurdles existed in the sale of elephants.
2007-10-05 - Leggett, United States. http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou071004_ac_elephants.13a4a2d89.html
Some things, you expect to see in Texas. But in the town of Leggett, about 80 miles north of Houston, there are two things you dont. Tina and Jewel are rare Asian elephants. With fewer than 50,000 and remaining in the wild, they are an endangered species and share the Leggett property with a third elephant named Boo when shes not on the road with handler, Will Davenport.
2007-10-05 - Bhubaneswar, India.
BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 5: The Nandankanan Zoological Park in collaboration with the Chandaka Wildlife Division, Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society, Orissa, WWF Orissa and CEE, eastern regional cell, will observe elephant day on 7 October and a Wildlife Week too. To mark the day, the zoo authorities have decided to organise the naming ceremony of the recently- rescued elephant calf, besides adorning the elephants and fixing a huge hoarding.
2007-10-05 - Budapest, Hungary.
A German pharmaceuticals company from Hamburg has saved a baby elephant born in the zoo of Nyiregyhaza, N Hungary, last month by supplying a special milk replacement feed after the mother was unable to feed the calf, a spokesperson said on Friday. The baby was the first African elephant born in Hungary, on September 4. The mothers milking glands got inflamed after giving birth and so the baby elephant had to be hand-fed at hourly intervals with the special milk supplied from the German company f...
2007-10-04 - Fairhope, United States.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will announce its plans for an elephant conservation center in Somerset County later this month. Details of the $1.5 million International Conservation Center will be announced at the Oct. 19 groundbreaking. The 724-acre Glen Savage Ranch was once a private hunting preserve. The zoo bought it and is turning it into the first breeding ground for endangered African elephants in North America.
2007-10-03 - Chhatarpur, India.
The Panna tiger reserve here is making all out efforts to get the name of Vatsala, the oldest living elephant on the planet, included in the Guinness book of world records. Brought from Neelambur forest division in Kerala in 1993, the 92-year-old Tusker, steals the show at the reserve forest, attracting tourists inquisitive to know more about her. The Guinness book of world records mentions an 86-year-old elephant of Thailand as the oldest tusker on earth. But Vatsala has crossed the age under a...
2007-10-03 - Jaipur, India.
Along with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jaipur's elephants are all set to show their acting skills in Ashutosh Gowarikars historical epic Jodha Akbar. More than 10 elephants from Jaipur would soon be transported to Maharashtra for taking part in the film's shooting. These elephants would be used by Gowarikar for filming the final shots of his historical movie Jodha Akhbar, Shyam Gupta, president of the Jaipur elephant owners association told IANS here Wednesday.
2007-10-03 - , United Kingdom.
A WALK on the beach with his dog Daisy lead pensioner Dennis Smith to make a fascinating discovery among the flotsam and jetsam - the leg bone of a giant mammoth. Nature lover Mr Smith, from Witham, has been visiting Dunwichs Cliff House Holiday Park with his wife Barbara for more than 20 years, and often takes part in the annual BeachWatch clean up, but this is the first time the 69-year-old has come across such an exciting find on the seashore.
2007-10-02 - Dehradun, India.
Arundhati, an ageing elephant suffering for long due to a fractured leg, died Tuesday night even as forest officials were planning to put the pachyderm to sleep despite initial protests from wildlife lovers. Veterinarians attending the animal were set to administer a lethal dose of anaesthesia ahead of the mercy killing when the 70-year-old breathed her last. Arundhati broke her front left leg about three weeks ago while she was being taken for a walk by her keeper in the Chilla forest range, ab...
2007-10-01 - Portland, United States.
The Oregon Zoo announced today that its 13-year-old Asian elephant, Rose-Tu, is pregnant and should deliver a calf between Sept. 4 and 24, 2008. Zookeepers figure she conceived between Dec. 4 and 6, 2006, when she was allowed to roam the elephant yard with Tusko, a 36-year-old bull the zoo acquired on a breeding loan in 2005. A baby, said Mike Keele, signifies a major impact on the life of the herd. Its incredibly enriching.
2007-10-01 - Dehradun, India. Swati Thiyagarajan
The debate has ended and sadly so. Everybody agrees now that Arundhati, the ailing 72-year-old elephant, has to be put to sleep. Even the NGO and locals who had protested earlier seem to have reconciled with the situation. But the hitch is, forest department officials are still waiting for the drug required for the lethal injection. Sodium Pentathol, commonly used to put dogs to sleep is required in a large quantity by the officials, which is not available at the moment.
2007-10-01 - London, United Kingdom.
DNA Solutions based in London, UK, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to work together with Fauna & Flora International, the worlds oldest conservation organisation, in using DNA fingerprinting to monitor elephant populations in Cambodias Cardamom Mountains with the help of our scientists. Elephant dung is being collected by field biologists and trackers, and transported to DNA Solutions, an accreditated DNA testing laboratory, where the DNA will be extracted and analysed.
2007-10-01 - Kasese, Uganda.
Elephants and monkeys from the Queen Elizabeth and Kibaale National parks have destroyed crops in the district. The crops include cassava, maize, pineapples and paw paws. The affected areas are Nyakiyumbu, Kisinga, Lake Katwe, Kichwamba and Muhokya villages. “The Elephants have also left many cotton fields destroyed. The cases were reported but the Government has not yet helped the people whose gardens were destroyed,” said Xavier Muhindo, the district production coordinator. He was addressi...
2007-10-01 - Western Plains Zoo, Australia. Portas TJ, Bryant BR, Göritz F, Hermes R, Keeley T, Evans G, Maxwell WM, Hildebrandt TB.
2007-09-30 - Dominguez Hills, United States. Shelly Leachman
It was an odd experiment, to be sure: An enormous Asian elephant 5 tons large buried on a southeast section of a college campus, while yards away, near a baseball diamond, a rare black rhinoceros got similar treatment. But it happened right here in the South Bay, at Carson-based California State University, Dominguez Hills, back in 1979. The brainstorm of elephant-obsessed, then-psychology professor Jack Adams, the experiment's goal was retrieval of the beasts' bones for a comparison study aimed...
2007-09-30 - London, United Kingdom.
THE photographic archive of London Zoo, one of the world’s most important such collections, is to be published for the first time, with the pictures offered for sale to fund conservation, writes Holly Watt. From tomorrow, the Zoological Society of London will place photographs on its website. These will include elephants walking through docks in Camden, north London, and a tiger cub pictured in 1914 with a disgruntled-looking peccary, a pig-like animal from South America. In another photograph...
2007-09-30 - Mysore, India.
The elephants which take part in the Jumboo Savari every year are no different from your kids at home for the mahouts and kavadis and for their family members. Cajoling these 'special kids' is no different from cajoling your own kids at home, after you punish them, whenever they go out of way. If you give sweets and chocolates to cajole your children, the jumbos are given jaggery and sugarcane.
2007-09-30 - Asheboro, United States.
In June, the N.C. Zoo, in Asheboro, struck a deal with the Valley Zoo in Edmonton, Alberta, to send Samatha south on a breeding loan. She arrived at the N.C. Zoo shortly after sunrise Sunday after a four-day truck ride. One of her Edmonton zoo keepers, Jackie Buck, accompanied her and will stay for five days to help Samantha acclimate.
2007-09-29 - New Orleans, United States.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates wild populations which are scattered throughout India, Nepal, Indonesia, China and a few other countries is between 25,600 to 32,750 individuals. That represents a stark decline over the last few decades and the results of habitat loss due to increased agriculture and related shootings as well as some ivory poaching. Perhaps the single great obstacle facing Asiatic elephant recovery however is a lack of publicity. African elephants are the darlings of the ...
2007-09-29 - Palakkad, India.
A 12-year old elephant was killed when it was hit by a running train near the Walayar forests between Chullimada and Kanjikode on Friday. The elephant, which descended from the forests, was hit by the Kochi-Tiruchirapalli Tea Garden Express at around 2.30 am in the wee hours of Friday. The elephant, after being hit, was dragged over a distance of half km. Only the skin, trunks and the legs were recovered while all the internal organs laid scattered over a distance. A post-mortem was conducted on...
2007-09-29 - Hattiesburg, United States. REUBEN MEES
John Kamper was not a resident of Hattiesburg, but theres still plenty of evidence of the Meridian businessmans influence on the Hub City. In 1902, what is now called the Hattiesburg Zoo at Kamper Park opened with an elephant called Mrs. Hattie, according to a poetic history of the zoo written by Angela Hayes and recorded in the "History of Forrest County, Mississippi."
2007-09-29 - Mysore, India.
In the midst of hectic election process, the second batch of Dasara elephants arrived silently at Doddakere Maidan here on Friday. Elephant Harsha and Vikrama from Dubare, Sri Rama, Abhimanyu, Sarala and Kanti from Sunkadakatte, K. Gudi and Thithimathi forests arrived at Doddakere Maidan. Deputy Conservator of Forest and veterinary doctors welcomed the elephants which were later taken to the camp at Palace Complex. The first batch of the elephants were welcomed on a grand scale and were taken in...
2007-09-29 - San Diego, United States. Jeanette Steele
The San Diego Zoo has started demolishing 7 acres of old exhibits there to make way for Elephant Odyssey, the blockbuster $44 million project that will house elephants, lions and jaguars. In total, 10 percent of the zoo's display area is off limits while bulldozers take out 50-year-old exhibits that once held giraffes, zebras and antelope. Construction will start early next year and last 18 months.
2007-09-29 - Dehradun, India. S M A Kazmi
By now, arundhati should have been dead. Killed by the needle that would have ended the agony of a multiple fracture on her massive, right foot. But Arundhati, 80, is alive. Arundhati, the elephant. Her life, scheduled to end today, has been kept on hold by the tears of an entire city, her mahout, the man who runs the park in which she lives, and the man who signed the death order. This leafy city has never come across anything like this before — the first mercy killing case of a domesticated ...
2007-09-29 - Muskogee, United States. Elizabeth Ridenour
When Hi-Bi the clown waved at Grace Hiseley with both hands, his pants fell down, bringing squeals from Grace and dozens of others Saturday in the Muskogee Civic Center. The three-ring Bedouin Shrine circus, along with cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn and balloons, filled the civic center Saturday afternoon. Spectators clapped in time with a drumming elephant to the tune of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Two more shows will be held today.
2007-09-28 - Los Angeles, United States. Karen Kaplan
Scientists seeking to decode ancient DNA from woolly mammoths and other Ice Age beasts have found an abundant new source of unsullied genetic material: ordinary hair. Using samples of fur from mammoths that roamed Siberia 17,000 to 50,000 years ago, the researchers were able, they say, to reconstruct the complete mitochondrial genomes of 10 animals, even though some of the hair had been stored at room temperature for 200 years.
2007-09-28 - Orlando, United States. Henry Pierson Curtis
Orlando is safe from rampaging pachyderms now that the Orange County Sheriffs Office has bought 14 elephant guns. The newest weapon in Sheriff Kevin Bearys armory fires a half-inch-diameter bullet with sharpshooter accuracy. The sole purpose for this weapon is large or exotic animals, sheriffs spokesman Jim Solomons said Thursday.
2007-09-28 - Knysna, South Africa.
The Knysna elephants, made famous through the books written by Dalene Matthee, were thought to be on the verge of disappearing from the forests around the Southern Cape Town. But recent research indicates that a small elephant population still occupies the area and their numbers are increasing. DNA that was extracted from the dung left behind in the forests has been tested and five females have been identified. The research project is conducted by Gareth Patterson and conservation geneticist, Lo...
2007-09-28 - Augusta, United States. Emily Sapienza
The tusk of a prehistoric mastodon that a Cushing family donated to the Maine State Museum in August has been officially accepted to the museum's collection. Museum registrar and zoology curator Dr. Paula T. Work sent documents to the Winchenbach family on Sept. 14 that confirm the transfer of legal title for the prehistoric tusk from the family to the museum. Work also included a letter to Michelle and Timothy Winchenbach thanking them for their generous donation.
2007-09-27 - Knoxville, United States. Sam Watson
More shovel-tusked elephant remains have surfaced at the Gray Fossil Site seven years after scientists first identified portions of the fossilized behemoth in the early days of the sites discovery. Having searched in vain in previous digs, East Tennessee State University researchers struck gold this week after getting a better idea of where an elephant pelvis and other fragments were found from some of the original investigators.
2007-09-27 - Los Angeles, United States. Randolph E. Schmid
Attacking several tons of woolly mammoth with stone-tipped spears must have taken extraordinary courage — and ancient people left paintings to prove they did it. Now, scientists are approaching mammoths in a different way, extracting DNA from their dense coats in an effort to learn more about them. Mammoths are extinct, of course. No one knows if the cause was climate change, hungry Neanderthals or something else — but they left behind remains, often frozen in the tundra.
2007-09-27 - Keonjhar, United States.
The recent death of two elephants in the rail accident and another one due to electrocution in Keonjhar district has brought to forefront the threat faced by the pachyderms of this area. Sources said that there were 112 elephants in Keonjhar in 2002. In 2005 the number came down to 69. In 2007 the number of elephants in this district is only 51. While there are eight males, 14 females,and six calves in the Keonjhar forest division, in the Anandapur wild division there are 18 elephants, including...
2007-09-27 - Miami, United States. RACHEL MONAHAN
Shes not the flying elephant with whom the DUMBO neighborhood shares a name. But she is a painting pachyderm. Dondi, 33, will exhibit her artwork at a neighborhood festival tomorrow and Sunday. Its a natural movement of the trunk, explained Zannah Mass, cultural affairs director for developer Two Trees. The real estate company is expected to bring the 8,000-pound artist, originally from Thailand, for an appearance at the 11th annual DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival this weekend.
2007-09-27 - New York, United States.
The artwork above, you're not going to believe this, was painted by elephants. Thats right: The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project, a nonprofit organization, gives elephants paintbrushes, paper, paint, and an easel, and let's them do their thing. Most of the artwork is abstract, but some of the paintings are unbelievable! The AECP is based out of New York City, and its purpose is to raise money and awareness about the plight of the elephants of Southeast Asia.
2007-09-26 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
Zoo keepers at Colchester Zoo have become extremely concerned about the health of one of its elephants. Keepers at the zoo are worried about the progress of Rosa the elephant, who has been under a pioneering drug treatment for several months now with no improvement. In May Rosa was examined under anaesthetic to assess her condition which was causing her obvious discomfort and compromising her welfare. The procedure confirmed scarring to her vagina which was affecting the nerves in the pelvic are...
2007-09-26 - Edmonton, Canada.
The Valley Zoo said goodbye to Samantha the elephant as she left to be a mom in her new home in North Carolina. The 19-year-old elephant will be part of the breeding program at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, which recently expanded its elephant enclosure to include seven acres in a naturalized habitat. The Valley Zoo has been Samantha's home since 1988. Staff stroked and petted Samantha before she boarded the moving truck Tuesday night. Zoo operations manager Dean Treichel said they're sad ...
2007-09-25 - Nairobi, Kenya. Karen Allen
British soldiers training in Kenya, accused of frightening wildlife, say they did not overfly the game reserves. The soldiers, it was claimed, had been flying helicopters so low that they were scaring off the wild animals. Game wardens in the Samburu district complained that the British forces were hampering Kenya's conservation efforts. The allegations sparked an urgent investigation and the British High Commission now says none of the alleged incidents took place.
2007-09-25 - Vallejo, United States.
Responsible for the feeding, cleaning and maintenance of Elephant Encounter area and for entry level training of elephants and behaviors. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Feed, brush and bathe animals as directed by Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor. Give commands to ask elephant to lay down, move. If needed, brush elephant from atop their back and head. Perform night feeds as assigned. Clean animal enclosure areas including log show, elephant theatre, rides, yard, pool and barn. Hose down and sque...
2007-09-24 - Gulu, Uganda. David Kilama
Several elephants have invaded IDP camps in Amuru District destroying crops threatening peoples lives and forcing many to flee to safety. The elephants, which came from Murchison Falls National Park, are said to be searching for food. The most affected areas are Koch Goma Sub-county, Amar and Alero parishes and Ongako Camp.
2007-09-24 - Boston, United States. Andy Nelson
A friend of mine in Oregon, Michael Wilhelm, is a nature photographer, and he once told me, I don't want to just take pictures of animals, I want to capture their behavior. His words rang in my head when I was recently in South Africa and encountered a young elephant and his family. I think elephants are amazing and shot plenty of pretty pictures of this animal and of the herd as they were walking.
2007-09-24 - Miami, United States. MONICA HATCHER
You think you've got to deal with a lot of crap at work? You aint got nothin on Tarah Bedrossian. As Miami Metro Zoos elephant manager and enrichment coordinator, Bedrossian and her team of four are responsible for removing hundreds of pounds of elephant dung each day. Its just one of the many daily chores of elephant husbandry. We use rakes, shovels, pitch forks and wheelbarrows. We wheelbarrow it out twice a day, Bedrossian, 31, said. The staff, in fact, once weighed a single elephant's output...
2007-09-24 - Stavropolsky, Russian Federation.
Skeleton of a southern elephant, who lived millions of years ago, was discovered in Stavropolsky region by workers in an open pit. To date scientists know only four such skeletons. One of said skeletons was discovered in the same region in 1960 and is now exhibited in regional museum, Three more elephants found home in Paris, Saint Peterburg and Tbilisi.
2007-09-23 - Sammanturai, Sri Lanka. Wasantha Chandrapala
The menacing wild elephant is today the oft talked about subject in almost every village which is close to forest areas. Hardly a day passes sans some incident involving this animal. It appears that the attempts made by the Wild Life authorities are hardly able to control this hazardous situation. Ampara district figures more prominently in such episodes where confrontation between man and beast is most common. The most recent incident happened last Tuesday when a two year-old girl became a vict...
2007-09-23 - Chennai, India.
Giving details of the world famous Thrissur Pooram, organised for the first time in the city, at a press conference here, Association President M Nanda Govind said the city police had firmly denied permission to bring elephants from Kerala. Some of them would be mechanised elephants, operated remotely. They will raise their trunks and even bless the visitors, he said, addding the caparisoned life-like elephants would be displayed with full decorations, including silk umbrellas, peacock fans and ...
2007-09-23 - Jackson, United States. Tracie Simer
A fossil skeleton stands at 19 feet, the tusks are 8 feet long and its more than 12,000 years old. Its the only display of its kind in West Tennessee. A woolly mammoth skeleton is on exhibit at the Obion County museum through June. The county has it on loan from Russia.
2007-09-22 - Sacramento, United States. Dixie Reid
The 51-year-old Baby appears to be dozing off while six members of the circus crew shampoo and scrub her with wire brushes. The elephants are bathed daily with a vegetable-based shampoo to keep their hides clean and exfoliated, says Carrie Coleman, a veterinary technician with a degree from Purdue University who travels with the show. While the others wait for Baby to be done with her shower, 46-year-old Siam, who is a little impatient, uses her trunk to snort up soap suds making their way to th...
2007-09-22 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Wildlife Department sources say that 117 wild elephants died so far this year. The majority of the elephant deaths were reported from the Northwestern Wildlife Zone which inhabits the most number of elephants. Fifty four elephants were killed there. In the Mahaweli zones 37 elephants were killed. Twenty were killed in South and two killings each were reported from Central, Yala, Bundala and East Wildlife zones.
2007-09-21 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
Veterinarians at a zoo in eastern India struggled Friday to save an orphaned baby elephant who was injured when a train killed its mother, officials said. The 4-month-old elephant was brought to the Nandankanan Zoo in the city of Bhubaneswar with slight injuries, but its chances of surviving without its mother were estimated at 50 percent, said zoo director Ajit Patnaik. The Nandankanan zoo earlier had the opportunity to take care of more than 20 orphaned wild baby elephants and nearly 50...
2007-09-21 - Birmingham, United States. Walter Bryant
The Birmingham Zoo unveiled plans for a major new exhibit Thursday night, a $15 million, 14-acre showcase for African beasts and birds that officials hope will transform the 52-year-old zoo as a tourist destination. The Trails of Africa exhibit will also mark the return of elephants to Birmingham, something that has been missing since the zoos beloved Mona died in June. The new exhibit, which will push the zoo into a portion of the wooded property surrounding the current zoo proper, will include...
2007-09-21 - Minneapolis, United States. DAVID HANNERS
With a council chamber packed by zealots, schoolchildren, executives in fezzes and a guy with a sign saying the president should be impeached, the Minneapolis City Council on Friday declined to ban circuses from the city. The council spent two hours debating the proposed ordinance, then decided to send alternative legislation, which would regulate, not ban, circus animals, back to a committee for more tweaking. As debate and time dragged on, discussing motions, amendments, alternative motions, e...
2007-09-20 - Waco, United States. R.A. DYER
Not far from modest suburban homes in the middle of some thick Texas woods lies a secret boneyard. Surrounded by a tall chain-link fence and covered by what looks like a red-and-white circus tent, the site contains the remains of towering monsters. Remains of at least 25 mammoths, signs of a big saber-toothed cat and a long extinct camel have been found at the site. This is the Waco Mammoth Site, a collection of prehistoric fossils embedded in the dirt not far from the Bosque River. The site cou...
2007-09-20 - New Bedford, United States. Pamela Marean
Find out what its like to have a curious elephant reach out to touch you with its powerful trunk. Get up close and personal with New Bedfords resident pachyderms, Emily and Ruth, and help the giant and gentle creatures of their kind around the globe at the same time. Elephant appreciation and fundraising is the focus behind a whole host of exciting activities at Buttonwood Park Zoo on Sunday. Those who come will enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences with these unique endangered animals that are us...
2007-09-20 - Gumare, Botswana.
A 75-year-old woman of Beetsha has been killed by elephants. Gumare-based Senior Game Warden, Mr Phepa Babopi, said the woman was killed last week while cutting trees in her field to prepare for the ploughing season. He said the woman was accompanied by her daughter who ran away. Mr Babopi said the elephants were incensed by dogs that barked at them earlier during the day. The woman was buried over the weekend in Beetsha.
2007-09-20 - Kochi, India.
Film personalities, including Dilip Kumar and John Abraham, have taken up the cause of elephants by urging all states to ban the entry of the animals into urban areas. Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu, Abraham, Raveena Tandon, Yana Gupta, Rahul Khanna and Celina Jaitley are among those who have signed a petition of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals that asks all chief ministers not to allow elephants to enter urban areas.
2007-09-20 - Agoura, United States. Ian Manning
In June, 1969, I came back to the Luangwa to hunt for Luangwa safaris, first flying up to Fort Jameson where Norman Carr, one of the partners, ran the business. The field operations were run by his partner, Peter Hankin, from a bush headquarters at Chanjusi in the Luangwa. I arrived at Chanjusi, feeling a little like the once successful actor attempting a comeback after a period of absence, for I had left for Canada fully two dry seasons ago. To return again and see the vistas of Cathedral mopan...
2007-09-20 - Keonjhar, India. Swati Thiyagarajan
Two female elephants were killed when a goods train rammed into them in Orissas Keonjhar district. Two other elephants of the herd trying to cross a railway track have been injured. The track falls on the usual migratory route of the herds. A big male bull with injuries is still at large while two female elephants were killed outright. A baby elephant injured and shocked after the accident has now been removed to the Nandakanan zoo for care.
2007-09-20 - Dehradun, India.
An adult elephant was found dead in Barkot forest range of Doiwala area in the state, the official sources today said. The pachyderms death came to light last evening when villagers informed the forest guards patrolling the area about the animals body lying there. The sources, however, have ruled out any foul play behind the mammals death as his tusks and other vital organs were found to be intact. A postmortem is being conducted to ascertain the cause of the elephant's death.
Not far from modest suburban homes in the middle of some thick Texas woods lies a secret boneyard. Surrounded by a tall chain-link fence and covered by what looks like a red-and-white circus tent, the site contains the remains of towering monsters. Remains of at least 25 mammoths, signs of a big saber-toothed cat and a long extinct camel have been found at the site.
2007-09-19 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
Scotty, the Louisville Zoo's pride and joy, can raise each of his legs on command and, at least sometimes, can hold on to the tail of his mother, Mikki, with his still-developing trunk. In addition to learning a trick or two, the baby African elephant is learning to be calm around people and to show some patience, said Dave Campbell, the zoo's elephant-area supervisor.
2007-09-19 - Keonjhar, India.
Two female elephants were killed on the spot and two others sustained injuries when a goods train ran over a herd in this mineral-rich district early on Wednesday. The train accident leading to death of two elephants was said to be the first major accident in the state. The accident took place about 10 km away from Joda town. Forest department personnel rescued one of the two injured elephants from the spot after the locals informed them about the mishap. The injured baby elephant, which lost it...
2007-09-19 - Dublin, Ireland. Robert Cox
If you're thinking of getting a closer look at Dublin Zoo's latest addition, - the baby Indian elephant recently christened Asha, be sure to admire the gates of the elephant enclosure when you're there. And when you come back you can congratulate local company, Globe Metalworks, based in Rooskey, who designed and installed the 12 gates between the enclosure and the elephant house.
2007-09-19 - San Diego, United States.
While the San Diego Zoo still celebrates the recent birth of a baby girl panda, the Wild Animal Park has something to celebrate too. The 17-year-old African elephant, Umoya (oo-MOY-ah), gave birth Wednesday to a healthy bouncing baby girl. The female calf was born at 12:23 a.m. She is the third elephant born at the park in the past 12 months. Umoya, which meansspirit in the SiSwati language, and her calf will be slowly introduced to the rest of the herd. Keepers and researchers are monitoring th...
2007-09-19 - Lira, Uganda. Julius Ocen
Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army has reacted with fury to plans for a joint Ugandan-Congolese military attack on its main base in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebels have based themselves in the DRC's Garamba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited by the world's last few northern white rhinos, the only known population of Congo giraffe and elephants, buffalos, and hippopotamus.
2007-09-19 - Philadelphia, United States.
The Philadelphia Zoo said Wednesday it now plans to say goodbye to its three remaining elephants by early next year. The move had been planned for the fall. The African elephants will be moved to the Pittsburgh Zoos International Conservation Center, which is in Fairhope, Somerset County, Pa. At the earliest, the elephants would be moved late this year. A fourth elephant was moved earlier this year to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn.
2007-09-19 - Santa Barbara, United States.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a keeper for our elephant team. This position will carry out all basic aspects of the daily care of the animals, including, but not limited to: training, enrichment, maintenance of exhibits, and enhancing the guest experience. This position is part of a dynamic and progressive Animal Care team. The position may be filled at the apprentice keeper, keeper, or senior keeper level depending on experience, with wages ranging from $11 to $15/hr.
2007-09-18 - Maputu, Mozambique.
The Mozambican government on Monday authorised soldiers to gun down wild animals who are seen as a threat to human beings after a new report highlighted an increase in the number of deadly attacks. The number of people killed by wild animals keeps increasing, said the government-sponsored report which found that around 300 people had been killed in the last decade. Elephants and crocodiles were responsible for most of these deaths, said government spokesman Luis Covane. The government has theref...
2007-09-18 - St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. Irina Titova
At least five elephants, a herd of zebras and thousands more animals from St. Petersburg’s zoo will find a new spacious home near the Yuntolovsky reserve by 2011. A decision on the construction of the new zoo in the Primorsky district was announced by Governor Valentina Matviyenko last week at a meeting of City Hall. It should be done in such a way that the animals will be living not in ‘communal apartments’ [cramped multi-family residences common in downtown St. Petersburg] but in luxurio...
2007-09-18 - Virginia, United States. LIA RUSSELL
Cita, a 38-year-old African elephant, displayed her creative talents while Kristen held a board with a painting canvas. "Cita, paint!" was the command. Holding a brush with her trunk, the talented pachyderm alternately swooshed ribbons of pink, green and blue paint (colors specially selected by Kristen) on the canvas. Her reward? Bananas and corn, offered between brush strokes. Note: she also eats the skins and the cobs. And painting isn't Cita's only artistic accomplishment. Before coming to Vi...
2007-09-18 - San Diego, United States.
The San Diego Zoo has received a nearly $1 million state grant to help build a new elephant exhibit. The zoo is weeks away from breaking ground on the $45 million project. AdvertisementThe funds come from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board, which distributes money from a state infrastructure bond that voters approved in 2002. The exhibit, to be called Elephant Odyssey, qualified for the public money because it will show how modern-day animals, such as elephants and jaguars, a...
2007-09-18 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Colombo University Senior Professor on Ecology Sarath Kotagama says that through the estimates in the past 100 years and the records on man – elephant conflicts, he can prove that the countrys elephant population grew despite the popular belief of decline. He points out that the elephant population was less than 1,000 according to 1953 estimations. The 1973 estimates accounted the elephant population between 1600 – 2200. According to an estimate conducted by Dr. Nandana Athapattu and Man...
2007-09-18 - Bardiya, Nepal.
The wild elephants have demolished 26 houses of freed Kamaiyas in Neulapur VDC-4, Khimarhawaphant, last night. The wild elephants from Bardiya National Park ate the food grains and damaged all the clothes and utensils in the house. The administration of national park has not shown any interest towards preventing the elephant rampage in Neulapur, Nagnaha, Gaula, Thakurdara and Shivapur VDCs of the district. Necessary human resource has been sent to various areas of the district as to prevent the ...
2007-09-17 - Sydney, Australia. Andrew Dunkley
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon is asking that the six Thai elephants at Taronga be relocated to Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo as soon as possible. She sites a situation in Alaska where an elephant is due to be moved from a small environment to an open range zoo and believes the same should apply here. M/S Rhiannon went on to say that evidence gathered by a former Melbourne Zoo employee shows that the Sydney based elephants have only one fifth of a hectare to live in which is hardly adequate.
2007-09-17 - Mysore, India.
Mahouts looking after the Dasara elephants are literally on the streets as the make-shift tents erected for their temporary stay have been damaged due to the incessant downpour of the last three days. More than 50 members of the mahout families, including children are taking shelter in the Mysore Palace grounds as it is impossible to live in the temporary tents in the prevailing rainy conditions. Adding to their woes, the food materials they had kept in the tents have also been ruined.
2007-09-17 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Animal Planets Kingdom of the Elephants is a 60-minute documentary special filmed entirely on location in Southeast Asia that explores the complex bond between elephants and the people of Thailand. Catch the trumpeting on 9th September at 8pm, on ASTRO Channel 51.
2007-09-17 - Bangalore, India.
The book, Elephant Kingdom (published Aug 2007, Mapin) was launched last week in Bangalore. Elephant Kingdom traces the myriad stories and symbolisms behind India's much-loved animal throug its depictions in architectural sculpture. At the heart of the study is a collection of over sixty color photographs from a diversity of antique sett ings, many of them in remote parts of the sub continent.
2007-09-16 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
C-Pack members were discussing Big-Houses proposal to gift an elephant to Romania. But Mano said they could gift more elephants after November once the remaining Em Pees quit Green leader after their move to topple G-ment fails with the budget vote.
2007-09-16 - Nhon Hoa, Vietnam. Tien Phong
When I was young, Nhon Hoa had hundreds of elephants. Every village had elephants, from several to dozens of elephants. In 1993, Nhon Hoa had 16 elephants but now the number is zero, said Mr. Nay Tor, a village patriarch in Nhon Hoa. Nguyen Tan Thanh, Director of the Gia Lai Tourism Service Company, is one of the builders of the famous brand “Nhon Hoa elephant village”, which is widely known by local and international visitors who come to the Central Highlands.
2007-09-16 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Ganesh Chathurthi meant holiday for the seven elephants of the Jumbo Circus. Special poojas were conducted for the pachyderms and they were treated to specially-prepared food. Circus artistes wearing traditional Kerala sarees applied tilak on the foreheads of the kneeling elephants as other artistes looked on. Elephants are among the few animals which are currently allowed in circuses after the Central Government banned wild animals like tiger and lion.
2007-09-16 - Sydney, Australia. Greg Hassall
How do you masturbate an elephant? Very carefully, you might think. Actually, no - it turns out the kinky devils are best stimulated by repeatedly thrusting an arm up their backside. Best left to the experts, methinks.This BBC documentary follows the efforts of scientists to save animals such as elephants, rhinos and cheetahs from extinction by means of artificial insemination, IVF and even cloning.
2007-09-15 - Thiruvananthapuram, India. Nandagopal Nair
A Vinayaka Chaturthi with a difference was celebrated in Kerala where the Gods came alive at a circus in Thiruvananthapuram. NDTV has an exclusive report. The Gaja Puja on Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual event and is a thanks giving to the animals that draw in the crowds all year round. Usually on Ganesh Chaturthi we do this puja. We worship our elephants, said Ajay Shankar, partner, Jumbo Circus. A 57-year-old Zulban Ali has been taking care of the elephants at the circus for thirty years. A fift...
2007-09-15 - Seattle, United States. Mailand C, Wasser SK. University of Washington
This protocol describes a method for the extraction of DNA from elephant ivory. These techniques are being used to assign geographic origin to poached ivory by comparing the ivory genotype to a geographic-based gene frequency map, developed separately. The method has three components: ivory pulverization, decalcification and DNA extraction. Pulverization occurs in a freezer mill while the sample is deep frozen in liquid nitrogen, preventing degradation of DNA during the process. Decalcification ...
2007-09-15 - Mysore, India.
The VIPs, from the ministers to the commissioner of police, Mysore, were all there. So were the hosts of priests and senior officials, to greet them with the traditional nadaswaram, to offer special prayers and to invoke divine blessings for their welfare. For Balarama, Bharata, Varalakshmi, Gajendra, Arjuna and Revathi, this pampering, however, is not new. They go through this ritual, enjoying every minute of it, once a year. Balarama and his five friends comprise a batch of 12 elephants that w...
2007-09-14 - Fairhope, United States. TIFFANY WRIGHT
Residents who will soon be neighbors to African elephants attended an informal gathering to discuss the effect the animals may have on the community. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium officials addressed residents' questions and concerns at Glen Savage Ranch Thursday night regarding the development of the International Conservation Center. The center is located on the 724-acre property and will focus on African elephant breeding. There are also plans to construct shelters, stalls and an indoor arena...
2007-09-14 - Guanzhou, China.
China has wrapped up an historic five-day exchange with law enforcement officers from five ASEAN countries to address one of the region’s major crime issues jointly. The China-ASEAN Wildlife Law Enforcement Co-operation exchange in Guangzhou and Shenzhen aimed to strengthen regional co-operation in the fight against wildlife crime. Eight officials representing police, Customs and environmental agencies from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines joined Chinese counterpart...
2007-09-14 - Chester, United Kingdom.
A vacancy has arisen to join the Elephant Team in developing our Elephant care programme and manage our growing herd. Candidates should have proven experience of working with a mixed herd in both free and protected contact. This is not a post for a trainee. This vacancy may be filled at either keeper or senior keeper level dependent upon the previous experience and qualifications of candidates. Ideally candidates will have a higher education qualificatio...
2007-09-13 - Cleveland, United States. Charles Cassady
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2007 with “Zoobilee,” a day-long celebration with music and fun on Saturday, with extended Zoo hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. “We’ve never had a Zoobilee before,” said Tom O’Konowitz of the Zoo’s marketing department. “Because of our 125th anniversary we wanted to have a special party like none we’ve ever had before.”
2007-09-13 - Pittsburgh, United States. Kellie B. Gormly
Macys Elephant Day activities at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will make a party of ginormous proportions for elephants Victoria and Callee, who were born on Sept. 12 and 19, respectively. The elephants are a year apart in age: Victoria will be 8, and Callee will be 7.
2007-09-13 - Anchorage, United States. Steve Mac Donald
Maggie the elephant will soon be a California girl. The Alaska Zoo Board of Directors chose to send its beloved elephant to a sanctuary run by the Performing Animal Welfare Society, also known as PAWS. The board made the decision during a closed-door meeting last night, but the board didn't make that choice public until this afternoon. For nearly all of her 25 years, Maggie has called a pen at the Alaska Zoo home, but not much longer. After months of research, debate and pressure, the Zoo's boar...
2007-09-13 - Livingstone, Zambia.
A Lone Elephant has destroyed property worth over $30,000 on an Island on the Zambezi River in the tourist capital Livingstone. The property belongs to Tongabezi Safaris. This is the third time this week that property has been destroyed by the same elephant. The beast is alleged to have strayed from neighbouring Zimbabwe. A check by ZNBC news found the island’s makeshift tents, fridge and stove destroyed. Some Zambia Wildlife Authority game rangers were also on the island to access the damage ...
2007-09-12 - Bangalore, India. Raghava M.
Flouting well laid-out guidelines enunciated by the Supreme Court, forest officials at the Bandipur National Park have left the carcasses of wild elephants as food for other animals, an official inquiry has revealed. Eight elephants were found dead at the park between June 2006 and June 2007. The State Police (Forest Cell), which is inquiring into the elephants deaths, found that the carcasses were left in the forest without either being buried or cremated.
2007-09-12 - Minneapolis, United States. Brandt Williams
The Minneapolis City Council takes up an issue not usually on its agenda: the safety of circus animals. A proposal before the council would ban wild animal circuses in the city. While some say its the way to prevent animal cruelty, other council members say the move is misguided. The proposed circus animal ban will face opposition on the council. Councilmembers Paul Ostrow and Betsy Hodges are pushing a substitute ordinance that forgoes an all-out ban in favor of tighter restrictions for circus ...
2007-09-12 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Wildlife Department office of the Trincomalee district of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka announced that 40 wild elephants were killed so far in this year in Trincomalee district alone. Meanwhile, in the adjacent Sigiriya area Wildlife officers and villagers were working round the clock to rescue two wild elephants that had fallen into a cultivation well near Indugaswewa on Monday night.
2007-09-12 - Bangalore, India.
Ivory worth lakhs of rupees was recently recovered from an antique dealer in Bangalore. CNN-IBN Special Investigation team along with the Karnataka Police unearthed one link in the illegal trade in ivory. On Monday morning, the teams managed to get a confessional statement out of one of the accused Murthy. “I was selling the ivory on someone else's behalf,” he said. Murthy was arrested by the Karnataka Police's Wildlife cell on Wednesday morning. Just a day before, he was accosted by CNN-IBN...
2007-09-11 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The zoo accommodates a number of primates, some in larger areas than the big cats. But the most distressing sight is that of the elephants, five of them, all chained to the ground. Thankfully, Alipore zoo now has them in open spaces surrounded by moats, although it still cannot stop visitors from feeding them all kinds of rubbish. Yet the elephants are the USP of the Colombo zoo which, together with the famous elephant orphanage in Pinnawala and the farm at Gonapola, form the National Zoological...
2007-09-11 - Calgary, Canada.
The Calgary Zoos newest all-star attraction made her public debut Monday in front of several hundred adoring fans. Just one month old and wearing a down coat to keep away the autumn morning chills, baby Asian elephant Malti sauntered up and down the paddock with zookeepers on either side like a movie star with her security guards. Head elephant keeper Bob Kam says while Malti is starting to gain more than a kilogram daily, the zoo is still concerned about her bonding with mom, Maharani.
2007-09-11 - Nagaland, India. S.Nsemo Tungu
A herd of wild elephants continues to create havoc in Yanmhon Old village area for the past several years.Several appeals have been made to higher agencies for attention even in the past. Above all, for the last few days they have been aggressively disturbing the villagers, destroying paddy fields around the village and even destroyed few houses and a granary on the foot hills of the village, endangering human life causing untold fear psychosis to the villagers.
Elephant-keeper David Percival walks one-month-old Malti to meet the public for the first time yesterday at the Calgary Zoo.
2007-09-11 - Daklak, Vietnam. Tuoi Tre, Tuong Nhi
A herd of over 20 elephants has been destroying large tracts of paddy and corn fields in Daklak province in Vietnam’s central highlands with authorities unable to find a way to chase the animals away. Since last week more than 20 hectares belonging to some 25 families had been destroyed, officials in La Lop commune said. Several structures put up as guardhouses too have been destroyed. Vi Van Binh, one of the officials, said the herd was different from the ones that had wreaked havoc in previo...
2007-09-11 - Tzaneen, South Africa. Fiona Macleod
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk is having a rough ride after he spent time at a Limpopo outfit that captured young elephants from the wild for elephant-back safaris. Wildlife groups are furious after Van Schalkwyk visited Elephants for Africa Forever (Efaf), an elephant training outfit that caused an outcry in April last year when it "kidnapped" six elephants aged between six and 12 in the Selati private game reserve.
2007-09-11 - Windhoek, Namibia. Petronella Sibeene
A protracted wrangle between humans and elephants in the Caprivi, Kavango, Kunene and the Erongo regions will only come to an end once the Human Management Policy is approved by Cabinet and put into effect, says the Minister of Environment and Tourism Willem Konjore. The policy will consist of mechanisms that should reduce the level of human-wildlife conflict, ensure that the benefits of conservation management outweigh the costs and build on the significance of successes already achieved. The p...
2007-09-11 - Windhoek, Namibia.
Namibia's environment and tourism minister Willem Konjore called Tuesday on Namibians to exercise greater care in regions where elephants abound following the death of four people in the past six weeks in run-ins with the giant animals. People in the Caprivi and Kavango regions in the north-east Erongo and Kunene in the west and north-west should to more careful in the wild and avoid walking around at night, Konjore in a press release sent to international media Tuesday. Both locals and tourists...
2007-09-11 - Sydney, Australia.
THEY were the DNA tests that had onlookers wondering if there had been some monkey business in the elephant enclosure. But, as Taronga Zoo keepers were quick to point out yesterday, there was an innocent explanation for the decision to take cheek swabs from the massive animals. The results will be subjected to DNA analysis and then studied by researchers hoping to establish a genetic map of wild elephant populations in their native Cambodia.
2007-09-11 - SELEBI-PHIKWE, Botswana. ONALENNA MODIKWA
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) councillor for Motlhabaneng ward in Bobirwa constituency escaped with minor injuries after hitting an elephant last Saturday evening. Councillor Joseph Madome was travelling from Lentswe le Moriti to Motlhabaneng village when the accident happened, damaging his vehicle beyond repair. Madome said he was travelling along the gravel road when suddenly the elephant run in front of his car, giving him no time to stop.
2007-09-11 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
Culling elephants could cost South Africa's fast-growing tourism industry dearly, MPs heard on Tuesday. A substantial number of tourists would not come to the country if culling was reintroduced, Animal Rights Africa trustee Steve Smit told members of Parliament's environmental affairs and tourism portfolio committee. This assessment was based on discussions held with local tourism operators and tourism marketing agencies, as well as international animal rights organisations, he said.
2007-09-11 - San Diego, United States.
The San Diego Zoos Wild Animal Park hosted a special birthday celebration for an elephant that turned 1-year-old Tuesday. Khosi was treated with a cake, which she celebrated with family and friends. Most of the time, her mother Umngani was by her side. Khosis mother was one of seven elephants rescued from Swaziland and brought to the park. Zoo officials said Khosi weighs in at almost 850 pounds. When she was a newborn, she tipped the scales at 209 pounds.
2007-09-11 - Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. Elise Tempelhoff, Beeld
An elephant cow in the Pilanesberg nature reserve first chased a game warden for 100 metres, then tore his pants open with her tusk. Later she played a bit of soccer with him. When he landed on his back next to her she stared into his eyes for a few seconds, then shook her head and ambled off back to the matriarch, young cows and calves. Eugene le Roux, 29, chief game warden at Bakubung Bush Lodge said while he was lying staring into the elephants eyes, he hoped his death would be quick.
2007-09-10 - Fairbanks, United States. ROBINSON DUFFY
Ten-year-old J.P. Post was walking home from Woodriver Elementary School last week when he came face to face, or rather face to tooth, with a giant woolly mammoth that roamed his neighborhood more than 10,000 years ago. The boy was traveling home on Aug. 22 along a well-worn path through a wooded area off Amherst Drive directly north of the school when he saw what looked like a jagged rock sticking out of the ground.
2007-09-10 - La Grange, United States. Joe Sinopoli
Hundreds of excited students, teachers, children and parents came to St. Cletus School Wednesday to watch Viola do her stuff. The 35-year-old female Asian elephant was brought out to help raise the Big Top at St. Cletus School for the sold-out Kelly Miller Circus show Wednesday. As a special treat, students at the school were allowed to take time out of class to come and watch as the tent was raised. The tent, made in Italy from a fire-proof material, measures 160-feet by 160-feet and can accomm...
2007-09-09 - Mankarai, India. Jehovah. G
An ailing elephant, known for its notoriety for long in the villages on the outskirts of Coimbatore, has been saved from living with excruciating pain, courtesy forest rangers and wildlife officials' timely help. The jumbo, believed to be around 13 years of age, is said to often enter the villages and habitats in Mankari in search of food for the past couple of years. Often it devoured and damaged the crops. A few days ago, the villagers noticed the elephant ailing in the fringed reserve forest ...
2007-09-08 - Sabah, Malaysia.
Scientists from Cardiff University are planning to set up a field centre in Borneo to research and conserve the smallest and rarest elephants in the world. The Bornean Elephant is the focus of a three year study by a group from the School of Biosciences, led by Professor Michael Bruford. From a base in the Malaysian state of Sabah the team are exploring conservation and management strategies for the species. Now the group is in discussions with the Sabah Wildlife Department about the possibiliti...
2007-09-08 - Buttala, Sri Lanka.
A Sri Lankan eco-lodge built in the shape of an elephant has been nominated for a top slot at the World Travel Awards, its operators said. KumbukRiver, in Okkampitiya in the Buttala is about 250 kilometres away from the capital Colombo and are among the eight lodges nominated for Leading Eco-Lodge in the World at the World Travel Awards to be held later this year. The first time Sri Lanka figures among the world’s leading classifications at the showpiece annual event which also includes awards...
2007-09-08 - Salt Lake City, United States. Brandon Griggs
In Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II, two resourceful keepers of the citys bombed-out zoo rescued Jews by smuggling them into empty animal enclosures. The Zookeepers Wife details how Jan Zabinski helped the Polish resistance by storing explosives in the elephant enclosure, a fact he even kept secret from his wife, and sneaking Jews from the Warsaw ghetto into the zoo, where he gave them animal code names and hid them successfully for years. His wife, Antonina, meanwhile, used her rare cha...
2007-09-08 - Bangkok, Thailand. ZACK YUSOF
There’s a well-known saying among film directors that one should never work with children or animals, let alone on the same project. But that’s exactly what director, producer and cinematographer Joseph Pontecorvo has had to do on his documentary, Kingdom of the Elephants, which premières tomorrow on Animal Planet at 8pm. Kingdom of the Elephants is an hour-long documentary filmed entirely on location in South-East Asia. It explores the complex bond between the elephants and the people of T...
2007-09-07 - Nghe An, Vietnam.
The central province of Nghe An has taken measures to protect wild elephants and ensure safety for local people and their properties that are threatened by the big animals. According to local rangers, two herds of wild elephants with around nine heads in the province in recent years have attacked residential areas and destroyed crops in Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong and Que Phong districts.
2007-09-07 - Bridgeport, United States. Jack Kelly
In the lobby of the museum theres a stuffed baby elephant named Baby Bridgeport, which was the second elephant ever born in captivity. Its emblematic of another of Barnums passions. Among the many elephants he owned was the six-and-a-half-ton Jumbo, which he imported in 1882 to display in his circus. He generated a Jumbo-mania so widespread that the animals name entered the language.
2007-09-07 - Xuancheng, China. He Shan
Sealed away from the outside world for millions of years, a mountain cave located in Xintian Town, Xuancheng City, southern Anhui Province has recently been excavated and classified by archeologists as a prehistoric cave. It harbors a trove of animal fossil bones and vessels. A huge crescent fossil bone weighing two kilograms was unearthed during the discovery. Experts have verified it as an Asian elephant tooth, the first one of its kind to be excavated from southern Anhui Province.
2007-09-06 - Everett, United States. David Chircop
Last month, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., denied an attempt by Ringling Bros. to throw out a lawsuit accusing trainers of abusing elephants with sharpened bull hooks, inhumanly chaining the animals and separating babies from their mothers in violation of the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit was filed in 2000 by the Alexandria, Va., Animal Welfare Institute. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other groups later joined on. Ringling Bros. says the charges ar...
2007-09-06 - Jaipur, India.
Elephant owners in Rajasthan are miffed over the delay in getting their licenses for elephants renewed as it has led to the jumbos sitting idle and their owners being financially hurt in the busy tourist season. Dozens of elephants are used to ferry tourists to the Amer fort, on the outskirts of Jaipur, and the September month marks the beginning of the tourist season here.
2007-09-05 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tamed elephants are a dwindling breed in Sri Lanka that has posed a problem for the conduct of the numerous Peraheras, Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said. According to the Minister, there are only 137 tamed elephants in the country and it has posed a major obstacle in conducting of nearly 72 annual peraheras throughout the country. Ranawaka said tuskers too are a rapidly dwindling species with only 17 of the breed found in Sri Lanka. This is a substantial decrease and is bound to...
2007-09-05 - Traverse city, United States.
They arent certain, but underwater archeologists say they may have discovered a boulder with a prehistoric carving in Lake Michigans Grand Traverse Bay. The granite rock has markings that resemble a mastodon, an elephant-like creature that once inhabited parts of North America, with what could be a spear in its side, say divers who have seen it. They came across the boulder at a depth of about 12 metres while searching for shipwrecks in June, said Mark Holley, a scientist with the Grand Traverse...
2007-09-05 - Sostoi ut, Hungary.
An elephant has been born in Hungary for the first time in 50 years at the Nyíregyháza Zoo Tuesday afternoon. Zoo Director László Gajdos said that this is also the first African elephant to be born in the country, as all previous elephant babies were Indian. The mother elephant, Yoki, arrived at the zoo from Israel last year. A few months ago, her pregnancy was revealed in a laboratory in Berlin. Yesterday afternoon, Yoki was walking in her runner when an attendant noticed that her water had...
2007-09-05 - Budapest, Hungary. Pestiside Staff
You may have read over on Caboodle that Hungary's first ever African elephant was born in captivity at Nyíregyháza Zoo yesterday. However, reading about it is nothing compared to seeing the supercute MTI snaps (the one above with a not-so-cute handler) via the supercute Cukiság, Index's blog dedicated to all things that make you want to go Awwww. However, when the baby bull's time comes to pack his trunk, government tightening of the animal labor market may leave him jobless.
2007-09-05 - Crook, United Kingdom.
THE first man ever to film a Malaysian tiger in the wild has been trampled by an elephant in an Asian jungle. Wildlife cameraman Stephen Hogg, from Crook, County Durham, a friend of Sir David Attenborough, who faces tigers, crocodiles, spiders and other dangers on a regular basis was almost killed when he came face to face with the female elephant and her calf. Mr Hogg, 50, who works as a photographic consultant for the Malaysian World Wide Fund for nature, and who worked with Sir David on the T...
2007-09-05 - London, United Kingdom.
Two of 13 new life-size elephants made from willow at London's Hyde Park. The works were made by Suffolk topiary expert Steve Manning and commissioned by the charity organisation Elephant Family to help support elephant habitat projects.
2007-09-05 - Dublin, Ireland.
There were jumbo celebrations in Dublin Zoo today as its first baby elephant was officially named. Asha, meaning hope in Hindi, was chosen for the bouncing baby girl who arrived almost four months ago weighing in at 80kg (176lb). Zookeepers trumpeted Asha’s arrival in the early hours of May 7 when she became the first elephant to be born in Ireland. Infrared cameras capture the natural birth and showed her taking her first steps within eight minutes. Asha can be seen with her mother Bernhardin...
2007-09-05 - Durgapur, India.
Naughty Sabitri has returned home after a whirlwind romance with the tall, dark bloke she bolted with a week ago. The couple were a fair distance from each other this morning, possibly after having made love. A forest team stepped in and created a din, which drove the hunk away. Forest officers said the tusker had got what he wanted. Sabitri, too, had had the moment of her life. She responded to her mahout today after giving him the cold shoulder for days.
2007-09-05 - Hamilton, United States. Natalie Miller
Green Meadows Farm had an unusual visitor this past weekend — a live Asian elephant named Minnie. Minnie was brought to Hamilton from Connecticut to carry the weight of tradition during the wedding ceremony of Cambridge couple Rahul Bhargava and Emily Rosenberg. The couple was married on the grassy spread in the middle of the Hamilton farm on Sunday, Sept. 2 with all the traditional fixings of a dual-cultural couple. Bhargava is of Indian decent and his bride is Jewish American.
2007-09-04 - Bangalore, India.
The Forest cell of Karnataka police has stumbled upon evidence of poachers luring elephants to swallow bombs, concealed in their food. The tectic is aimed at killing them. According to Superintendent of Karnataka police’s Crime Investigation Department (Forest Cell) S.D. Jawaharlal, the post-mortem report of at least two elephants, who were found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary, had revealed that the jumbos had chewed explosives that had exploded in their...
2007-09-04 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
Efforts to save Sumatran elephants and tigers from extinction gathered steam in Indonesia on Friday, with government officials and experts vowing to find ways to protect the species' dwindling habitat from loggers and farmers. More than 100 people were taking part in the three-day meeting that wraps up Friday. There is a very real danger that Sumatran elephants (and tigers) could become extinct in our lifetime if we don't come to agreement at this workshop, said Christy Williams of the World Wil...
2007-09-04 - Rotterdam, Netherlands.
One of some 30 elephant sculptures embellishing the centre of Rotterdam was badly vandalised late Sunday night. As yet unidentified persons pulled the painted elephant from its pedestal causing the legs to break. Holes were also made in the elephant’s body. “We assume that they have been dancing and jumping on the elephant,” said Mike Spits, the person who took the initiative for the art project on Monday.
2007-09-04 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The 46th elephant cub born in Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka recently was ceremoniously named today as Vidula. The elephant cub received the name after a children’s radio channel initiated by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) recently. The elephant cub got the name Vidula on the request of the pioneer of the radio channel, Sunil Sarath Perera, the Director General of SLBC. Vidula was born to Sapumalee last week. He is the 82nd member of the elephant family in captivity a...
2007-09-04 - London, United Kingdom.
Today, hundreds of Asian elephants are marooned in pockets of habitat, cut off from food and water sources by our busy roads and railways. Here in London, our own (much smaller!) wildlife residents would be stranded in the city if The Royal Parks could not provide safe passage across the urban sprawl. Make your way to Hyde Park from 4th-18th September and celebrate elephant trunks and tree trunks with us.
2007-09-04 - Washington, United States. Archie EA, Hollister-Smith JA, Poole JH, Lee PC, Moss CJ, Maldonado JE, Fleischer RC, Alberts SC. Smithsonian Institution
Here we combine 28 years of behavioural and demographic data on wild elephants with genotypes from 545 adult females, adult males, and calves in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, to test the hypothesis that elephants engage in sexual behaviour and reproduction with relatives less often than expected by chance. We found support for this hypothesis: males engaged in proportionally fewer sexual behaviours and sired proportionally fewer offspring with females that were natal family members or close gen...
2007-09-03 - Dak Lak, Vietnam.
The Central Highlands village of Buon Don is renowned throughout the country for importing the ancient Lao practice of elephant taming to the area centuries ago. Located nearly 50 km northwest from the city of Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak province and between the two branches of the Serepok River, Buon Don is home to the M’Nong, J’rai, Ede, Lao and Thai ethnic minority groups and for the last two centuries has been the centre of all elephant hunting and taming in Viet Nam.
2007-09-03 - Jalpaiguri, India.
A female elephant died due to illness in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri District. Workers of a tea garden found the elephant lying sick and alerted forest officials, who called in veterinary doctors in an attempt to save the jumbo. Despite the efforts of the veterinary doctors, the female elephant succumbed on Sunday. Animesh Bose, the coordinator of a voluntary organisation, said over 15 elephants has died in north Bengal, this year. According to the 2005 national census, there are between 25,000 to...
2007-09-03 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
THE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is spending about US$25 000 per month on water game supply for elephants alone at the Hwange National Park as the species' population increases, it has been learnt. Hwange National Park, which is the third biggest in Africa, is the only park in the region providing artificial water supplies. According to experts, neighbouring Botswana does not provide water points at all. In an interview on Friday, Parks director general Dr Morris Mtsambiwa confirmed t...
2007-09-02 - Bangalore, India.
It's the season of jumbo love, and the elephants in the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) are celebrating it with a rare candour. If West Bengal's Ranigunj saw elephants eloping, BBP reported two overactive cow elephants missing for three full days - they returned to the park on Saturday morning, only after an extended honeymoon with wild tuskers. Jumbo romance is not uncommon at the park, located 22 km from Bangalore. Six cow elephants have turned the park into a happy hunting ground for wild ...
2007-09-01 - UDAGAMANDALAM, India.
Deaths of a tiger and an elephant on a single day, at Mudumalai wild life sanctuary have shocked the forest officials and the wild life lovers alike. In the first incident, forest officials found the carcass of a tiger near the elephant camp, with its hind leg injured. Adding to the shock, a 15-year-old female elephant was found dead in a case of suspected electrocution. Officials said the pachyderm might have come into contact with charged fences near tourist lodges.
2007-09-01 - Sabah, Malaysia.
Scientists helping protect the smallest and rarest elephants in the world are hoping to set up a fieldwork centre on the island of Borneo. The Bornean elephant is only found in the northern part of the island and was recognised as a new subspecies in 2003. Cardiff University has also studied orang-utans in the Malaysian state of Sabah, Borneo, for several years. The rainforest where both species live has been damaged by logging and the growth of oil palm plantations.
2007-09-01 - McMinnville, United States. LAUREN L. DILLARD
A team of archeologists gathered to recover part of a Columbia mammoths upper jawbone from a longtime dig site of his on the South Yamhill River. Ignoring the sound of planes taking off and landing at the adjacent McMinnville Airport, the team carefully uncovered and removed a 34,200-year-old section of maxilla, including one food-grinding molar still in place.
2007-09-01 - Berlin, Germany. Hermes R, Göritz F, Streich W, Hildebrandt T., Leibniz Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research
Over the last few decades, rhinoceroses and elephants became important icons in the saga of wildlife conservation. Recent surveys estimate the wild Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephant populations to be, at most, 50 250 and 637 600 respectively. For the five rhinoceros species, black (Diceros bicornis), white (Ceratotherium simum), Indian (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis), the population estimates ...
2007-08-31 - Bandarlampung, Indonesia.
The population of Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in 2007 is estimated to reach between 2,400 and 2,800 heads, or a decrease by 35 percent from the figure in 1992 when there were 5,000 heads, according to an NGO activist. Some factors which caused the elephant population to drop included deforestation, poaching and human encroachment to the animal`s habitats, Elisabet Purastuti, coordinator of the Elephant Conservation Program of the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)-Indonesia, sa...
2007-08-31 - Windhoek, Namibia. Absalom Shigwedha
The ministry of Environment and Tourism has urged people in the Kavango, Caprivi and Erongo regions to beware of elephants when moving around at night. Colgar Sikopo, the Deputy Director for Parks and Wildlife Management, told The Namibian that drought has forced elephants to be active during the night in search of food. The plea was made after a 47-year-old woman was trampled to death by an elephant at Ngonga village, about 200 km outside Katima Mulilo on August 19.
2007-08-31 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Champika Ranwaka says that the Ministry needs Rs. 10 billion per year for the management of wild elephants in the country. However, the Ministry receives only Rs. 3 billion for all its work, the Minister says. The Minister also pointed out that the shortage of tamed elephants would be a problem in future since there are only 137 tamed elephants while there are 72 famous cultural pageants per year countrywide.
2007-08-31 - Calcutta, India. Ranigunj
Their trunks slung around each other, Sabitri and her mate can savour a few more days of bliss. The forest department has decided to leave the lovers alone through the mating season. This is the time for them to mate and it may take as much as a week or even three days for them to lose interest in each other, said Kumar Vimal, the Durgapur divisional forest officer. A 26-year-old wild tusker from Jharkhand had broken through the fence of a circus in the middle of last night, found his 20-year-ol...
2007-08-31 - Jeli, Malaysia.
They may be wild and feared by local farmers, but in the spirit of Merdeka, the state Wildlife Department has named them Awang Malaysia and Awang Merdeka. They are two male rogue elephants from a herd of three that have been terrorising orchard and farm owners near Jalan Malaysia, Lakota here. They were given the names after an operation by the Kelantan Wildlife and National Park Department rangers yesterday. Awang Malaysia, a 15-year-old, was shot with a tranquilliser dart, but it died after it...
2007-08-31 - San Diego, United States.
A relic of San Diego's prehistoric past was carefully removed from its excavation site Friday. A Columbian Mammoth tusk was found recently during construction at 16th and Market streets, at a depth of 30 feet below sea level. The tusk weighs between 100 and 200 pounds and measures 8 feet long. It was preserved in burlap and plaster prior to Friday's move, and then hoisted by crane and placed in a truck for delivery to the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.
2007-08-31 - Yunnan, China.
The China Daily is reporting that a bull elephant from Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan has recovered from a serious heroin addiction it picked up as a victim of illegal elephant trading. The elephant, nicknamed "Big Brother", was fed heroin-laced bananas in order to make it easier to control him and his herd, which they led westward to Dehong, near China's border with Myanmar.
2007-08-30 - RANIGANJ, India. Debajyoti Chakraborty
A huge tusker, straight out of the jungle, raided a circus in the wee hours of Wednesday, freed a female elephant and eloped with her to make a cosy home by a pond in Raiganj. This tale of untamed love has yet another bizarre twist: a second female elephant, said to be "very attached" to the one that fled the circus, has broken down and is grieving for her "mate".
2007-08-30 - Guwahati, India. Sushanta Talukdar
The Assam Forest Department has clamped a ban on use of private elephants for begging in the State in response to an appeal made by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In his order, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam M.C. Malakar, said private elephants were made to beg on roads by performing tricks and manoeuvres, especially in front of temples. There were instances of the animals going berserk, injuring and killing innocent peop...
2007-08-30 - Mysore, India.
A three-day old female elephant calf rescued from the flood waters in Dhobara forest range in Kodagu district, was handed over to the Mysore zoo on Wednesday. Forest officials said the calf was rescued on Tuesday and brought to the zoo, where it was under veterinary care. Its condition was satisfactory. The new arrival has a 'friend' in the five-day old male elephant calf, which the forest officials had rescued from mandya district and handed over to the zoo anothorities. It was also under treat...
2007-08-30 - Williamsburg, United States.
Prince George Art & Frame will exhibit more than two dozen paintings drawn by Asian elephants through Sept 22. Pachyderm Painters: Paintings by Asian Elephants, features the works of 16 elephants from Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. The show features acrylic works on paper in abstracts and fauna designs. All of the artwork is for sale. Fred Miller, who owns the gallery, said he got interested in the art form when he saw a painting done by an elephant that a client brought in to be framed.
2007-08-30 - San Diego, United States.
Mammoths roaming down Market Street? An ancient fossil unearthed in downtown San Diego has revealed a clue to the city's prehistoric past. A mammoth tusk was found recently during construction at 16th and Market streets. The tusk weighs between 100 and 200 pounds and could be as old as 500,000 years, according to paleontologists. It measures 8 feet long.
2007-08-30 - Beijing, China.
A once drug-addled elephant fed heroin-laced bananas by illegal traders will soon return to the wild after being weaned off his addiction through methadone and round-the-clock care. Big Brother, a bull elephant that once lived peacefully with his herd near the China-Myanmar border in Yunnan province, was caugh by traders in 2005, the China Daily said on Thursday. To control it so that it could lead the herd to where they wanted, the traders kept feeding it bananas laced with drugs, the paper sai...
2007-08-30 - Durban, South Africa.
This years Roscar awards in South Africa for wildlife movies included a memorial award honoring filmmaker Rick Lomba, killed on location by a Bengal tiger. Nicky Lomba, the filmmakers 18-year-old daughter, presented a statue of a hippo Wednesday to Evert van den Bos of Nature Conservation Films, based in Holland and Tanzania, for his movie about a woman who saved the street elephants in Thailand, the Durban Daily News reported Thursday. Van den Bos work also earned a rhino Roscar, the wildlife e...
2007-08-29 - Dodoma, Tanzania. SOSTHENES MWITA
THE five stray elephants, one of which killed a soldier with the Msalato camp of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), Mr Paschal Chiwaligo, have walked back into Mtungutu Forest without further harm to humans. A spokesperson of the Regional Wildlife Department said a team of armed game wardens followed the tracks of the retreating herd of elephants to Zuzu in Bahi District but failed to continue as they lost the tracks. The spokesperson said, however, that the jumbos are likely to have...
2007-08-29 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
More than 100 experts and officials met in Indonesia on Wednesday to try to draft an action plan to save Sumatran elephants and tigers threatened with extinction. Satellite images show large areas of lowland tropical forests, the primary habitat for elephants and tigers, have been cleared on Sumatra island mainly due to farming and logging, the WWF conservation group said. Between 1990 and 2000, a total of 8 million hectares (20 million acres) of lowland forests have been lost to development, th...
2007-08-29 - West Bengal, India.
A man was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants while retuning home through a forest in Bankura district of West Bengal, claim villagers. Bantul Lohar, 59, a day labourer, was Monday night crushed by wild elephants at Hurahur forest range near Sonamukhi, about 150 km from here, local media reports said. His body, which literally turned into a lump of flesh, was recovered Tuesday morning.
2007-08-29 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Department and the All Lanka Tamed Elephant Owners' Association are planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to the welfare and safety of the tamed elephants. The MOU now being prepared will be signed in September, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources said. The government aims to interact positively with the tamed elephant owners to protect the dwindling elephant population in the country.
2007-08-28 - Hartbeespoort, South Africa. SHARMILA NAIR
IT HAS been almost two decades since the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) banned international shipment of ivory, yet the African elephants have not found themselves off the endangered list. Brought into action in 1989 after more than half of African elephants had been slaughtered for their tusks, Cites is still unable to completely protect the animals from illegal hunting. Almost 23,000 elephants are poached every year to support the ivory trade. This revelation ...
2007-08-28 - Orissa, India. Sampad Mahapatra, Jay Mazoomdaar
Two years ago, the Orissa government was all for elephants. Now, two years after the Centre cleared their proposals for two new elephant reserves, the state government has mysteriously changed its mind. Not surprisingly, the Centre is puzzled. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has written to the state: The sudden decision of the state government to not notify the elephant reserve is puzzling. In case the state governments feels that any further rationalization of boundaries of the pr...
2007-08-26 - Calgary, Canada.
Nearly three years ago, when the Calgary Zoos baby elephant Keemaya was sick and dying, Nora Libin tried to help save the pachyderm's life. The 13-year-old took $5,000 raised at her bat mitzvah, combined that with money from her philanthropic grandfather, Alvin Libin, and presented Calgary Zoo officials with $25,000. But it was too late to save the elephant. A combination of infection and rejection by her mother Mahrani took her life at three weeks old.
2007-08-26 - Pinnawela, Sri Lanka.
Forty sixth elephant cub was born in Sri Lanka’s Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage recently. An elephant named Sapumali gave birth to the new cub. The officials said that the cub is in good health. The orphanage originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found injured in various accidents in the jungle has its own generation born in captivity now. Pinnawala, the largest herd of captive elephants in the world with 81 elephants in total is a major tourist...
2007-08-26 - Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A wild elephant rampaged through a village in Bangladesh's Chittagong district, 264 km southeast of capital Dhaka, early Saturday, killing a girl and injuring two others. Locals was quoted by private news agency UNB as saying the elephant came down from a nearby hill and tore through the house of Omar Faruq at Chunati village around 6 a.m. when the victims were asleep.
2007-08-26 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2007-08-25 - Miami, United States.
Florida researchers are studying the remains of an ancient mammoth found on the Seminole Tribes Big Cypress Reservation. The remains were found last month by Willard Steele, the head of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, The Miami Herald said Friday. Workers digging in a canal uncovered the mammoth's teeth. Steele and other archaeologists found nearly 100 more mammoth bones within a few days. Steele estimates the bones are more than 10,000 years old, the newspap...
2007-08-25 - Villisca, United States. Tom McMahon
Curtis Blank vacuums the large, stony structure on his living room coffee table. On first look, the hulking figure is the type of thing any mother would order out of their house pronto. But Blank said, and experts confirm, the coffee table centerpiece is the skull of a mastodon. Its at least 10,000 years old. Blanks brother, Kenny, discovered the head while searching for fossils in the Nodaway River. Blank didnt want to disclose the exact location for fear other diggers would descend on the area...
2007-08-25 - Kantale, Sri Lanka.
Three more wild elephants including two calves were mowed down by the Colombo bound express train at Kitulkotte in Kantale yesterday morning, raising this year’s death toll of wild elephants to 71. Kantale police said a herd of elephants were crossing the railway line when the accident occurred at the 153rd milepost, killing the three elephants aged one, six and 25. Two more elephants were also badly injured and wild life officers who were summoned to the scene treated the injured elephants, a...
2007-08-25 - VIZIANAGARAM, India.
Forest Department officials have reached Puttajammuvalasa village in Gummalakshmipuram mandal, near where a herd of elephants was sighted moving. The trackers, mahouts and trained elephant Jayant from Chittoor district are expected to reach the affected places on Friday night and start drawing up an action plan to curb the menace the wild herd poses to human habitations, District Forest Officer BV Ramanababu told this website’s newspaper. Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, seven persons...
2007-08-25 - San Francisco, United States.
In North Luangwa National Park there once roamed great herds of elephant making up a population of a hundred thousand – by the end of the 1980s there were virtually none left, except fragmented families, wary inexperienced and young, the majority of the elders of the Elephant families killed for their tusks. In this exclusive Safaritalk interview with Jude Price, Hammer Simwinga opens the window on life in the Luangwa Valley, his work, the people who live in the villages, previously sustained ...
2007-08-25 - Meshoppen, United States. JOSH MROZINSKI
Janice and Dutchess, a pair of Asian elephants, will be on hand at the fair, which begins Wednesday and lasts through Sept. 3. In this part of the state you don’t see elephants walking around too much, so this is kind of a unique sight, fair president Charles Pirone said. We’ve had tigers, lions and monkeys but I don’t think we’ve had elephants before. B&C Ranch, of Missouri, is showing the elephants, as well as three camels, three horses and seven ponies. Brett Carden, who owns B&C Ranc...
2007-08-24 - Taipei, Taiwan.
Fossil remains of a newborn mastodon were recently discovered in the dry riverbed of Dajia River near Shih-kang village in Taichung County, sources at the Taichung Mountainview Community University reported yesterday. They also noted that the discovery marks the first time that local archaeologists have found proof that Taiwan was once home to the prehistoric elephant species, which is estimated to have existed from about 28 million years ago to 10,000 years ago.
2007-08-24 - Buffalo, New York, United States. Eileen Buckley
The Buffalo Zoo will be throwing a big birthday bash this Sunday for one of its long-time residents. The Buffalo Zoo will be throwing a big birthday bash this Sunday for one of its long-time residents. A female elephant is celebrating her 50th. Buki's birthday Bash at the Zoo starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. It begins with a "bath time with Buki". Children can make birthday cards. New Era has made an elephant size ball cap for Buki. At 3 o'clock there will be a Buki Parade.
2007-08-24 - Indianapolis, United States. Julie Patterson
Happy birthday to the city's youngest African elephant. Zahara will be one year old on August 31st. She was about 260 pounds when she was born. The heaviest baby born here at the zoo, said elephant trainer Tim Littig. She weighs 718 pounds as of yesterday morning. In honor of Zaharas first birthday August 31, the zoo is hosting a party. Join them Saturday for elephant bingo, prizes and cupcakes.
2007-08-24 - Calgary, Canada. KATIE SCHNEIDER
The Calgary Zoos latest 308-pound bundle of joy now has her own name. A two-week old Asian elephant calf, born at 3:23 a.m. on Aug. 9, has been named Malti. Zoo donor Nora Libin gave the little one its Hindi name, which means moonlight, to be brilliant, or small fragrant flower, said zoo spokeswoman Laurie Herron. Libin chose the name from a list of Sri Lankan and Hindi names the zookeepers gathered before the baby was born, and Herron said it fits the calf perfectly because she was born during ...
2007-08-24 - Anchorage, United States. JAMES HALPIN
A proposal is on the table to get Alaskas only elephant out of the state, and for the first time this summer the Alaska Zoo and animal rights groups could have something to agree on. The Performing Animal Welfare Society, located in Galt, Calif., has offered to take Maggie and pay for her relocation costs, including air transportation, veterinary evaluations and professional training to prepare her for crate travel, zoo officials said Friday. The facility would also pay for Maggie's keepers to t...
2007-08-24 - Brazzaville, Congo. Christian Tsoumou
Herds of elephants are trampling crops and polluting water sources in eastern Republic of Congo, threatening to force thousands of villagers out of their homes, the forestry minister said on Friday. Around 10,000 people in Ingouni-Moke and Olounou I, 250 km (155 miles) north of the capital Brazzaville, have been in a stand-off for more than a week with the elephants which have laid waste their manioc fields. There is a proliferation of pachyderms. Today we have nearly 30,000 whereas in the 1980s...
2007-08-24 - Windhoek, Namibia. Petronella Sibeene
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has advised residents of the Caprivi and Kavango regions to desist from wandering around at night and in the early hours of the morning to avoid being trampled by marauding elephants. The warning, particularly to villages prone to wild animal attacks, comes in the wake of an upsurge in elephant attacks on human beings. Environment officials estimate that there are over 20000 elephants in the Caprivi Region alone while in Kavango Region, the elephant popula...
2007-08-23 - Mawanella, Sri Lanka. Sarath Samaranayake
The Gannoruwa elephant, known to be the tallest elephant in Sri Lanka who has been featured in the annual Kandy Esala Pageant consecutively for over 60 years died after a prolonged illness at Pamunuwa, Mawanella while receiving treatment from Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Asoka Dangolla and traditional physicians of Miyanapalawa. The elephant owned by Lucky Bandaranayake was 80 years at the time of its death. The elephant was buried in Mawanella yesterday. Secretary, tamed elephants owners association ...
2007-08-23 - Waikato, New Zealand. DENISE IRVINE
Its not often you see an African elephant grazing on the side of Hamiltons Rifle Range Rd. But yesterday lunchtime, 40-year-old Jumbo was having a grassy snack under the watchful eye of owner Tony Ratcliffe while carloads of mums, dads and kids stopped to take photographs. Jumbo was oblivious to the fuss she was causing, with one driver doing a u-turn in front of oncoming traffic in the rush to see the big beast.
2007-08-23 - Madikeri, India.
The Karnataka Forest Department has submitted a project report to the state government to shift wild elephants from Kodagu district as they faced problems due to severe loss of habitat, shortage of food and depleting forest. Deputy Forest officer Mallesh told newspersons here today that the project, costing Rs 15 crore, would also help solve the conflict between wildlife and the human beings. Due to erosion of its habitat the elephants had been entering villages and had killed five people in the...
2007-08-23 - Guwahati, India.
A newborn elephant abandonded by its mother in a reserve forest has found a new home and a foster mom in the Assam State Zoo here. The baby jumbo was heard trumpeting in the Rani Reserve Forest, on the outskirts of Guwahati, two days ago by residents of nearby villages who informed forest officials, said the zoo's Divisional Forest Officer Narayan Mahanta. The next day, the villagers found the calf wandering about in the area and informed the nearby forest beat office. Forest authorities immedia...
2007-08-23 - New York, United States. DAVID CRARY
After seven years of legal wrangling, a federal judge rejected efforts Thursday by Americas foremost circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, to derail a lawsuit alleging cruel treatment of its elephants. Its a fantastic result, said attorney Jon Lovvorn of the Humane Society of the United States, one of several animal welfare groups which have pressed the suit. He estimated a trial date would be set for early next year. Judge Emmet Sullivan of U.S. District Court in Washington issued a serie...
2007-08-23 - New York, United States.
After seven years of legal fighting, a U.S. judge rejected efforts Thursday by the United States foremost circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, to derail a lawsuit alleging cruel treatment of its elephants. Its a fantastic result, said attorney Jon Lovvorn of the Humane Society of the United States, one of several animal welfare groups which have pursued the lawsuit. He estimated a trial date would be set for early next year.
2007-08-22 - Vijaynagaram, India.
Three people were trampled to death in an Andhra Pradesh village when elephants went on the rampage. A horde of elephants late Tuesday strayed into Vadabai village in Vijaynagaram district, bordering Orissa and about 700 km from here, and went berserk. There was panic as they killed the three tribals and caused widespread damage to the crops in the area, officials said. Forest officials have reached the area to try and push the animals back to their forest abode.
2007-08-22 - Berlin, Germany.
A female african elephant was born in Berlin wednesday morning, 92 centimeter and 95 kilo heavy. The 22 years old mother Bibi was mother for the second time, the father Tembo has now sired seven babies.
2007-08-21 - Syracuse, United States. DICK CASE
The last time I was at Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park I stopped at the elephant pen and had a talk with Siri. She's the Asian elephant who had that fine ritual of passage over the weekend: She turned 40, officially. She's also, by age and temperament, "top dog" in the elephant pen, which is inhabited by four females and one bull. I got that from Chuck Doyle, the zoo director, who came of age in that pen back when he was the senior elephant keeper. Chuck admitted Monday Siri being 40 is a gu...
2007-08-20 - Vienna, Austria. Brigitta Schmid
Bernd Lötsch, the director general, and my team are looking forward to welcoming you at the Natural History Museum in Vienna. You will get the first Newsletter from ICOM-Austria in autumn. However, we succeeded in making some special arrangements for the members of ICOM-NATHIST, therefore an early information may be useful in advance.
2007-08-20 - Stanford, United States. O'connell-Rodwell CE., Stanford University
This review explores the mechanisms that elephants may use to send and receive seismic signals from a physical, anatomical, behavioral, and physiological perspective. The implications of the use of the vibration sense as a multimodal signal will be discussed in light of the elephant's overall fitness and survival.
2007-08-20 - Pune, India.
Wild life lawyer Mahendra Kacchava, who was instrumental in getting actor Salman Khan convicted for poaching a black buck, will be in the city to fight for two elephants Lakshmi and Poornima rescued in June after they were found walking the city roads begging for their mahouts. While a criminal case was lodged under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) against the two mahouts, the elephants were taken to Katraj zoo. Kacchava, who has been hired by Maneka Gandhi’s organisation People for Animals, ...
2007-08-20 - Bankura, India.
A boy was trampled to death by wild elephants at Chhatna area in Bankura district on Monday. The 14-year old unfortunately fell before an elephant herd that strayed from Dalma forest in search of crops, forest department sources said. Local people alleged there had been numerous depredations by elephant herd in the area in past but the forest department did little to save the villagers.
2007-08-19 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
No festival in Kerala is complete without the majestic spectacle of caparisoned elephants swaying to the frenzied beat of drums and the blare of trumpets. To the casual observer, the pachyderm seems to be relaxed and completely at peace with itself. Very few realise that, behind the visage of calm and poise lies a tale of misery and suffering inflicted by man.
2007-08-19 - Deogarh, India.
A herd of wild elephants on Saturday entered Kadamdhar village here and ran amok after the villagers tried to chase it away. In the melee, an elephant injured one Pachindra Sahu. He suffered a fracture in the leg and had to be admitted to Deogarh Hospital. Last week, another herd of wild elephants went on the rampage in Cheplipali and Suguda gram panchayats under Tileibani block, a few km from the Deogarh town area.
2007-08-19 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
NO youngster likes the idea of a trip to the dentist, but for Kito, the first elephant to be born at Colchester Zoo, the dentist came to him. The four-year-old elephant somehow broke his tusk about six weeks ago - probably on a rock in the elephant enclosure - and after inspection it was decided he needed the help of a specialist. So zoo bosses called in Peter Kertesz, who while having a dental practice for humans in the West End of London, also has a sideline in exotic animals.
2007-08-19 - KEONJHAR, India.
Poachers have become effective with the cancellation of the Baitarani Elephant Reserve Project. A tusker was killed in Banamahuladiha forest in Patna and the tusks were taken. The forest department came to know about the incident on 17 August while the carcass indicated that the crime was committed a week ago. While the forest department could not investigate the matter due to incessant rain the villagers said that there is sufficient proof to establish that it is a handiwork of the poachers. Mr...
2007-08-19 - Anchorage, United States.
The controversy over Maggie the elephants health was set aside today as the Alaska Zoos lone pachyderm celebrated her 25th birthday. The zoo threw a little party to allow admirers to see Maggie. The birthday girl munched on treats full of hay, popsicles made with sugar-free Kool-Aid and her favorite fruit. Zoo officials said knowing that Maggie may move away next spring motivated them to make her birthday a special one.
2007-08-19 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Marisa de Silva
A private agricultural farm that is coming up in a major elephant corridor between the Wasgamuwa and Maduru Oya national parks could precipitate the human-elephant conflict in the future, environmentalists have warned. Environmentalist Samantha Suranjan said there is an important elephant pathway crossing the Nilgala, Maduru Oya, Wasgamuwa, Floodplain National Park and the Somawathiya National Park. He said this had been identified by a Mahaweli Environment Report (Tippetts Abbett McCarthy Strat...
2007-08-19 - Nashville, United States.
The Nashville Zoo is accepting applications for the position of elephant keeper. The responsibilities of this position include all aspects involved in the daily care and management of 0.3 African elephants and their facilities in a free contact system. The Nashville Zoo elephant department encourages and supports all of its members to initiate or participate in projects involving research, education, training, conservation and general elephant management.
2007-08-18 - Bangkok, Thailand. APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
A new regulation on the export of live elephants and body parts will be put into force soon to protect Thai pachyderms from illegal trading. Drafted by the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, the regulation is aimed at strengthening control on the export of elephants, particularly for entertainment purposes at foreign zoos. The new regulation follows last years controversial animal exchange programme under which the government sent eight elephants to Taronga zoo in Austral...
2007-08-18 - Meru, Kenya. Alexis Okeowo
Kenya has begun a great migration of 2,000 animals to a popular game park devastated by crime and poaching, wildlife officials have announced. In the 1970s Meru National Park, located in central Kenya, was "overrun" by bandits and poachers, leading to a drastic loss of wildlife, the officials said. Now the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is wrapping up a campaign begun in 2001 to repopulate the wildlife of the 1,930-square-mile (5,000-square-kilometer) park.
2007-08-18 - Burdwan, India.
Two wild elephants created a scare in West Bengal, as they frolicked in a river close to human habitation before vanishing back into the woods. The pachyderms, which presumably got separated from a heard migrating across the forest in Purulia district, were spotted frolicking in the Damodar River near Maithon dam in Burdwan district. The residents feared that the elephants might run over their fields and pull down their dwellings but the harmless animals made merry in the river waters before van...
2007-08-18 - Calgary, Canada. Suzanne Goldman
A nervous new mom is getting around-the-clock support from a team of dedicated zookeepers anxious to see Calgary's latest baby elephant form a tight bond with her hulking mama. Working in shifts, the group of eight charged with the calf's care have set up cots and air mattresses in order to stay in close contact with the animals. We're getting very tired," laughed elephant keeper Scott Russell. "It's a lot of work, absolutely.
2007-08-17 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Chamikara Weerasinghe
The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry has stepped up action to implement a pilot project to arrest the human-elephant conflict in Yala and Lunugamwehera through its recently established Elephant Conservation Trust Fund. Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that bureaucratic red tape had been overcome to carry out the project. The Government has decided to allocate Rs. 100 million to the fund from the Treasury to be returned once sufficient funds ar...
2007-08-17 - Bristol, United Kingdom.
Noahs Ark Zoo Farm has announced plans to introduce elephants, lions, zebras and bears to its collection of animals. The elephant enclosure will comprise seven acres of rich grassland, 7000 sq feet of heated housing plus an outdoor sandy area with a water pool, said owner Anthony Bush. Were looking to keep four elephants, three females and one male, who will hopefully breed and help the dwindling numbers of elephants in the wild.
2007-08-17 - Calgary, Canada.
Only a week old, and the Calgary Zoos latest edition is proved she will be a force to be reckoned with. The female baby elephant is healthy, fun and cute for being over three-hundred pounds. Head elephant keeper Bob Kam says all is well with both mother and child. He says the yet-to-be named pachyderm is fine when she has a full stomach. Kam says it will still be a while before Calgarians get to see the baby elephant, as she still needs to get a little closer to her mom. The last baby elephant b...
2007-08-17 - Godibari, India.
An elephant, after escaping from a sanctuary, went on rampage and died of chocking here on Friday. Motilal, a fifty-year-old trained elephant of the Chandaka sanctuary, situated about 10 kilometres from Bhubaneshwar, broke free from the sanctuary and went on a rampage at nearby Godibari village. This male elephant escaped from the sanctuary at midnight and entered in a nearby village. Two teams from our division followed him to avoid human casualties, but they failed to control him. Then we call...
2007-08-16 - Gauhati, India.
Two domesticated elephants went on a rampage through several villages in northeastern India, killing eight people and injuring five before being shot dead by police, officials said Thursday. Police were searching for the owners of the elephants and trying to establish what caused the violent behavior, rare among tamed elephants. Angry villagers protesting the lack of protection burned down the local forestry office. The rampage occurred Wednesday in an area bordering India's Assam and Mizoram st...
2007-08-16 - Guruvayur, India.
Tusker Keerthi owned by the Guruvayur Devaswom turned violent and killed its first mahout Gopalakrishnan, 45, of Changanassery at Chettuva near on Wednesday. The tusker had been taken to the Anayoottu ritual at the Ganesamangalam temple near Chettuva along with four other jumbos of the devaswom. Keerthi first attacked its second mahout Sadasivan of Ponnani on the way to Punnathur Anakotta. Sadasivan has been admitted to the West Fort Hospital, Thrissur. After the attack the tusker had turned cal...
2007-08-16 - New Delhi, India.
Wildlife groups have created individual photo identification cards for Asian elephants in southern India in a bid to help track the effects of poaching on wild elephant populations, conservationists said Thursday. By being able to specifically identify animals, researches get a better idea of elephant numbers and movements in an area. It can also help law enforcement in the event that an elephant carcass is discovered, said a statement from the New-York based Wildlife Conservation Society, which...
2007-08-16 - Augusta, United States. Rhonda Erskine
Thursday, a Cushing fisherman donated the mastodon tusk he found while dragging for scallops on Georges Bank to the Maine State Museum. Tim Winchenbach uncovered the tusk back in January. The tusk is a very rare find, and likely dates back more than 13,000 years. The museum has to do a lot of work to preserve it. The tusk is dark in color because of all the years it spent in salt water. It will be slowly dried out, so it doesn't fall apart, and then preserved.
2007-08-15 - Sydney, Australia. Kelly Burke
THE RSPCA has refused to release the results of its investigation into animal deaths at Taronga and Western Plains zoos. The investigation was ordered in June, after the deaths of a greater one-horned rhinoceros and a female African elephant. The RSPCA's chief inspector, David O'Shannessy, said yesterday that no action would be taken against the zoos because no evidence of cruelty had been found in the animals' veterinary records or in keeping standards.
2007-08-15 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
A renowned conservationist recounted on Wednesday how he and his friends narrowly escaped an attack by an enraged bull elephant. Lawrence Anthony and his two friends were on a night drive at Thula Thula Game Reserve near Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday night when the animal attacked them. He came at us from nowhere in a full-blooded charge, hammering the front of the Land Rover station wagon and driving us backwards into the bush for about twenty yards, said Anthony.
2007-08-15 - Stanford, United States. Bouley DM, Alarcón CN, Hildebrandt T, O'connell-Rodwell CE. Stanford University School of Medicine
Both Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants produce low-frequency, high-amplitude rumbles that travel well through the ground as seismic waves, and field studies have shown that elephants may utilize these seismic signals as one form of communication. Unique elephant postures observed in field studies suggest that the elephants use their feet to 'listen' to these seismic signals, but the exact sensory mechanisms used by the elephant have never been characterized.
2007-08-15 - London, United Kingdom.
Coral, ivory and snakeskin souvenirs brought home by unwitting British tourists are helping to push endangered species closer to extinction, environmental group WWF said on Thursday. British customs officials confiscated more than 163,000 illegal wildlife trade items during the last year, many made from endangered species, WWF said.
2007-08-14 - Pittsburgh, United States. Lillian Thomas
The man in charge of mowing the grass, building elephant breeding stalls and helping to raise a few million dollars for the Pittsburgh Zoo's new Somerset County facility has close ties to top management. Dayton Baker, husband of zoo president Barbara Baker, has been named farm manager for a former hunting ranch that's to become a breeding facility for African elephants, the zoo announced yesterday. The 724-acre International Conservation Center is to become home to up to 20 elephants.
2007-08-14 - Pretoria, South Africa.
South Africa has received the go-ahead to sell its stockpiled elephant ivory stocks to Japan, but has not done so because it is waiting for provinces to tell government how much they have for sale. “We are writing to the provinces to verify how much ivory... is in their possession, and come up with a total,” environmental affairs biodiversity and heritage chief director Leseho Sello told MPs on Tuesday.
2007-08-14 - Polk City, United States. Yi Suli
The Asian elephant is believed to be one of the most intelligent animals on Earth. It is also one of the most endangered. But a sanctuary in the southern state of Florida is hoping to save this large animal and ensure its existence for generations to come. For producer Yi Suli, VOA's Elaine Lu has more on the Center for Elephant Conservation.
2007-08-14 - Tshwane, South Africa. Shaun Benton
Culling elephants would only be considered as a last resort, after contraception or translocation, a senior official in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism told MPs on Tuesday. Leseho Sello, a chief director in the department, was briefing the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism on national norms and standards for management of elephants. Translocation and even contraception, she explained, are the preferred ways of managing South Africa's growing elephant po...
2007-08-14 - San Fransisco, United States.
Two animal rights activists today won a federal magistrate's recommendation that they be allowed to videotape animals being brought into the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Oakland Coliseum this week. U.S. Magistrate Edward Chen recommended that U.S. District Judge Marilyn Patel issue a preliminary injunction allowing the videotaping by Joseph Cuviello and Deniz Bolbol. The circus is holding performances at the Oracle Arena portion of the coliseum Aug. 16 through 19.
2007-08-13 - Guwahati, India.
Wild Asiatic elephants trampled to death four sleeping villagers of a family in Assam, the latest in a series of attacks on humans, wildlife officials said yesterday. A forest official said a herd of about a dozen elephants on Saturday entered Uttarkuchi village in Baksa district, about 90km west of Guwahati. "The elephants went berserk, smashed a village hut, and killed the entire family of four, including two children," the official said.
2007-08-13 - St. Louis, United States. Diane Toroian Keaggy
Construction workers, ballplayers and postal carriers: Don't complain to Bud about the heat. He lives and works in this weather 24 hours a day. Of course, as an African elephant, Bud is genetically built to handle 100-degree temperatures. Bud resides at Grant's Farm, where four times a day he demonstrates elephant behaviors to cheering kids. His reward: Kool-Aid and fruit frozen in a bucket.
2007-08-13 - Aberdare, Kenya.
OUR WALKING SAFARI Began with a comprehensive demonstration of how to behave when encountering wild animals, especially elephants. Elephants, we were informed, are among the world’s most potentially dangerous animals capable of crushing and killing any other land animal, from humans to lions and even rhinoceros. In addition, elephants can experience unexpected bouts of rage, and can be vindictive. “In case you encounter a rogue elephant, stand still and watch its ears. If they are out, chan...
2007-08-13 - Abilene, United States.
A stressed-out elephant that had been treated with the anti-anxiety drug Xanax died Monday morning at age 49 in Abilene Zoo in Texas, according to a media report. Tanzy was believed to have been the second oldest African elephant in North America, the Abilene Reporter-News reported. An elephants average lifespan is 33 years. In 2005 after zookeepers at the Abilene zoo noticed that Tanzy was grumpy and subdued, they started mixing Xanax into her feed twice a day, along with some ibuprofen to ease...
2007-08-12 - New Delhi, India. Mausam Sharma
Fortunes of mahouts all over the country may soon change if Project Elephant officials’ proposal of shifting elephants along with their mahouts to wildlife sanctuaries and parks across the country is accepted by the ministry of environment and forests. Project Elephant officials are brainstorming over the idea and will soon send an official proposal to the ministry. The director, Project Elephant, Mr AN Prasad said: Yes, we are contemplating a proposal to shift elephants and mahouts to wildlif...
2007-08-12 - Udhagamandalam, India.
As many as 12 tamed elephants have been shifted to the Theppakadu camp from the Bombax Elephant camp, following heavy rains and the overflowing of the Moyar river in the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctury area. With the new arrivals, there are now 24 elephants at the Theppakadu camp. The event turned out to be a reunion of the tamed elephants at the sanctuary with others when the outbreak of anthrax near the camp occurred some six months ago.
2007-08-12 - Dehradun, India.
After the decline in the tiger population, Uttarakhand has now reported a sharp drop of 10 per cent in the number of elephants, mainly tuskers, in the state. The latest census report of 2005-07 has revealed that the number has come down to 1,346 from 1,510 recorded two years ago. The population of elephants stood at 1,582 in 2003 which clearly indicates that the situation has worsened during the past four years. But the Uttarakhand Wildlife Department, which conducted the census, is not worried ...
2007-08-11 - Carlisle, United Kingdom.
ANNIE the Elephant packed her trunk but couldnt say goodbye to the Lake District. Thanks to the foot and mouth restrictions the 54-year-old veteran circus performer was stranded in the county. World-famous jumbo Annie, who has officially retired but still travels with the rest of the performers, had arrived in the South Lakes with the Bobby Roberts Circus on a leg of their latest tour of Cumbria and the UK. But when the restriction on the movements of animals came into force last week it was rea...
2007-08-11 - London, United Kingdom. Tom Tyler
The burgeoning field of animal studies has sought to address what Linda Kalof and Amy Fitzgerald call ‘the animal question’: how shall we ‘rethink, rebuild and recast our relationships with other animals’ in the light of this new research? Kalof and Fitzgerald present 35 carefully chosen texts. Especially intriguing entries include Pliny the Elder’s description of spontaneous popular protest against elephant slaughter in ancient Rome.
2007-08-10 - Jerusalem zoo, Israel. Benny Ziffer
It was a veritable human jungle at the Biblical zoo. Here was a plus-size American woman in a pink suit licking a diet popsicle and declaring aloud, "This is delicious." And in front of the elephant cage, a family of French Jews points to the elephantine turds floating on the water. The French word is the same in Hebrew, only the emphasis is on a different syllable.
2007-08-10 - Kaliningrad, Russian Federation.
Russian authorities rejected an international petition for an elephant being held in cramped conditions in Kaliningrad Zoo to be moved to the U.S., insisting the animal was in good health. The elephant was born at the Kaliningrad Zoo, in Russia's exclave on the Baltic, in 1970, and has lived there ever since. A spokesman for the local mayor's office said Friday: "Pregolja is the only Ceylon elephant in Russia, and this is one of the reasons why she will stay in the zoo," she said.
2007-08-10 - Madikeri, India.
A Gram Panchayat Secretary was seriously injured when a wild elephant attacked two people at Nanjarayapatna in this hilly district. The incident occurred last evening when Nellihudikeri Gram Panchayat Secretary B E Veeraraju and another person were walking home when a jumbo charged at them from behind the thick foliage of trees at once. While Mr Veeraraju was seriously injured when the pachyderm pierced its ivory into his stomach, the other person ran to safety in time. Thinking that he must be ...
2007-08-10 - Calgary, Canada. BILL KAUFMANN, SUN MEDIA
Zoo officials hope an elephant calf delivered yesterday wont meet the sad fate of an earlier newborn. Its hoped 17-year-old Maharani will bond with her 308-lb. daughter, nearly three years after the Asian elephant mom rejected infant Keeyama, which was suffering a digestive infection and died in December 2004. Mom and daughter are in isolation and the zoo's new Elephant Crossing complex is closed to the public, said Kevin Strange, manager of conservation and education. We're all holding our brea...
2007-08-10 - Gauhati, India.
Two wild elephants were killed when they were hit by a freight train in India's remote northeast Friday, officials said. The elephants were knocked down while crossing the tracks along with a herd of nearly 20 pachyderms near Gauhati, Assam's capital, said M.C. Malakar, the state's chief wildlife warden. An adult elephant and a calf took the maximum impact of the train and were killed, Malakar said. The train engine was derailed by the impact of the collision, said T. Rabha, a rai...
2007-08-10 - Pakenham, United Kingdom. LISA CLEVERDON
WITH their large ears, imposing frames and long trunks, Asian elephants are undoubtedly among the biggest and most majestic mammals in the world. So when Suffolk topiary expert Steve Manning was asked to make 12 life-size models of the creatures, it was little wonder he felt slightly daunted by the mammoth challenge. But six months later, Mr Manning is now the proud, albeit temporary owner, of his very own herd of Asian elephants made entirely from willow.
2007-08-09 - Emmen, Netherlands. Emmen Zoo News article
A female asian elephant calf was born yesterday to the bull Radza (imported 2003 from Riga Zoo) and the female Htoo Kin Aye from Burma. The baby was 80kgs, and already has a name; Swe Zin. During the latest 15 years Emmen Zoo had 17 elephant births.
2007-08-09 - Sabah, Malaysia.
A new WWF study tracking pygmy elephants by satellite shows that the remaining herds of these endangered elephants, which live only on the island of Borneo, are under threat from forest fragmentation and loss of habitat. Borneo pygmy elephants depend for their survival on forests situated on flat, low lands and in river valleys, the study found. Unfortunately, it is also the type of terrain preferred for commercial plantations.
2007-08-09 - Ulu Semong, Indonesia. EIKI YANO
Elephants are renowned for their gentle characters. But they become brutal under certain conditions. That is how 50-year-old Mujarianto, from the farming village of Ulu Semong on Sumatra Island, is likely to remember them for the remainder of his days. In late May, the coffee farmer fled his house with his eldest daughter, 17, as a herd of rampaging elephants stormed toward the cabin. But his 35-year-old wife and 3-year-old daughter were unable to escape. The elephants caught the pair with their...
2007-08-09 - New Bedford, United States. Lauren Daley
Attention art lovers: the latest Ruth and Emily originals will be released this weekend, and that new artist, Sally, is making her debut. That's Ruth and Emily the elephants and Sally the otter, of course. But the animals paintings are just a few of the items to be auctioned off at the Buttonwood Park Zoos eighth annual fundraiser, the Rock n Roar Gala, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. You'll even be greeted at the door by Ruth and Emily themselves.
2007-08-09 - Calgary, Canada. Laurie Herron, Media Relations, Calgary Zoo
Following a 22-month pregnancy, the Calgary Zoo’s 17-year-old Asian elephant Maharani delivered a female calf early this morning at 3:20 a.m. The newest member of the herd weighs 308 pounds, and sired by the bull Spike. Our elephant team has long-awaited the arrival of this baby, says Bob Kam, lead elephant keeper at the Calgary Zoo. Every Asian elephant born is significant in the conservation efforts to save these wonderful animals from extinction. Today we are very proud to be part of that g...
2007-08-09 - Anchorage, United States. Bianca Slota
The Alaska Zoo Board of Directors says financial concerns and weather will likely keep Maggie the elephant in Alaska until spring. The board met last night to hear recommendations from zoo staff about potential new homes for the elephant. The list of homes apparently includes a mix of five zoos, wildlife parks and animal sanctuaries. Zoo officials won't release the names or locations of potential new homes for Maggie, but says more work needs to be done before a move can happen.
2007-08-08 - Lampang, Thailand.
Her Majesty the Queen has donated Bt300,000 from her personal fund to assist a month-old elephant whose mother cannot produce milk at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) in Lampang's Hang Chat district. Her Majesty granted Bt300,000 to buy milk powder for the baby elephant. Donations for the baby elephant from the public had reached about Bt400,000. The TECC will hold a ceremony to receive the donation on Friday.
2007-08-08 - Louisville, United States. Britney Tabor
Elaney Pickering loves animals so much that she's been known to ask birthday party attendees to bring supplies for the Humane Society instead of gifts for her. She has a big heart for animals, said the 13-year-old's stepfather, John Conrad. Yesterday, that big heart brought Elaney from her home in Eudora, Kan., to the Louisville Zoo, where the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kentucky and Southern Indiana helped fulfill her wish of taking care of animals and visiting Louisville's new baby African eleph...
2007-08-08 - Dunstable, United Kingdom.
The Zoological Society of London is currently looking for an Elephant Keeper to join their world class Elephant Team based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. The successful candidate will: preferably have a proven track record of working with Elephants, Be familiar with all aspects of animal management. Have good communication skills.Be flexible and totally reliable, and be able to work effectively within a well disciplined team. Need a full driving licence.
2007-08-08 - Osaka, Japan. The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry is pondering whether to destroy or preserve 3 tons of smuggled ivory, an amount equal to the tusks of about 100 African elephants, seized by the Osaka Customhouse. As trade in ivory is prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Wild Fauna and Flora, informally known as the Washington Convention, smuggled ivory is usually incinerated. But the amount of ivory seized was so large that some officials at the ministry voiced o...
2007-08-08 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
A stalemate over the reserve price on more than two tonnes of ivory which was supposed to go under the hammer last week resulted in the auction being abandoned after the buyers decided not to take the available stocks. Those at the auction said buyers did not like the high reserve price, a minimum price, set by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. They said up to May the Parks Authority was selling a kilogramme for $225 000 and the price went up to $1 million in June.
2007-08-08 - Kampala, Uganda. Chris Ocowun
THE internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps bordering Murchison Falls National Game Park in Amuru district have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over the actions of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The IDPs want the authority to drive back the elephants that invaded their area. The locals said this in a meeting with the special presidential advisor for the north, Richard Todwong, last week. Todwong assessed the destruction caused by over 400 elephants that have invaded the vi...
2007-08-07 - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. TAN CHENG LI
By fingering differences in animals’ genetic make-up, wildlife scientists can establish the geographic boundaries of animal populations and determine migration patterns. In 2003, the elephant in Sabah was confirmed as a subspecies and named pygmy elephant. Mohd Farouk and colleagues are now analysing elephant dung provided by Perhilitan, which hopes to distinguish between various herds, their numbers and geographical origins.
2007-08-07 - Kolkata, India. Bappa Majumdar
Authorities in eastern India have dropped plans to set up two new elephant reserves, enraging conservationists who say the decision threatens wildlife and is aimed at helping mining firms operate in the area. "The area for the two proposed elephant reserves was too big and that was why we withdrew the proposals," said P.N. Padhi, a senior official in Orissa's forest and environment department. "Multi-nationals can now carry out mining easily and get all the environmental clearance without any im...
2007-08-07 - Ulster, Ireland. Victoria OHara
The USPCA last night confirmed they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an elephant which was part of a circus touring Ulster. It is understood Kenya, an African elephant, died from a heart attack after being harassed by dogs recently. It is unclear exactly where the incident occurred, but it is understood the animal died within the last two weeks. Mr Wilson said a post-mortem was carried out by a local vet after the elephant had died from a heart attack. "The explanati...
2007-08-07 - ASHEBORO, United States. Amy Guyer
Captive elephants are smart. But they aren't reproducing, and captive elephants are becoming extinct."We've been scratching our heads trying to (figure this out)," said Tom Gillespie, the North Carolina Zoo's public relations specialist. What the elephants needed was family. Six years and $8.5 million later, the plan is finally being realized. The expansion will be ready come spring 2008, and the zoo is in talks to bring in new elephants. If the zoo reaches its carrying capacity of 10 elephants,...
2007-08-07 - New York, United States. WILLARD SPIEGELMAN
Good things come in small packages, especially when they are made of ivory. "Incisive Images: Ivory and Boxwood Carvings, 1450-1800" (at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until Nov. 25) gathers about 100 exquisite postmedieval pieces from the museum's holdings, and displays them to advantage in beautifully lighted vitrines. Some of them, like the luxurious ivory, fruitwood and cane chair à la Chippendale, which belonged to Warren Hastings, India's first governor general (c. 1780), or the mid-17th-...
2007-08-06 - Lusaka, Zambia.
A 40-year-old man in Chiawa area of Zambia's Lusaka Province has been killed by an elephant. The incident happened Saturday morning when the man was in his maize field, reported Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) Sunday. Chieftainess in the area said the matter has been reported to Chirundu Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to trace the elephant. She appealed to the ZAWA head office to re-enforce wildlife personnel in Chiawa and crop the animals on the loose, said the report.
2007-08-06 - West Bengal, India. Soudhriti Bhabani
The unnatural death of 11 wild elephants within a span of three months in West Bengals northern region has left the state forest department stumped as the wildlife tragedy is being blamed on an increasing man-elephant conflict arising out of urban encroachment in forestlands. We are highly concerned about the frequent deaths of elephants in north Bengal forests and we have already taken necessary steps to find some solutions, West Bengal Chief Wildlife Warden V.K. Yadav told IANS.
2007-08-06 - New York, United States. Sewell Chan
A sculpture depicting a tearful elephant in chains that was designed in New York and became the center of a federal lawsuit in Washington was put on display in Union Square Park today, with the blessing of New York City officials. The fiberglass sculpture, Ella PhantzPeril, shows a circus elephant with its front left leg in shackles. In 2002, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal welfare group, tried to place the sculpture on view as part of the Party Animals exhibition, a summ...
2007-08-05 - Vienna, Austria.
The ICEE is a meeting for the exchange of ideas about both theoretical and applied research on enrichment for animals under human care. The conference is held every two years in internationally diverse locations. Deadline for the receipt of abstracts for paper, poster and video submissions is March 1, 2007. Authors will be notified of the results of the review process by April 1, 2007.
2007-08-05 - Stanford, United States. O'connell-Rodwell CE, Wood JD, Kinzley C, Rodwell TC, Poole JH, Puria S. Stanford University School of Medicine
In a series of experiments, familiar and unfamiliar alarm calls were transmitted seismically to wild African elephant family groups. Elephants respond significantly to the alarm calls of familiar herds (p=0.004) but not to the unfamiliar calls and two different controls, thus demonstrating the ability of elephants to discriminate subtle differences between seismic calls given in the same context. If elephants use the seismic environment to detect and discriminate between conspecific calls, based...
2007-08-05 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The conservation of a species necessitates the provision of all resources (habitat, security, food, water etc.) necessary to maintain a stable population into the long-term future. Conservation has two aspects; one is the protection of the species and the other, scientific management of the species and the resources necessary for its conservation. The continued existence of the Asian elephant in the wild is threatened not only by the actions of some but also due to others not taking any action.
2007-08-05 - Kandy, Sri Lanka.
These are the first pictures of the two tuskers gifted by the Government of Myanmar to the Government of Sri Lanka, with the Myanmar Ambassador and veterinarian Dr. Kmin Maung Tsu of the Myanmar Forestry Ministry. President Mahinda Rajapaksa inspected the two tuskers and fed them when they were brought to the Janadhipathi Mandiraya in Kandy about two weeks ago. The official handing over of the two tuskers would be on the last day of the Perahera or on the following day. The elephant keeper from ...
2007-08-05 - Portsmouth, United States. Ellen Albanese
Green Animals Topiary Garden is remarkable in the degree to which it reflects the vision of the Portuguese immigrant who designed it more than 100 years ago. There are 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including 21 animals and birds in addition to geometric figures and ornamental designs, all sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. The oldest part of the garden features an elephant, camel, lion, and giraffe, all planted from 1910 to 1912. Gardener Joseph Carreiro, s...
2007-08-05 - Lucknow, India. Shailvee Sharda
Meet Sumit, a 40-year old elephant and his 50-year old mahaout-friend Kishen. When Kishen walked down the railway track opposite Sumit's enclosure, he started swinging his trunk in excitement. "Kaisa hai tu..ha?" asked Kishen patting his back. The animal saluted his friend trunk-up, telling he was fine. Kishen asked "Khana khayega??" and Sumit shook his head and blew its trumpet crying with authority 'yes I am hungry'. The conversation went on till Sumit's stomach was full. "I have known him for...
2007-08-05 - London, United States. Greg Struthers
Indias cricketers were without a victory in England for 39 years when they started their seventh visit in the summer of 1971. Then they brought an elephant to the match and won. Bella, a three-year-old Asian elephant from Chessington Zoo in Surrey, took to the field wearing a white cap with the words “Chessington Zoo XI”. It proved a good omen. India bowled over the home side in the afternoon and went on to record their first victory in England. Bella was born in the wild in 1968. Chessingto...
2007-08-05 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
Faced with criticism for withdrawing proposals of two new elephant reserves, the State Government has tried to put up a brave face by going on record that it had already prepared a master plan to protect the jumbos. The plan, according to Forest Department, has been placed before the Centre for its approval. There is, however, more to it than meets the eye. The Rs 52-crore master plan that the Forest Department is talking about now is actually an Elephant Management Plan the Wildlife Wing had pr...
2007-08-04 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Representatives of four Southern African countries who were given the nod to conduct a one-off sale of stocked ivory during the 14th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species conference will next week converge in Pretoria, South Africa, to map modalities on how the sales will be conducted. The countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, won the right to conduct a one-off sale mainly to Japan during the Cites meeting that was held in The Hague, the Netherlands, in June ...
2007-08-04 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
A week after withdrawing a proposal for setting up of two elephant reserves, the Orissa government has prepared a master plan for protection of the pachyderm population in the state. "We have chalked out a Rs 52 crore master plan for protection of elephants. The state government has sent it for the Centre's approval," said Forest Department Special Secretary Priyanath Padhi.
2007-08-04 - Dublin, Ireland.
I was born at the Dublin Zoo on 9 May, 2007. My wonderful keepers tell me that I am the first elephant ever born in the Republic of Ireland. My timing was perfect as I get to stomp around the new Kaziranga Forest Trail with the rest of my ‘family’ Bernhardine, Yasmin and Anak. The problem is: I still don’t have a name. So I need your help. Find out details for the ‘Name the Baby Elephant (me!)’ contest below and check out my baby photos and video of my birth. Send me your suggestion fo...
2007-08-04 - Jalpaiguri, India.
At least three rhinoceroses and 30 elephants have been causing havoc in the Jadavpur tea garden in Jalpaiguri district, destroying tea bushes. The animals have put a complete stop to work in the garden as panicked workers refused to report for duty, the manager of the tea garden, Pradip Ghosh said today. More than 200 tea bushes have been destroyed by the frenzied herd of elephants in the garden, which is located close to the Gorumara National Park, Ghosh said.
2007-08-04 - Rebecca O'Halloran, United States.
They are similar in appearance, but mammoths had tusks that grew downward and feasted on plants at ground level, according to experts at Friday's dig. The mastodon, which weighed about four to six tons, had upward tusks and usually found its meals in the trees, said Jessie Dorsz, 17, a senior at Bartlett High School. The extinct relative of the elephant existed from about 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago, according to The Field Museum.
2007-08-03 - Givskud, Denmark. Dan Koehl
BonsRee died on friday 13th of June, probably of Cerebral hemorrhage during anesthesia for a foot operation. Bons Ree was Denmarks oldest elephant, and the last animal with origin from Vejle Zoo, from where the founder of Givskude Zoo Jacob Hansen, moved his animal collection in 1971. The oldest danish elephant in Denmark is now the 48 year old breeding bull Chieng Mai in Copenhagen Zoo.
2007-08-03 - Melbourne, Australia. Chee Chee Leung
IT'S a big job but someone's got to do it. Melbourne scientists are to run DNA tests on elephant dung sent from Cambodia to help work out numbers and monitor wild populations in the formerly war-torn nation. Rangers have collected almost 600 elephant dung samples from the Cardamom Mountains in the country's south-west, a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. The specimens have been packed in test tubes and are due to arrive next month in Melbourne, where they will be analysed by biologists at Wa...
2007-08-03 - London, United Kingdom.
A gun used to kill more than a thousand African elephants has sold for £66,000 at auction in London. The .577 double-barrelled rifle was used by infamous professional hunter James Sutherland to claim the tusks of 1,200 bull elephants on his safaris in Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda. His book, The Adventures Of An Elephant Hunter, published in 1912, painted hunting as an impossibly glamorous adventure.
2007-08-03 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tamed Elephant Owners Association laments that the number of tamed elephants have dropped gradually. The Association figures point out that only 137 tamed elephants are now in the country. About 110 of them are over 50 years of age. There are only 18 tuskers among them and seven belong to the sacred Temple of Tooth in Kandy. The Secretary of the Tamed Elephant Owners Association Damsiri Karunarathna says that the number of tamed elephants did not increase after the licenses to capture ...
2007-08-03 - Dallas, United States. NANCY CHURNIN
With its new show, Circus of Dreams, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the last bastion of busy-is-better, has reinvented itself as a single-stage Cirque du Soleil for the kiddie channel, complete with a giant circular high-definition screen suspended so audiences can alternately see close-ups of the action, pre-filmed skits including backstage mayhem and elephant commentary on "those cute little humans." And the appreciative crowd of light-twirling kids liked what they saw on opening night at...
2007-08-02 - Kolkata, India. Marcus Dam
The death of an adult female elephant from suspected electrocution in the Gorubathang area of West Bengal’s Kalimpong subdivision early on Wednesday has raised questions over the efficacy of joint-monitoring by officials of the State’s Forest and Power Departments against illegal methods employed by locals to prevent depredation and elephant attacks in the region. An average of 50 persons die each year in elephant-human conflicts in north Bengal — among the highest in the country.
2007-08-02 - Jharkhand, India.
Thursday 02nd of August 2007 Juhi and Anarkali dislike being overworked. They also loathe going out in the noon or in the afternoon. Faced with the recalcitrance, the bosses of these two female elephants are feeling helpless. Any remonstrance meets with a resounding shriek and stamping off the feet. Such disobedience has not gone down well with the authorities of the Betla National Park. But they do not know how to deal with these disobeying elephants, who take tourists on a ride at the sanctuar...
2007-08-02 - St. Louis, United States.
One of the St. Louis Zoo's most popular occupants celebrates her first birthday today. The Asian elephant Maliha was 341 pounds at birth on August second of last year. Now, she weighs 720 pounds. Keepers will chat with visitors from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in front of the center yard at the River's Edge area of the zoo. The birthday girl herself is expected to be available for viewing during much of the day. Maliha is the second baby born to Ellie and the first to proud papa Raja, who was the...
2007-08-02 - Los Angeles, United States.
A history of abuse and neglect at the Los Angeles Zoo resulted in the premature death of 13 elephants, actor Robert Culp and another man claimed in a lawsuit filed today seeking to close the facility. In the lawsuit filed against the zoo and city of Los Angeles, Culp and real estate agent Aaron Leider accuse zoo officials of abusing elephants by withholding medical care, keeping the animals confined in a small area and using bull hooks and electric shock to control them.
2007-08-02 - Dallas, United States.
Nicole, an Asian Elephant from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, enjoyed the pampered life Wednesday in preparation of her Dallas debut. The circus, performing the 136th edition of The Greatest Show on Earth, runs through Aug. 12 at American Airlines Center. An avocado facial, pedicure and bath for an elephant from Bliss Spa: if we could all be so lucky.
2007-08-01 - Kolkata, India.
An elephant was electrocuted Wednesday in a north Bengal tea garden after it touched a live wire with its trunk, forest officials told the Indo-Asian News Service. A herd of 15 to 20 elephants wandered into the tea garden at Jalpaiguris Malbazar, about 370 miles from Kolkata, looking for food, when one that strayed from the herd felt a live wire with its trunk and died instantly, reported the news service.
2007-08-01 - Washington, United States.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved the re-authorization for an additional five years of conservation programs for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinos and tigers. The Senate Committee adopted H.R. 465 and H.R. 50, which were passed by the House of Representatives on July 23. There were no amendments and the two bills are expected to be adopted by the Senate by unanimous consent and then head to the President’s desk for signature.
2007-08-01 - Erzurum, Turkey. Demir Y, Nadaroðlu H, Demir N. Faculty of Education Atatürk University
Four isoenzymes of carbonic anhydrase (CA) were purified from Elephas Irogontherii (steppe elephant) bone (approx 0.3-0.5 million years old) from different locations (outer peripheral, cytosolic, inner peripheral and integral) using Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine sulphanilamide affinity chromatography and their kinetics properties were investigated and compared with known CA isoenzymes. The purification degree of CAs was monitored by SDS-PAGE. Purification fold for outer peripheral, inner peripheral, c...
2007-07-31 - Pernem, India.
The Forest Department has failed to drive out the elephants, which have strayed into the State, to Maharashtra as the four tuskers are still seen around Khutwal village of Pernem taluka, destroying paddy fields and plantation. A small group of men, using firecrackers, drums and other percussion instruments, have been trying to drive out the animals without any success, for the last four days.
2007-07-31 - Vallejo, United States. MATTHIAS GAFNI and J.M. BROWN
City Manager Joe Tanner decided late Monday night that Vallejo cannot afford to exclude four elephants from todays sale of Discovery Kingdom to Six Flags. Tanner met for two hours Monday with animal rights activists, who asked him to remove the elephants, long owned by the city, based on allegations that the park has treated the animals inhumanely.
2007-07-30 - Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nepal's dwindling population of endangered Asian elephants, already under threat from expanding human settlements, is faced with danger from tuberculosis, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said Monday. The warning came during a workshop on 'Disease Diagnosis and Treatment of Elephants' attended by experts from several national and international organizations working for the protection of the animals.
2007-07-30 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The animal, whose name is Chooti Mahattaya, meaning Little Master, damaged a pair of three-wheeler taxis bringing traffic, and the festivities to an abrupt halt after something in the crowd disturbed him. As hundreds watched him, the 3m (10ft) beast then set off down the road with a team of mahouts – elephant drivers giving chase. However, Chooti proved to be no Dumbo, slinking off to the shops to try to get them off his tail in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
2007-07-30 - Bamondangi, India. Pinakpriya Bhattacharya & Prithvijit Mitra
Her cries pierced the morning air in Bamondangi forest. As villagers peeped out of their homes in fear, the mammoth animal appeared from behind the trees and bushes, hobbling on three legs and desperately trying to keep moving. It kept lashing its trunk on the ground in pain. After struggling for more than an hour, it collapsed and bled to death. A few miles away, her death was ‘avenged'. The dead elephant's herd - at least a dozen of them also bleeding from bullet injuries - went berserk in a...
2007-07-29 - Jalpaiguri, India.
At least 33 houses were damaged by an elephant herd at Turturi in Dooars area of Jalpaiguri district triggering panic in the area. The pachyderms, which strayed into human habitation for the past seven days after dusk, devoured paddy resulting heavy loss to standing crops, official sources said. The herd damaged 19 houses in the labourer settlement of Chuniajhora Tea Estate alone.
2007-07-29 - Guruvayoor, India.
After a month-long rejuvenation treatment during the monsoon, 64 elephants of the Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayoor, are all set to take up their various tasks at the shrine. The elephants have to perform various rituals in the temple every day including 'seeveli' (the temple idol placed atop the pachyderm and taken round the shrine). At least five elephants are deputed for the temple tasks everyday.
2007-07-28 - Kolkata, India.
Minister in-charge of the state forest department (SFD) Ananta Roy, in the state Assembly on Friday said that 48 people were killed during elephant attacks in the state in 2006. The figures re-confirm the growing human-animal conflict in in the state. Roy further said that at present, a compensation of Rs 4,000 per hectare is paid for damage done to crops by elephants. Rs 50,000 is offered as compensation for death due to elephant attack.
2007-07-27 - Hyderabad, India.
It maybe just another walk for Vanaja, a forty-year-old elephant that has seen many a procession since the last three years. But with the Bonalu procession day drawing nearer, officials are a worried lot. Vanaja, which participated in the Moharrum procession last year, got a little panicky causing alarm among the processionists and officials. Mahouts are sparing no efforts to train Vanaja not to react in different situations. For the past few months, special efforts are being made to get it accu...
2007-07-27 - Cachar, India.
Indian police have shot dead two elephants after they rampaged through villages in northeast India killing eight people and injuring nine. The elephants, used for moving logs in the timber industry, ran amok in Cachar district in Assam state, destroying dozens of bamboo and straw houses. Villagers say the animals destroyed whatever was in their way, either trampling people or dashing them to the ground with their trunks.
2007-07-26 - Mumbai, India. Nitya Kaushik
The Forest department on Tuesday decided to ban elephants on the city roads, ‘confiscate’ them from their owners and order the latter to leave the city precincts with immediate effect. However, with no strategy in place, no rescue or rehabilitation centres, and no sanctuary in the city to send the animals to, the ban appears headed nowhere.
2007-07-26 - Ahmedabad, India.
The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Cept) is planning a brand new house for Ashok and Roopa. Like their friends Ganesh, Raja, Seema, Danny and others, these two teenagers too will be proud owners of a sprawling one-acre estate soon. Ashok (17) and Roopa (15) are elephants at the Kamla Nehru Zoo in Kankaria. Ever since they were brought to Ahmedabad from Banerghatta National Park in Karnataka in 1992, they have lived separately in modest houses of 225 sq ft, having merely enough...
2007-07-26 - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Patrick Kisembo, Judica Tarimo
Police in Dar es Salaam are holding a person they say was found in possession of 223 elephant tusks. Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Jamal Rwambow yesterday named the man as Hamidu Hassan, saying the arrest was made on Tuesday at Kimara Kirungule on the city`s western outskirts. The development came as legislators now assembled in Dodoma for the National Assembly`s annual Budget meeting spat fire over reports of gross violation of hunting laws by both Tanzanians and foreigners and called for...
2007-07-25 - Silchar, India. Partha Sarkar
Eight persons, including five women died on the spot when two domesticated elephants attacked their houses yesterday night at Hawaitang , Tulatal, Bagawala , Kooliechera and Siggarbasti, which are located atleast 40 kms away from the city. The area falls under the reserve forest of Dholai Range. Irate local residents in the meatime torched the Hawaitang Forest Beat Office today afternoon.
2007-07-24 - Grevena, Greece.
The remains of a prehistoric mastodon have been found in northern Greece, including intact long tusks. A Dutch scientist at the site, Dick Mol, says the find near Grevena should help explain why mastodons died out in Europe two to three million years ago. The mastodon's tusks measure 5m (16.5ft) and 4m, Mr Mol told the BBC. They are the longest tusks ever found on a prehistoric elephant-like animal. "It is spectacular," Mr Mol said.
2007-07-24 - Meru, Kenya.
For many years, now just memories, the Meru National Park, was the gem that attracted tourists to the Mt Kenya Circuit. But poaching and virtual neglect turned the park into a desolate place and a trap to any would-be visitor. the park had lost all that glory for years including the 3,000 elephants that roamed it. It is a great triumph to see the park restocked with elephants in one of the largest translocations in the region and branded to start business. Also encouraging is the interest that i...
2007-07-24 - Cleveland, United States.
Martika, Moshi and Jo were born in the African wilds, but they've grown close to Meghan Sharp, the keeper who welcomed all three to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 10 years ago. They have even noticed her life milestones. Sharp relates some striking examples. Martika, age 23 You'd think a huge elephant wouldn't be enamored by a teensy diamond ring, but "When I came back from my wedding and honeymoon after two weeks off, Martika went immediately for my ring with her trunk. She was fascinated.
2007-07-24 - Leipzig, Germany. Nadin Rohland, Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas,Joshua L. Pollack2, Montgomery Slatkin, Paul Matheus, Michael Hofreiter
We have sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the extinct American mastodon (Mammut americanum) from an Alaskan fossil that is between 50,000 and 130,000 y old, extending the age range of genomic analyses by almost a complete glacial cycle. The sequence we obtained is substantially different from previously reported partial mastodon mitochondrial DNA sequences. By comparing those partial sequences to other proboscidean sequences, we conclude that we have obtained the first sequence of m...
2007-07-24 - Anchorage, United States. LESLIE ANNE JONES
Alaska Zoo officials say they continue to narrow down possible new homes for Maggie. They won't name the contenders, but one sanctuary run by the PAWS foundation and known to be under consideration has offered to foot the shipping bill for the zoo's only elephant. Zoo director Pat Lampi said he's looking for the best possible place that can care for Maggie for the rest of her life. He's asked the places under consideration for daily-life video footage of their elephants, financial records and th...
2007-07-24 - Leipzig, Germany.
Scientists say they have calculated the date at which the African and the Asian elephant went their separate ways. The two elephant species diverged from a common ancestor some 7.6 million years ago, experts working in the US, Germany and Switzerland say. They came to their conclusion after comparing a genetic analysis of the two species with material derived from the extinct woolly mammoth and mastodon.
2007-07-24 - Stockholm, Sweden. Dan Koehl
The Elephant News archive has now over 2 500 articles in the database (Some of the original articles already deleted at the origial website) which you can search through from the searchfield in the upper left corner. You can even search the database from YOUR website, placing a searchbox there. Make use of the resource!
2007-07-23 - Izmir, Turkey.
The elephant Pak Bahadýr at the Izmir Municipality Kulturpark Zoo died while undergoing an operation on his foot and leg. One Turkish and two German experts conducted the operation. Unfortunately the old elephant's heart could not handle the pressure. Sabah daily said the elephant had arrived from Pakistan in 1954 and had become the symbol of the city.
2007-07-22 - London, United Kingdom. Will Iredale
Scientists have worked out part of the genetic structure of the mastodon, a giant primitive elephant, after finding DNA preserved in the fossilised tooth of a beast that died up to 130,000 years ago. The creature is thought to have roamed the forests and plains of North America before dying and sinking into a swamp that preserved its tissues. The information obtained has shed new light on the ancestry of mastodons and mammoths, both now extinct, as well as on the origins of the three surviving e...
2007-07-22 - Thrissur, India.
Forest Minister Binoy Viswam said that a proposal to stipulate the retirement age for domesticated elephants and rehabilitate them in natural setting was under consideration of the state government. The Minister said that the government of Sri Lanka had implemented such a programme some years back and the centre where the aged elephants were rehabilitated in a natural setting had now become a major attraction for eco-tourists.
2007-07-22 - Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Pushpakumara Jayaratne
A mahout at the annual Dalada Poson Perehera in Kurunegala was injured last Friday night when he was attacked by one of three elephants who ran amok. The victim has been admitted to Kurunegala base hospital. Two of the elephants belonged to the Dalada Maligawa while the third belonged to the Etkanda Viharaya in Kurunegala. Hospitals sources said the condition of the mahout was not serious and he had been attacked by one of the Maligawa elephants. As a result of the incident a commotion ar...
2007-07-22 - Springfield, United States. Dirk VanderHart
Dickerson Park Zoo held its first-ever ZooFest on Saturday. The centerpiece of the day was the birthday girl Nisha, who turned 1 on Wednesday. In spite of the festivities, the 1-year-old elephant just meandered near her mother like always, oblivious to the frequent "happy birthday" wishes of young children. Nisha might not have realized the party was in her honor, but she probably did notice a change in diet Saturday. In the elephant pen, the pachyderms roamed with trunks stained red, a memento ...
2007-07-22 - Goshen, United States. Brian Hallenbeck
When they're not on the road, Bob Commerfords exotic animals roam over 40 rolling acres here in Litchfield County, grazing, strutting, plodding, as the case may be, characters in an unfettered menagerie, seemingly at peace with their surroundings and their human handlers. The elephants, Commerford has had as many as four at one time and six altogether, have long been the stars of his R.W. Commerford & Sons Traveling Petting Zoo. He aims to keep it that way, to preserve, he says, the business hes...
2007-07-22 - Dallas, United States. KATIE MENZER
When the dog won't hunt, the bird won't spread its wings or the elephant won't get on the scale for a weigh-in, the Dallas Zoo calls Barbara Heidenreich. The nationally recognized animal trainer has worked with Disney World's Animal Kingdom theme park, Six Flags and the Birds of the World Show at the State Fair of Texas. Now a consultant at the Dallas Zoo, she's helping teach old zoo animals – from the rats to the red-tailed hawks – some new tricks."The science of behavior analysis is the sa...
2007-07-22 - Ndola, Zambia.
THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a Lebanese for unlawful possession of 55 pieces of elephant tusks and 58 rounds of ammunition. DEC public relations and Press liasion officer, Rosten Chulu said Reda Khalil Fadlallal, 65, of flat L8, Lubambe Centre in Parklands, Kitwe, was arrested after a tip-off from members of the public. The suspect was allegedly caught with 55 pieces of ivory weighing an estimated value of K310 million and 58 rounds of ammunition.
2007-07-21 - Taiping, Malaysia. CHAN AH LAK
I decided to pay a visit to have a closer look at this elephant. In the stall, not accessible to the public, a surprise awaited me. A female baby elephant, just a few days old, was trailing her mother. The proud mother, Jalung, allowed us to get close to her first calf and showed none of the bull elephant’s animosity. The newborn, Tepeng, was a picture of health as she followed her mother, occasionally suckling. She had a shoulder height of 90cm and weighed a hefty 90kg. This was not surprisi...
2007-07-21 - Guwahati, United States. PULLOCK DUTTA
Naga hoodlums are allegedly letting loose herds of wild elephants to scare away Assam villagers from their land and property in the disputed area in Sivasagar district along the Assam-Nagaland border. So much so that the Assam forest department has lodged a formal complaint with the Nagaland government to “stop the hoodlums” from disturbing the wild elephant herds at Geleki reserve forest, which straddles both sides of the border. Amal Sharma, divisional forest officer of Sivasagar, told The...
2007-07-21 - Detroit, United States. TINA LAM
The debate in 2004 over where the Detroit Zoo's aging elephants belonged got zoo Director Ron Kagan who said elephants shouldn't be kept in cold-weather zoos into trouble with a national zoo organization and with a colleague from another zoo who hit him during a professional meeting, according to documents obtained by the Free Press. Kagan was suspended for three months for violating an ethics rule of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association after he issued a news release saying he intended to ...
2007-07-21 - Bhubaneswar, India.
A state still struggling to strike a balance between industrialisation and ecology has witnessed a rise in the number of elephants even in the face of intense mining and deforestation activities. Add to that the growing menace of poaching. The latest elephant census has put the total number of elephants in Orissa at 1862. In 2002, when the last comprehensive census was carried out, their number stood at 1841. According to a WWF report, the elephant sex ratio in India varies from 1:26 to 1:46, an...
2007-07-21 - Mysore, India.
A male orphaned elephant calf, aged about 25 days, was received by Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore on July 7. The calf was rescued from the flood waters at Dabbadka stream in Sampaje Range of Madikeri Forest Division. The calf is responding to treatment and hand-rearing methods. Except for some minor ailments the calf is healthy. Since the elephant is very young, the prognosis is for the next two months. Maximum efforts have been initiated towards hand-rearing of the elephant calf, ...
2007-07-21 - Bangkok, Thailand.
An angry circus elephant in eastern Thailand grabbed a man who had provoked him and then stomped on him until he was fatally injured, police said Saturday. Surat Kaenthip, a 30-year-old air conditioner repairman, had hit the six-year-old elephant while he was resting in an open field Friday in Rayong province, 140 kilometers (90 miles) east of Bangkok, said police Lt. Col. Thanit Saeniwong na Ayuddhaya. "The elephant then grabbed the man's body with his trunk and hurled him on to the ground befo...
2007-07-21 - Kitwe, Zambia.
A Lebanese has been arrested in Zambia for unlawful possession of 55 pieces of elephant tusks worth nearly 80,000 U.S. dollars and 58 rounds of ammunition, Times of Zambia reported Saturday. The 65-year-old Lebanese was arrested in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province after a tip-off and then handed over to the Zambia Wildlife Authority for prosecution, Rosten Chulu, public relations and press liaison officer of the Drug Enforcement Commission, was quoted as saying.
2007-07-20 - Mombasa, Kenya. Patrick Beja
Elephants have migrated near Kinondo and Chale beaches on Mombasa’s South Coast, causing panic among residents. Fishermen have been forced to suspend night expeditions for fear of being attacked. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) says it has not confirmed where the elephants came from. The animals have been roaming on the white beaches on the area dotted with luxury cottages. KWS Coast Assistant Director, Mr Philip Mwakio, said the animals arrived about three weeks ago. Mwakio said it was difficult...
2007-07-20 - Oklahoma City, United States. Brian Brus
Oklahoma City Zoo Executive Director Bert Castro believes offering the public the opportunity to perform a little sweaty work is an excellent way for people to appreciate what it takes to keep their zoo operating. Weve got two elephants and they probably generate half a ton of manure a day, said Castro, who began his own zoo career with a shovel in hand. Just to keep the area clean and the exhibit in good working order is a big job. … We try to have fun with it, and as they’re going through ...
2007-07-20 - Perth, Australia.
City Beach woman Janet Thomas is launching a campaign to better the lives of animals in a run-down zoo in Egypt. She has already persuaded keepers to unchain an elephant, Kareema, she says was tethered for show in a concrete cage for 35 years. Janet, a teacher, said she was appalled by the state of the animals and the conditions they lived in at the zoo in Alexandria. She was teaching English at a language school when friends told her about the zoo. In its heyday, Janet said, the zoo had been re...
2007-07-20 - Etosha, Namibia. Scott Calvert
The huge bull elephant nicknamed "Marlon Brando" loped over to the water hole, big ears flapping in the breeze. Buried in the sandy soil nearby, switched off at the moment, sat a device probably never before known in this remote stretch of southwest African wilderness: the same kind of ButtKicker subwoofer that gives many American home theaters their bone-rattling shake. Here, the device has led to groundbreaking discoveries about how Brando and his kind communicate. Not only can elephants find ...
2007-07-20 - Aiken, United States. TONY BAUGHMAN
The biggest star in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is so big, he won't even fit in the new USC Aiken Convocation Center. Circus handlers have discovered that the Gold Unit's 23-year-old Asian elephant is just too tall for the arena's 10-foot-high service entrances. Thus, when the "Greatest Show on Earth" opened Thursday night, the 11-foot-tall pachyderm found himself standing outside.
2007-07-19 - Osnabrück, Germany. Dan Koehl
Sikkim is dead. The elephant cow, which was confiscated from Circus Giovanni Althoff in 2003, was euthanised on tuesday. The apr. 30 year old african elephant was suffering from cronic joint problems, which gave her a lot of pain, and reduced her movements. Her last years with the herd in Osnabrück Zoo in Lower Saxony gave her social comfort, but in the end not even painkillers could reduce her pain.
2007-07-19 - SILIGURI, India.
An elephant calf was found dead on the bank of the Reti river at Dalgaon in the Dooars today. Locals spotted the two-year-old female calf lying by the Reti riverbed early this morning and intimated the forest officials. Officials from the Dalgaon forest range rushed to the spot and they later declared the calf dead after a thorough check-up. Later, with assistance from the state veterinary department, forest officials conducted a postmortem of the carcass.
2007-07-19 - Chandigarh, India.
After a lull of two years, the Chhatbir Zoo witnessed the birth of a baby elephant, Rajveer, in the wee hours of Thursday. The baby elephant was born to Hema and Rajmangal at 2.10 am. According to the zoo authorities, Hema had a normal delivery and the baby weighed 103 kg at birth. It was born after a gestation period of 22 months and nine days, a delay of nine days. Rajveer is the second elephant ever to have been born at Chhatbir zoo after Seema, his sister, who was born in 2000. However, Seem...
2007-07-18 - Heidelberg, Germany.
You have at least five years of experience working with elephants hands on. You have experience with health care, enrichment, and training of elephants. You are willing to work with elephants in protected contact as well. You are determined curious to shape and train our team in cooperation with our elephant program advisor Alan Roocroft. You are a team player, reliable, hard working and looking to work in a zoo where you can influence development.
2007-07-18 - Sydney, Australia.
Since Steve Irwins death, Bindi, her younger brother Bob and mum Terri have spent less than half of their time in Australia Zoo. Terri is particularly proud of the enormous elephant quarters called Elephantasia at Australia Zoo, which opened at Christmas. They now house three Asian elephants which can swim completely submerged underwater.
2007-07-18 - Jashpurnagar, India. Ajay Sharma
Driven to desperation by the frequent intrusion of elephants from forest areas in Jharkhand and Orissa, residents of over 100 villages in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur District are having sleepless nights over fears of another jumbo attack. Another 32 villages in Raigarh, Sarguja and Korba Districts are also at the mercy of these marauding pachyderms. Irrespective of day or night, these elephants tend to storm villages and catch villagers off guard.
2007-07-18 - Siliguri, India.
Villagers alerted forest officials this morning seeing the baby being split from elders by the Balason near Marianbarie Tea Estate. The baby was sent to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, about 140km away, escorted by a veterinary surgeon. It would be kept at the pilkahana — where trained elephants are housed.
2007-07-17 - Stockholm, Sweden. Dan Koehl
Started in 1995, the elephant database had a slow start, but after intensive work this spring and summer it now contains over 3000 elephants from more than 800 location facilities from over 75 countries all over the world, ranging from Charlemagnes elephant Abul-Abbas in 802, to the latest births and deaths. Theres also graphical statistics and generation pedigree-tables.
2007-07-17 - ST. CHARLES, United States. GLORIA CARR
Bill Morris inherited Cora from his father, who owned 19 elephants at one time back in the 1960s when he ran a circus. The younger Morris' grandfather had seven elephants in the 1920s. The Morrises provide an educational program aimed at teaching people, among other things, the difference between African and Asian elephants. He also shows people how intelligent Cora and Shannon are. For example, they both play a musical instrument. The fair provides a rare opportunity for people to get close to ...
2007-07-17 - Ayrshire, United Kingdom.
The last touring elephant in Britain has been banned from the big tent in Ayrshire after animal campaigners raised objections. Anne, who is aged 54 and suffers from arthritis, is believed to be one of the oldest elephants in Europe. East Ayrshire Council agreed with the Bobby Roberts Super Circus that Anne would not be used for commercial purposes during the run in Kilmarnock. Animal rights campaigners welcomed the decision.
2007-07-17 - Thrissur, India.
A hugely revered temple in southern India rested its herd of elephants from daily duties to give them a month-long restorative treatment. Vadakkunathan Temple at Trissur in southern Kerala has 45 jumbos, which are normally used for temple rituals. But during the Malayalam month of Karkidakom, when all temple festivals are over, these elephants are given a month-long restorative treatment called Aanayoottu (feeding the elephants).
2007-07-17 - Nairobi, Kenya.
Vice President Moody Awori says Kenya will continue to oppose the trade in ivory products as a means to conserve the dwindling elephant population. Mr. Awori noted that in the past the elephant population in the country stood at about 100, 000, regretting that the number had since reduced to about 30,000 only. He said that to demonstrate its commitment to fight poaching and illegal ivory trade, Kenya burned thousands of ivory worth US $50 million that were confiscated from poachers.
2007-07-17 - Aiken, United States. MEGAN ELLIOTT
A gentle giant will roam through the USC Aiken Convocation Center's main arena with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The elephant is a 23-year-old Asian male. He works closely with his trainer, Patty Zerbini. The elephant is a product of the Ringling Brothers Center for Elephant Conservation, which is located in Polk County, Fla. The center is dedicated to the preservation of the Asian elephant as an endangered species. There are only 35,000 Asian elephants left in the world.
2007-07-17 - BANGALORE, India.
A farmer was trampled to death by an elephant near Sathnur in Kanakapura taluk of Bangalore Rural district in the early hours of Monday. The police said that around 6.30 a.m. Range Gowda, 50, was working on his farm at M.T. Doddi, 5 km from Sathnur. An elephant strayed into the farm and trampled him, killing him on the spot, the police said. Later, the elephant destroyed crops in adjoining fields. People from the village burst firecrackers and beat drums and chased the elephant into the adjoinin...
2007-07-17 - Houston, United States.
If you’ve ever remodeled your home while you lived in it you’ll have a pretty good idea of what we’re doing with our elephant exhibit at the Houston Zoo. Construction is now underway on the most significant improvement to our elephant exhibit in the 85-year history of the Zoo, the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. The expansion will be built in two phases. Phase One, a $5 million project, has just begun and will include an improved viewing area, a new 9,000 square foot elephant barn and addit...
2007-07-16 - Leipzig, Germany. Anwen Roberts
Last week, scientists announced the discovery of an almost perfectly preserved baby mammoth in the permafrost of Siberia. SPIEGEL spoke to evolution scientist Michael Hofreiter from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig about what the young female means for science. Researchers are falling all over themselves to examine the intact baby mammoth found in the permafrost of Siberia. Will scientists be able to clone it? Hofreiter: Cloning a mammoth isn't possible!
2007-07-16 - Montgomery, United States. Shaniquah Gabino, Times Herald-Record
Did you know that the first mastodon skeleton was found in Montgomery? The rib bones were found in 1793 and the Montgomery Mastodon excavation took place in 1801. There were two sites where mastodon skeletons were found: on Route 17K across from Valley Central School and in Coldenham. Joseph Devine, author of “The Montgomery Mastodon” (January 2007) knows a lot about this prehistoric mammal. His book has been distributed to fourth-grade students in the Valley Central School District.
2007-07-16 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Leon Marshall, National Geographic News
Elephants moving into war-ravaged southern Angola from neighboring countries appear to have developed the ability to avoid the land mines that litter the region, scientists report. Michael Chase, a biologist who has been studying the elephants for seven years, says he first detected the animals' apparent ability to avoid the mines from satellite-collar tracking images.
2007-07-15 - Birmingham, United States. Stan Diel and Walter Bryant
Mona, the elephant beloved by her fans but pitied by animal rights activists before her death last month, will not be the Birmingham Zoo's last elephant. An ambitious zoo expansion plan to be unveiled in the fall will include a "much bigger" elephant exhibit, said Dr. Bill Foster, the zoo's chief executive officer. Foster declined to disclose specifics about the greater plan, but in broad strokes painted a picture of a zoo that puts animals in larger, more realistic habitats and focuses more on ...
2007-07-15 - Mysore, India.
The elephant census from Chamarajanagara Wildlife Division in forest circle has indicated a rise in the male-female sex ratio of the pachyderm. The census has indicated that there is one male elephant for every four female elephants in the region and the sex ratio has been described as healthy. It used the block count, line transact and water hole count methods to examine family size, elephant structure and population trends.
2007-07-14 - Santa Barbara, United States. Gregory W. Griggs
Moorpark officials may have found a final resting place for the skeleton of a fossilized mammoth that roamed the area up to 1 million years ago. If the City Council approves the plan next week, the skeletal pieces will be donated to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Trevor J. Lindsey, the paleontologist who discovered the mammoth at the housing site, said this is probably the first time such fossils have been discovered in Moorpark.
2007-07-14 - Ranchi, India.
The population of elephants has declined sharply in Jharkhand with poaching and confrontation with human beings suspected to be the main causes for the decrease. Jharkhand has registered a sharp decline of 148 tuskers in the census conducted in May this year. According to the counting that took place between May 7 and May 12, the elephant population has declined to 624 from 772 reported in the last census conducted two years ago. According to forest department figures, in confrontation with elep...
2007-07-14 - New Delhi, India. Danish Shafi
The little, off-white elephant lines up behind another of his herd on Zameer Baig’s table. Zameer has done a good job of the bone carving but all his father Nazeer does is give him a dejected nod of approval. The father-son duo belong to a vanishing community of ivory artisans. “We are still called that but we don’t work on ivory anymore. We now carve on animal bones, that of camels and anything else that we manage to source,” said Nazeer.
2007-07-13 - Wuppertal, Germany.
In Wuppertal Zoo the female african elephant Tika was born on friday morning 02.40. The birth was rather long and complicated, but mother and the 75 kgs heavy baby are OK. Tika was drinking milk from her mother already after three hours.
2007-07-13 - Surin, Thailand. Phoowadon Duangmee
The northeastern province of Surin pays homage to its traditional beasts of burden in celebrating the Buddhist Lent this year, with 80 elephants coming to town to take part in parades and spiritual ceremonies on July 28 and 29. The celebrations are being held two days before the start of the Buddhist Lent on July 30 to allow visitors to head to Ubon Ratchathani for the Candle Festival. "Eighty elephants will be joining a total of six processions," says Surin Governor, Pornsak Panuthonraphan.
2007-07-13 - Asheboro, United States. Adrianne Flores
The North Carolina Zoo wants to change the future by preserving the present. The number of elephants worldwide has dropped by 50 percent in the last century, and now the animal is on the endangered species list. Officials at the zoo hope a new $8.5 million expansion will save the species.
2007-07-13 - New Delhi, India. Mausam Sharma
A lower court in Delhi may soon have to arrange for a much larger witness box or conduct its proceedings in the parking lot. The case relates to a dispute over ownership. The elephants’ microchip numbers, inserted in the skin behind the ears, did not match the numbers mentioned in the ownership certificate. “Every elephant is marked and a record is maintained by inserting a microchip so that its identity can be verified. When we checked the numbers in the microchips, they did not matc...
2007-07-13 - Naxalbari, India.
Fifty-three-year-old Kharananda Jaishi was killed by a berserk elephant in Naxalbari, in Darjeeling district this morning. The tusker attack came close on the heels of an elephant being shot dead in the Indo-Nepal border area on Tuesday after a herd strayed across the border. In 2002, a female elephant went on a rampage, killing 13 people in a row after she lost her calf. Similar accidents have been reported in the past. Herds of elephants, after being forced to retreat, had gone on a rampage in...
2007-07-13 - Asheboro, United States.
Years of poaching, a shrinking habitat, and trouble breeding in captivity have landed elephants on the endangered species list according to Rod Hackney at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. The 3-year, $8.5 million project includes a new state-of-the-art barn, twice the size of the last and more importantly space to do what comes naturally. The new elephant expansion should be complete by April 2008.
2007-07-13 - Chiang Rai, Thailand. Jane Levere
A mahout course course takes place at the elephant camp at Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, near Chiang Rai, Thailand. Students are instructed by a qualified Thai mahout and English-speaking guide, and learn basic commands, daily care of an elephant, and how to mount an elephant—either up its side or by leap-frogging over its bowed head—among other other skills.
2007-07-12 - Harare, Zimbabwe. ITAI DZAMARA
Three government ministers are involved in the illicit hunting of elephants and dealing in ivory through their concessions, investigations by The Zimbabwean have revealed. Minister of Policy Implementation, Webster Shamu dismissed as untrue allegations that the Hunting Safari he allegedly co-owns with Charles Davy was involved in illicit deals. Another minister, Obert Mpofu, of Industry and International Trade, also said that he wasn't involved in any illicit deals after highly-placed sources al...
2007-07-12 - Bhubaneswar, India.
In a bid to contain elephant intrusion into human habitations, the Orissa government has initiated a series of measures including easy availability of food and water inside jungles for the pachyderms. Elephants were mostly coming out of forests and entering human habitations in search of food and water, Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, said in the State Assembly last night.
2007-07-12 - Newmarket, Canada. Tamsyn Burgmann
They say an elephant never forgets. And it's likely York Regional Police and some startled early risers won't be able to forget what they saw in a Newmarket neighbourhood early Friday morning, three elephants wandering loose around the area. Cops responded to Yonge and Eagle Sts. around 2:30am, when some night owl residents spotted what appeared to be several pachyderms wandering around outside their doors.
2007-07-12 - Padang, Indonesia.
The population of tiger and elephant in West Sumatra`s 21 conserved forests has continued to decrease due to illegal logging activities and human encroachment. We don`t have the exact number of their current population. However, we believe that the number has tended to drop over the last five years, Indra Arinal, the head of the West Sumatra Natural Resource Conservation Office, said here on Thursday. He estimated that the population of tiger in West Sumatra Province was currently about 50 heads...
2007-07-12 - Jefferson, United States. Steve Sharp
It's a laid-back situation here, Bill Morris said with a slight southern drawl Wednesday afternoon while he sat in the shade of his mobile home's awning at the Jefferson County Fair. And Morris' claim would be hard to dispute, because sprawled in front of him, enjoying a cool breeze while taking a nap, was his old friend, 48-year-old Asian elephant, Cora. Nearby, snacking on hay and green grass she yanked diligently from the ground, was her energetic 26-year-old counterpart, African elephant, Sh...
2007-07-11 - Louisville, United States.
During its last fiscal year, July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, the zoo had 810,546 visitors, breaking the previous record of 798,282 that was set in 2002-2003, the opening year of the Gorilla Forest exhibit. The Louisville Zoo, a nonprofit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is accredited by the American Association of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
2007-07-11 - Anchorage, United States. MEGAN HOLLAND
The next home for Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's lone elephant, may be chosen this week but that's not quick enough for those who want her moved out of Alaska pronto. Zoo director Pat Lampi said he plans to present a list tonight to the Alaska Zoo board of several options picked from eight institutions that have told the zoo they want the African elephant. "We are looking for the best possible situation for Maggie," Lampi said.
2007-07-11 - Pune, India.
A Month after the State forest department took two elephants into its custody after their owners were found using them for begging, one of the elephants, Lakshmi, was released by Judicial Magistrate First Class S J Ansari. Lakshmi, who is partially blind due to a cataract in both eyes, was released on a bond of Rs 2 lakh to be paid by her mahout Rameshchandra Pandey, after he furnished the legal ownership certificate issued by the Forest Department at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
2007-07-11 - Anchorage, United States. Megan Baldino
The Alaska Zoo Board of Directors said it is a little closer to knowing where Maggie the elephant may end up when she leaves the zoo, but they said its going to take time. After their regular monthly meeting tonight, board president Dick Thwaites said the list has been narrowed from about 80 possibilities to six. The board meets again August 8. Thwaites said of the six options, all are located in California, Florida or the Midwest.
2007-07-11 - Bamandangi, Nepal. AVIJIT SINHA
The discovery of the mutilated carcass of a female elephant here — in Nepal’s Jhapa district — today has revived the spectre of organised poaching in the pachyderm corridor bordering India. The 25-year-old elephant had fallen to bullets near a bamboo grove close to the Mechi river yesterday. The spot is 20km from Panitanki, the last border town on the Indian side.
2007-07-11 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
Colchester Zoo is very sad to report that “Rosa” one of Colchester Zoo’s female elephants has had to be put to sleep due to serious health problems. Rosa gave birth to Jambo, back in 2004 and since then had showed signs of severe discomfort, particularly whilst passing urine. Diagnosis of elephants is not an easy task, particularly due to their size so Colchester Zoo assembled a team of experts to investigate her symptoms. The team included the zoo’s consultant veterinary surge...
2007-07-10 - Way Kambas, Indonesia. Oyos Saroso
Suffering is shared by both the dozens of wild novices in the Elephant Training Center (PLG) of Way Kambas in East Lampung regency as well as their tamers. The difference is that while most of the elephants are emaciated and sickly, the trainers are well excepting their meager pay. The elephant trainers have had to make do with a monthly salary of only Rp 550,000 in the last two years. Before that, they received just Rp 350,000 a month, which frequently came in very late.
2007-07-10 - Siberia, Russian Federation. Paul Rincon
A baby mammoth unearthed in the permafrost of north-west Siberia could be the best preserved specimen of its type, scientists have said. The six-month-old female calf was discovered on the Yamal peninsula of Russia and is thought to have died 10,000 years ago. The frozen carcass is to be sent to Japan for detailed study.
2007-07-10 - BHUBANESWAR, India.
As many as 43 people have been killed in elephant attacks in the State’s tribaldominated Sundargarh district during the last seven years. Replying to a question from Prafulla Majhi (Cong), Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said of the 61 elephant attack deaths reported, 43 cases were confirmed and compensation had been paid in all these cases. Patnaik said the State Government had increased the ex gratia compensation amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh recently.
2007-07-10 - Tsavo, Kenya.
Poachers have killed seven elephants near Kenya's Tsavo National Park over the past month, wildlife officials said Tuesday. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the animals died in a migrating corridor near the Kenya-Tanzania border, where seven Tanzanian poachers and their Kenyan guide were arrested over the weekend. The elephants were killed in the nearby Koranze ranch, which serves as a corridor for the animals when migrating from Tsavo to Tanzania's northeastern Mkomazi Game Reserve.
2007-07-10 - Caprivi, Namibia. Barbara J. King
In Caitlin O Connell’s The Elephants Secret Sense, I fell into the beauty of a natural Africa that felt at once strange and familiar, and learned new science about elephants in a way that maintained the groove of a good semester. Passages in O Connells book brought back the slow burning joy of coming to understand something of another creatures behavior: Eventually, once I learned to slow my own sense of time, adapting it to the deliberate, meditative pace of an elephant, I started to understa...
2007-07-10 - London, United States. Stuart Coles
The World Wildlife Fund estimates up to 80 per cent of wildlife on reclaimed farms has been slaughtered since 2001, with little sign of the desire for bush meat and cash abating. They are killing everything and anything from a squirrel to an elephant, says Karen Paolillo, For food and for money. Karen Paolillo gives a talk to the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday July 12 at the Ondaatje Theatre, London, 7pm.
2007-07-09 - Tumkur, India.
In a ghastly incident, an elephant trampled an eight-year-old boy to death while he was offering it a banana on the premises of Siddalingeshwara temple in Yadiyuru of Kunigal taluk on Sunday morning. The deceased is Sachin, son of an autorickshaw driver of Nandini Layout in Bangalore. Sachin’s elder brother Sanjay, however, managed to escape from the attack of the elephant. The temple was ordered to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to the parents.
2007-07-09 - Ahmedabad, India. Vikram Rautela
Shes tall, dark and graceful even at 60. Not only that, shes got a swinging gait. Mahants at the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur will blow conch shells to welcome her on the morning of July 16. After all, she has the privilege of being the first one to bless Lord Krishnas rath yatra. We are talking about Gulab, one of the most revered elephants in the temple, who has been leading the rath yatra for the last 35 years.
2007-07-09 - Denver, United States. Sara Gandy
While other zoos have gotten rid of costly elephant exhibits in the face of new regulations, the Denver Zoo is planning a big expansion for its pachyderms. The zoo plans to build a $52 million, 10 acre park complete with a hot tub, scratching trees and running rivers. The zoo only has two elephants right now but the new park would have room for up to eight elephants.
2007-07-08 - Kandy, Sri Lanka. MySriLankaTravel
The significance of this perahera dates to 310 AD when the tooth relic of Buddha was brought from India. For two weeks at the end of July and in to the first few day's of august, elephants parade the street at night, officials and chieftains wear traditional costume and dancers leap to the timeless rhythm of the drums. The elephants are decorated with ornate regalia and battery operated light, adding to the spectacle.
2007-07-08 - Exeter, United States. Barbara Rimkunas
When Teddie Higgins Smith brought in her Aunt Verna's photo album last year, she commented, "Oh, and here's one of the elephant on Water Street," as though everyone in town knew the story. Well, no one at the Historical Society had heard any particular tale about an elephant, but that didn't mean we couldn't uncover something. We copied the photo and the research began.
2007-07-08 - Hampton, United States. Jaya Franklin
Kenny Welch has traveled to 40 different countries and visited about every state in the United States. He used to train African elephants at Lion Country Safari, formerly located in Stockbridge: I almost lost my life when I was attacked by one of the elephants, he said. Moja, a 3,000 pound African elephant became feisty while Welch was bathing the female pachyderm in a pond.
2007-07-08 - New York, United States. MICHAEL FLEMING
Film rights to Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen’s Depression-era circus novel that has climbed atop the paperback bestseller lists, have been optioned by Andrew R. Tennenbaum, a producer of The Bourne Ultimatum. While Water for Elephants sold respectably in hardcover, the novel has become a word of mouth success in paperback, climbing to the top of the New York Times bestseller list the past two weeks.
2007-07-07 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
A rehabilitation centre for aged elephants has been planned in Kerala, state Forest Minister Binoy Viswam said Thursday. An ideal forest spot would be identified soon for, Viswam informed the state assembly today. Taking note of incidents of elephants turning violent during festivals, a scheme to impart scientific training to mahouts has been drawn up, Viswam said in a written reply. The wildlife department had taken steps for effective implementation of Kerala captive elephants (management and ...
2007-07-07 - Grahamstown, South Africa.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has obtained a court order preventing a man from training and exhibiting elephants, the SPCA said on Thursday. The SPCA had opposed an application by one Yossuf Jeeva to train six African elephants and to exhibit them. He also wanted to train two Bengal tigers, six lions, cheetahs, African wild dogs and spotted hyenas.
2007-07-07 - Moscow, Russian Federation.
A frozen mammoth found recently in Russia in unprecedented good condition is set to be sent to a Japanese university for examination, several experts said Friday. The mammoth, thought to be a 6-month-old female, was found in the best state of preservation among all frozen mammoths ever discovered, the experts said. The mammoth is expected to be sent to Naoki Suzuki, a professor at Tokyo's Jikei University, for CT scanning in December or later, according to the experts.
2007-07-07 - Mysore, India.
Elephant 'Balarama', which was carrying the golden howdah during the world famous Dasara festivities procession, was severely injured when it was attacked by another elephant at Moorkal elephant camp in Nagarahole National Park, near here. According to forest officials, 'Balarama' was released to the forest in the night along with another elephant 'Abhimanyu' a couple of days back for grazing. 'Abhimanyu', who went berserk, along with other elephants, gored him.
2007-07-06 - New Delhi, India.
The results of the five-yearly elephant census are pouring in and, unlike the tiger census results, project elephant officials are all smiles as the animal population is on the rise. Mr AN Prasad, inspector general of forests and director, project elephant, ministry of environments and forests, said, The elephant population has always been increasing but, in recent years, it has shown an amazing upward trend.
2007-07-06 - , United States.
Mastodon bones uncovered by the surprised crew of Dan's Excavating exactly one year ago near Adams Road and M-59 are returning home Saturday for a special exhibit. The bones are estimated to be those of a mastodon that roamed Oakland County about 12,360 years ago. Known to the Rochester Hills Museum staff as the Adams Road Mastodon, the now-extinct animal is a distant cousin of the elephant, which existed for at least 3.75 million years before dying off 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.
2007-07-05 - Jerusalem, Israel.
While taking a pet for a walk might be a pleasant stroll for some, it takes on a whole different scale for elephant keeper Amar Obaidat and his charges at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. Every morning the herd of elephants are taken for a walk around the zoo to get their circulation going for the day ahead. The elephants, Tamar, Suzanne, Michaela, Avigail, Teddy and baby Gabby, are walked in two groups to keep their numbers manageable. First to go are usually two of the smaller females and Gabby.
2007-07-05 - Seattle, United States. Emma Marris, Nature
Samuel Wasser is a conservation biologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, and an outspoken opponent of elephant poaching. He talks to Emma Marris about his genetic methods for tracing poached ivory. The secret is to pulverize the ivory without heating it up, which denatures the DNA. We use a freezer mill. It submerges a tube containing a small piece of ivory and a magnet into liquid nitrogen. This freezes the ivory and makes it brittle. We rapidly switch the magnetic field back and f...
2007-07-05 - Bharatpur, India.
Orissa will build a memorial for a baby female elephant which was rescued by state wild life officials on May 5, but died a few days later after its reunion with its herd. The elephant named Kalinga, was kept in the Bharatpur wild life sanctuary for a month after it was rescued by the wildlife officials. But, its carcass was recovered on July 1 at Bharatpur on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The state forest and environment department will build the memorial at the spot where the carcass was recov...
2007-07-05 - Wheaton, United States. Hank Beckman
The Wheaton Fourth of July parade normally doesn't celebrate royalty. But if the royalty is "Big Queenie," a 10,000 pound Asian elephant, exceptions can be made. Big Queenie, from Barnes and Bailey Circus, was sponsored by the Republican Party of DuPage County and one of 142 entries in "All the World's a Stage," the annual Independence Day celebration sponsored by the Wheaton Jaycees.
2007-07-04 - Bhubaneswar, United States. Sulochana Das
The issue of man-elephant conflict is all set to come up for debate once again with a documentary film on the life and death of calf elephant Kalinga getting ready. Assimilating the video clips made by the officials of the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary on Kalinga's 40 day stay under human care and her death inside the sanctuary, Orissa Government's Forest Department has decided to make a 15 minute duration film.
2007-07-03 - Seattle, United States.
A previously unknown elephant herpes virus killed the Woodland Park Zoo's youngest Asian elephant in Seattle. Hansa, 6, who died last month, was one of 12 elephants fathered by a bull at a zoo in Missouri. Three of the others exhibited herpes symptoms in the past decade. Two of them died, while the third, Chandra, was successfully treated in 1997.
2007-07-03 - London, United Kingdom. DAVID LOWE
ONE-time wild child Jack Osbourne was ecstatic to be asked to film for the BBC’s Saving Planet Earth series. Having grown up with his mum Sharon’s spoilt dogs, Jack chose to highlight the plight of the 750 or so neglected elephants in Namibia. Here Jack, 21, reflects on his moving and inspirational trip and reveals his close call with a charging elephant.
2007-07-03 - Champaign, United States.
With a circus set to come to Champaign on Friday and Saturday, an animal rights organization is urging city council members to enact an ordinance banning the use of devices that can cause pain or injury to elephants. But the mayor of Champaign says he doesn't plan to take up the issue. And the circus denies it harms its animals. Elephants born to the circus don't start performing until age 2, and when it's time for an elephant to retire, they "spend their 'golden years' with our herd in Choctaw ...
2007-07-03 - Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa.
The death of Riccardo Ghiazza, who became infamous after a 2003 conviction for torturing baby elephants, will help to raise awareness about the wildlife trade in South Africa. This was the view of animal rights activists on Monday. Ghiazza, believed to have been on his way home, was killed on Saturday night when he crashed his black Mercedes SLK on the R512 near Hartbeespoort Dam. He died instantly from head injuries. Ghiazza made news headlines in 1998 when secretly filmed footage of mahouts e...
2007-07-02 - Balatonlelle, Hungary. All Hungary News
An elephant owned by the Hungarian National Circus escaped from the company's tent in Balatonlelle on Saturday, one day after the circus premiered its new show in the town. Szandra, a 30-year-old female elephant who has starred in James Bond movies, pulled the poles of the "electric shepherd" from the ground, then stepped over the wires and left the camp. Early Saturday morning, she was seen grazing on a nearby field. The circus director was immediately notified, and did not have any problems he...
2007-07-02 - Salinas, United States. SUNITA VIJAYAN
Although surrounded by gleaming classic cars and hot rods, “Butch,” a five-ton, 27-year-old African elephant retired from a circus, was undoubtedly the highlight of today’s fourth annual “Ears and Gears Car Show and Family Day.” More than 450 people showed up today the Elephants of Africa Rescue Society’s fundraiser held at Vision Quest Ranch, 400 River Road in Salinas.
2007-07-02 - Guruvayur, India.
The month-long annual rejuvenation therapy for jumbos owned by Guruvayur Devaswom began at Punnathur Anakotta here on Sunday. Devaswom chairman Thottathil Raveendran formally inaugurated the rejuvenation therapy by giving the special diet food to Seshadri, the new member of the elephant family of the temple. Eldest elephant Gajaratnam Guruvayur Padmanabhan, Gaja Samrat Guruvayur Valiya Kesavan and other seven elephants are not included in the annual therapy owing to their masth period. They will...
2007-07-01 - Bhubaneswar, India. Sulochana Das
Calf elephant Kalinga, which hogged the headlines for several weeks after it strayed into the Capital city and its subsequent return to the wild a fortnight ago, is no more. The seven-month-old elephant calf was found dead inside the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of the city on Sunday. The post-mortem report indicated that the elephant calf had not died due to starvation.
2007-06-30 - Thrissur, India.
An anonymous letter threatening the safety of Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple here has been received by the Devaswom administrator. Guruvayur Devaswom Committee Chairman, Thottathil Raveendran said today that a letter received by the administrator yesterday also said that all the 64 elephants in the temple's possession would be killed. The letter was handed over to the Crime Branch division of the police for necessary action, he said.
2007-06-30 - Corvallis, United States. Bechert U, Christensen JM. Oregon State University
The pharmacokinetic parameters of S(+) and R(-) ibuprofen were determined in 20 elephants after oral administration of preliminary 4-, 5-, and 6-mg/kg doses of racemic ibuprofen. Racemic ibuprofen administered at 6 mg/kg/12 hr for Asian elephants and at 7 mg/kg/12 hr for African elephants results in therapeutic serum concentrations of this antiinflammatory agent.
2007-06-28 - Doimari, India.
Six hand-raised elephant calves being readied for release in a wildlife sanctuary in Assam are raring to taste freedom as monsoon-induced fresh vegetation offers them a rare food extravaganza. As part of a unique plan to set them free, the calves were brought to Doimari in the Manas national park from their earlier home in Kaziranga, about 350 km away, in February. All of them were between one year and two years old when they were rescued from different parts of Assam. They were raised at the Ce...
2007-06-28 - Dublin, Ireland.
Elephants will make their first appearance at Dublin Zoo for almost two years when a spectacular rainforest enclosure is opened. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to unveil the sprawling Kaziranga Forest Trail habitat, which includes water pools and dense vegetation. It will be home to the zoo's two new adult Asian elephants, Bernhardine and Yasmin, which have been in quarantine since arriving from Germany earlier this year. A two-month-old baby elephant born at the zoo in May has yet to be named.
2007-06-27 - Durban, South Africa.
Hyraxes are widely stated to be the closest living relatives of elephants. This is not so. Though both are within the cohort of mammals known as Afrotheria, the Hyrax is not the closest living relative of the elephant. Elephants (Proboscidea) and hyraxes (Hyracoidae) are both more closely related to manatees and dugongs (Sirenia) than they are to one another.
2007-06-27 - London, United Kingdom.
Elephants typically stroll along at a leisurely four kilometres per hour, but once they ramp up to just twice this speed they start to use their back legs "like pogo sticks" to drive their bodies forward, bouncing over their relatively stiff, vaulting forelimbs, said John Hutchinson of the Royal Veterinary College in London, author of the study.
2007-06-27 - Phoenix, United States. John Faherty
There is something particularly weird about the sight of 10 elephants making their way through downtown Phoenix. To see an animal whose natural habitat in Southeast Asia taking a right from First Street onto Jackson Street is jarring. The short walk from the train tracks to US Airways Center on Tuesday was part marketing ploy to announce that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town and begins performing tonight.
2007-06-26 - Harare, Zimbabwe. Tererai Karimakwenda
Over the last few years Robert Mugabe has pursued the so-called Look East policy which increased trade between Zimbabwe and China. It has now been revealed that Interpol and the wildlife watchdog CITES are looking in all directions for evidence of illegal deals between the two countries, which involved tons of ivory and military hardware. According to The Zimbabwean newspaper this week, Zimbabwe has been secretly bartering tons of ivory with China in exchange for rifles, bullets, anti-riot gear ...
2007-06-26 - Ruskin, United States. Buckles Woodcock
While on the subject of the Beatty Show, Jim Elliot took these pictures 10 or 12 years ago of Fred Logan reorganizing the elephants for the one-ring format they were going to. Who would have thought that this would later become the benchmark the Ken & Nicole units are trying so unsuccessfully to accomplish?
2007-06-26 - Topsham, United States.
Margaret Mast was watching the local news when she saw an upcoming story about a 90-year-old woman riding an elephant. "Oh my God," she thought. "I think it's my mother. Sure enough, there was my sister and my mother on an elephant." Yvonne Turcotte, 90, always wanted to ride one, a wish that came true Thursday at York's Wild Kingdom. But it wasn't her first stunt. In September 2006, Turcotte took a ride in a hot-air balloon to celebrate her birthday. And she taught water aerobics until last yea...
2007-06-25 - Gifu, Japan. Kusuda S, Wakimoto T, Sato T, Nishimura K, Kawakami S, Okuda K, Saito E, Shimada T, Sakamoto H, Yanagimoto H, Wada S, Nishio K, Fuji H, Suzuki T, Hashikawa H, Kusunoki H, Doi O. Biological Sciences, Gifu University.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether changes in body temperature are related to the ovarian cycle in elephants. Rectal, tongue or fecal temperature was measured for 2 Asian and 5 African elephants using an electric thermometer. Evaluation of ovarian cycles was based on the changes in serum or fecal progestin. These results suggest that measurement of body temperature can be used to easily evaluate the ovarian cyclicity of an individual animal, although it might not be able to ...
2007-06-25 - Bangalore, India.
A 40-year-old tusker was electrocuted at a private estate near Kaggalipura on Saturday. The elephant had strayed around 11 km from the forest area in Thalaghattapura and five km from Kaggalipura. The police said that it had come to the estate in search of food when it came in contact with a live wire and was electrocuted. The officials from both Bannerghatta forest division and BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) visited the spot. The incident occurred at around 11 p.m., sources said.
2007-06-25 - Manas, India.
The six hand raised elephant calves being readied for release in a National Park in the eastern Indian Assam state are enjoying the monsoons, frolicking in the swelling streams and eating the new shoots of grass that have sprung out of the wet earth. Conservation organizations, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) had built a night shelter for the elephant calves deep inside the Doimari forests to protect them from predators.
2007-06-24 - Hot Springs, United States.
Welcome to an "elite" club: Mammoth Hunters of North America. You will be welcomed by the community and have a chance to learn more about mammoths and mammoth fauna than you probably ever cared to know. You will become a part of the "dig," and if you are lucky, you may find a specimen that will be on public display. You can help Larry Agenbroad's continued investigation of the world's largest natural deposit of Columbian mammoth remains.
2007-06-24 - Beijing, China.
Baby elephant Migara, a gift of friendship from Sri Lanka to China in February this year, celebrated his sixth birthday at the Beijing Zoo Saturday. With a red ribbon on head, the male elephant received birthday wishes from both Chinese and Sri Lanka children, as well as delicious bananas from its raiser. Migara was presented as gift by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to the Chinese people on Feb. 26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties of the two countries...
2007-06-24 - Puthenkulam, India.
Puthenkulam is becoming a popular tourist destination as it is home to the largest number of captive elephants in Kerala. The road to this village is not less travelled. But, it is a beaten track travelled by majestic elephants along with human beings. Bhoothakulam Panchayat in Kollam district has the largest number of captive elephants in Kerala and most of them are fr om the Puthenkulam village in this Panchayat.
2007-06-24 - Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Two tribal boys were killed in an attack by wild elephants from across the border at Panihata village under Nalitabari upazila of the country's central district Sherpur on Saturday, officials and locals said. A herd of eight wild elephants coming from the Indian state of Meghalaya entered the bordering area and attacked the house of Ilias Sangma at the village at around 4:00 a.m. (local time) when the family members were asleep. The elephants damaged the house and trampled Ilias two sons: Faruqu...
2007-06-23 - Calgary, Canada. SHANNON WOODWARD, SUN MEDIA
The Calgary Zoo's most prominent and largest residents were introduced to their new enclosure yesterday. Ganesha, Kamala, Swarna and Maharani, the zoo's four Asian elephants, stepped out of the great doors and into the sand-filled outdoor space that will become their playground for years to come. Elephant Crossing, part of the $35-million Project Discovery plan to rejuvenate the zoo, has expanded the elephants' outdoor living space by more than three times and more than doubled their indoor spac...
2007-06-23 - San Diego, United States. Michael Stetz
San Diego Zoo staff euthanized Carol, a 40-year-old elephant, Tuesday at the Wild Animal Park near Escondido because of severe and chronic foot and joint problems. In most cases, deceased zoo animals are put through a machine that uses enzymes to break down carcasses relatively quickly, expediting natural decomposition. But that wasn't the case with Carol. The machine, called a “tissue digester,” is 30 miles away at the zoo in Balboa Park. At about 3 tons, she was too big to transport. So Ca...
2007-06-22 - Seattle, United States.
Test results have eliminated some possible causes for the death of Hansa, a 6-year-old Asian elephant at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, but officials said Friday they still don't know the reason she died. Scientists in Washington and across the country have been studying tissue, organ and blood samples to discover why Hansa died June 8 after reduced activity and appetite. Conclusive results could take a few more weeks, the zoo said in a news release.
2007-06-21 - Calcutta, India.
Elephants have unearthed at least seven fresh human graves in eastern India, upsetting the nearby Muslim community and puzzling forestry officials. An elephant herd passed through a cluster of villages in the Bishnupur area last week, foraging for ripe fruit — and unearthing as many as seven recently dug graves, said Niranjan Ghosh, a forestry officer who visited the site.
2007-06-21 - Birmingham, United States. Walter Bryant
A necropsy was to begin late this afternoon on Mona, the Birmingham Zoo's elderly elephant who was euthanized this morning. The nearly 60-year-old Asian elephant had been under 24-hour watch by her keepers since Monday, when she was unable to get up from lying on her side in her exhibit. A crane was brought in Monday to help her back to her feet, and the elephant seemed to have made a rally and she had been eating well.
2007-06-21 - Orlando, United States.
2007-06-20 - Western Plains, United States. Jeremy Scott
Western Plains Zoo has again been forced to defend its record of animal welfare following allegations from a former keeper that neglect of the zoo's elephants is rife. Jason Kauntze-Cockburn, an American "elephant-care specialist" who resigned from Western Plains after only one year's service, yesterday alleged the elephant accommodation had been "neglected for years" and was cold and dirty.
2007-06-20 - Barton-Le-Clay, United States.
A British man has been arrested in Bedfordshire in connection with the illegal sale of ivory to the USA. Customs officers assisted by police detained a 43-year-old man at a property in Barton-Le-Clay on Wednesday morning. Items seized from one property included two raw elephant tusks, whale and hippopotamus teeth, and carved ivory.
2007-06-20 - Berlin, United States.
Archeologists have found a 35,000-year-old carving of a woolly mammoth in southwestern Germany. It is believed to be the oldest ivory carving every found, the newspaper der Spiegel said Wednesday. An archeology team from the University of Tubingen found the figurine in the Swabian Jura, a 722-foot-long plateau in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Five mammoth-ivory figurines from the Ice Age have been found at Vogelherd Cave in southwestern Germany. The new finds include well-preserved remains of ...
2007-06-19 - Sydney, Australia. Kelly Burke
An American elephant-care specialist head-hunted by the Zoological Parks Board little more than a year ago has resigned, citing animal neglect as the reason. Jason Kauntze-Cockburn has terminated his four-year contract after only one year at Western Plains Zoo, saying inadequate staffing was putting the elephants health and well-being at risk.
2007-06-19 - Abardeen, United States. Jennifer Sullivan
Hansa, Woodland Park Zoo's beloved elephant, shares a final resting place with an unknown number of dogs, cats and other creatures behind one of the state's busiest animal crematoriums. The 6 ½-year-old Asian elephant was cremated there after her death June 8, and her remains were buried in an unmarked mass grave behind Petland Cemetery in a residential neighborhood in Aberdeen.
2007-06-19 - Des Moines, United States. Tom Alex
Bill Marnin of Stuart was looking for peace and quiet, not a piece of history, when he launched his kayak for a trip on the Middle Raccoon River. Instead, he stumbled on a tooth from an elephant-like creature that disappeared from North America about 10,000 years ago. Bill Johnson, curator of the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines, said Marnin's discovery, made last month on a sandbar near Redfield, is a very good example of a molar from a young to middle-age adult mastodon that lived...
2007-06-19 - Sukhothai, United States. Megan Reynolds
Katherine Connor, 26, started helping elephants after her first trip to Thailand around four years ago. She started fundraising, and set up Boon Lott's Animal Sanctuary with her new husband, Anon, who has been her partner for three years. The couple celebrated their wedding at the sanctuary, each riding their elephants towards each other from opposite ends of the park.
2007-06-19 - Calgary, Canada. Laurie Herron, Media Relations, the Calgary
The official opening of the much-anticipated Elephant Crossing will take place on Friday, June 22, 2007. Elephant Crossing is the exciting new home for the Calgary Zoo's elephant family and will present state-of-the-art technology and learning opportunities that will enhance the zoo visitors' experience. The new indoor and outdoor amphitheatres will showcase interpretive programs and provide animal encounters that will inspire people to protect this fascinating endangered species.The exhibit hal...
2007-06-19 - San Diego, United States. Jeanette Steele
A 40-year-old Asian elephant at the Wild Animal Park was euthanized this morning because of foot and joint disease, San Diego Zoo officials said. Carol has been an icon of the zoo and Wild Animal Park since 1968, when she arrived from Thailand. She appeared with Joan Embery on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, in addition to performing in shows at the Wild Animal Park.
2007-06-19 - Bloemfontein, South Africa. Osthoff G, de Wit M, Hugo A, Kamara BI. University of the Free State
Data are presented that indicate the dynamic changes of nutrients in milk from three free ranging African elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) cows during lactation. Electrophoresis and identification of protein bands showed that polymorphs of one whey protein may be present in elephant's milk similar to polymorphs of alpha-lactalbumin found in cow's milk. During these lactation times the content of short chain fatty acids, capric and caprylic acids increased, while fatty acids lauric acid and...
2007-06-18 - Washington, United States. www.worldbank.org/lao
The Wildlife Conservation Society just finished a report on the elephant population size and distribution in the Nakai Plateau. The approach to count the elusive giants included the first-ever simultaneous use of DNA-based and conventional dung count surveys for an Asian elephant population. + Report - 6.2mb pdf
2007-06-18 - Pinnawela, Sri Lanka. ARNE BIRKENSTOCK
The destiny of 16-years-old Chandani from Sri Lanka is closely bound to a little injured elephant, who has been taken in the elephant orphan hospital of the Pinnawela National Park. If she succeeds in feeding the animal, her father - the main mahout of the elephant hospital and known as elephant whisperer thoughout the whole country – will teach her to be the first female mahout in Sri Lanka. If she fails and the animal dies, she will have to bury her dream, not being able to fulfill the mahou...
2007-06-18 - Vienna, Austria. Nicole Weissenböck
Thermogram of the front surface of the right pinna, 30 days after the injury. A regular medical evidence of the ear. The wound is healed.
2007-06-18 - Birmingham, United States.
Staff and vets used slings this morning to help raise the Birmingham Zoo's remaining elephant to her feet. Mona, a nearly 60-year-old, 8,000-pound elephant, was found off her feet and unable to stand this morning, said Katrina Cade, vice president of marketing. The elephant is now standing, eating and drinking, Cade said.
2007-06-18 - New York, United States.
This could represent the biggest migration of large mammals on Earth, said conservationist J. Michael Fay in amazement while flying over Southern Sudan earlier this year. The scientists report seeing an estimated 8,000 elephants, mainly in the Sudd, the largest freshwater wetland in Africa. They found evidence of even larger numbers of elephants in Boma and in the Jonglei landscape. According to IUCN-World Conservation Union's African elephant database, there were no reliable records of elephant...
2007-06-18 - Itahari, Nepal.
Conservation of Itahari district Sunday night. The male elephant that had remained in the conservation area for the last 15 days suddenly entered to the village last night and demolished the houses of Dev Narayan Raut, Kuk Mani Devi Shah and Ram Yadav. The elephant also demolished a guesthouse of Aqua Resort Guesthouse and the office of the local consumer committee.
2007-06-17 - Punjab, India. Jaideep Sarin
The 'jumbo' wedding plans of many a groom in parts of Punjab now have a last minute hurdle with marriage palace owners at some places refusing to allow elephants inside their complexes. Owners of marriage palaces - where a majority of the weddings in Punjab take place given the vast covered and lawn area that they offer - say that allowing elephants, camels and chariots (raths) becomes a nuisance for them.
2007-06-17 - Bhubaneswar, India.
A calf elephant from Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, which was left behind in the city by a herd of wild elephants last month, is now back in the wild. The calf that was christened Kalinga as she had strayed into the Kalinga Studio complex of the Capital city was taken back to the sanctuary by a herd of four elephants on Saturday afternoon. The officials of the Chandaka Wildlife Division are now tracking the movement of the herd with which Kalinga was moving.
2007-06-17 - Pittsburgh, United States. Allison M. Heinrichs
Fathering offspring he's never met in multiple states probably won't earn Jackson a "world's best dad" coffee mug anytime soon. But he is getting recognition as one of the nation's biggest fathers. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's bull elephant holds the record for fathering the most calves at U.S. zoos. Just in time for Father's Day, the Louisville Zoo announced that paternity tests revealed Jackson, 28, to be the father of Scotty, a male elephant born at the Kentucky zoo in March.
2007-06-16 - Namsai, India. Biswajyoti Das
Wild elephants are being illegally captured from the jungles of northeast India and forced to work in temples and give tourists rides, conservationists say. About 70 to 80 of Assam's 5,000 wild elephants are smuggled out of the northeastern state every year, conservationists say, despite India's ban on the trapping of wild elephants in 1986. A smuggler typically earns 15,000 to 30,000 rupees per elephant.
2007-06-16 - Dehra Dun, India.
Two elephants and a tiger cub died after falling from the hill top at Sauphuti area in Kalagarh and Jhirana range of the park on Friday. Forest officials said the death of wild animals was caused apparently due to incessant rains lashing the area for the past two days.
2007-06-16 - London, United Kingdom. Philip Whiteside
GRIEF-STRICKEN dad Kelvin Parker has told in shocking detail how a dream safari holiday exploded in terror as a rampaging elephant slaughtered his wife and daughter. Describing for the first time the full horror of the attack which destroyed his family, he revealed how he was convinced that HE would be the one to die when the five-ton beast suddenly went crazy.
2007-06-16 - Sydney, Australia. Michelle Cazzulino
After undergoing a five-month training period, the matriarch of Taronga Zoo's herd of Asian elephants, Pornthip, has delighted her keepers by mastering the art of placing her feet on an X-ray machine, allowing them to record the structure of her foot and toes. Staff are hoping the other four elephants at the zoo will follow her example over the coming months, ensuring they will be able to keep tabs on the animals' health.
2007-06-15 - London, United Kingdom. NATASHA COURTENAY-SMITH
At least twice a week for the past seven years, Wendy Martin has woken from the same nightmare. In it she is being tossed into the air by a huge beast as a growing cloud of dust clogs her eyes and nose, and pain engulfs her every limb. Usually, Wendy, 46, wakes with a start, running out of her bedroom and on to the landing of her five-bedroom house in Godalming, Surrey. As her husband works abroad, it is often one of her children, hearing their mother's bloodcurdling screams, who takes her by th...
2007-06-15 - London, United Kingdom.
A KENYAN court yesterday decided a luxury lodge and a prominent landowner failed to give adequate warnings to a British tourist trampled by an elephant. Wendy Martin was gored and her pelvis crushed at Il Ngwesi lodge, one of Kenya's most exclusive safari destinations, beside a wildlife reserve set up by Ian Craig. Mrs Martin, who has claimed £800,000 compensation, said she was delighted.
2007-06-15 - Carlsbad, United States.
Fossilized mastodon tusks and other fragments believed to be as much as 220,000 years old were discovered at a construction site, according to the developer. Officials at Corky McMillin Cos. said Wednesday that two tusks, an upper jaw fragment with three teeth and vertebrae from a single animal were uncovered during grading for a new housing development. "This is the first mastodon to be found in Carlsbad, and we're excited to have uncovered two nearly complete tusks," said San Diego Natural His...
2007-06-15 - Cherry Creek, Kenya. Cherry Creek News
Three wildlife rangers and four poachers were killed this past weekend in a pre-dawn shoot-out in Kenya's Tana River District. The gang of poachers was en route to Tsavo East National Park, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said, when they were ordered to stop, but instead opened fire. Rangers brought down four poachers in the ensuing gun battle but at the cost of three of their own, bringing to 23 the number of KWS rangers who have died in the line of duty since 1990.
2007-06-15 - Nairobi, Kenya. Coastweek
In February an aerial wildlife count was undertaken in the Shimba Hills Ecosystem with special intrest on the pachyderms. The main aim was to counter check the elephant numbers still in the ecosystem in preparation for the forthcoming translocation, tentatively scheduled for August. Approximately 100 elephants, mainly problem bulls will be targeted for relocation.
2007-06-15 - Seattle, United States. William Foster and James McGraw
When an elephant roams free, it gets shot; not just its tusks, but its whole face gets cut off to supply the illicit ivory trade; its feet are removed and made into ashtrays; its flesh is smoked and sold at market as a delicacy. Elephants are dying in the wild at the rate of 100 every day. What does the loss of one elephant in Seattle, Hansa, have to do with the wild elephants? Everything, because Woodland Park Zoo and accredited zoos everywhere are making the life of every elephant count in sup...
2007-06-15 - Washington, United States. Librarylove.net
When 17-year-old Jade sees a curly-haired boy on a zoo Web camera a boy with a baby on his back she gets that “little feeling of knowing, this fuzzy, gnawing sense that someone will become a major something in your life.” After she volunteers to work with the elephants, she meets and falls in love with Sebastian, and is quickly drawn into his complicated life including his dangerous secret.
2007-06-14 - The Hague, Netherlands.
A U.N. wildlife conference extended a 1989 ban on African elephant ivory exports on Thursday by nine years, after sales from stocks, in a pact hailed as a step to safeguard the giant mammals. CITES backed an African plan, agreed after overnight talks among ministers, to crack down on poaching while allowing Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to make one-off ivory sales. They say their elephant numbers are rising.
2007-06-14 - New York, United States. ETHAN WILENSKY-LANFORD
The hydraulic lift lurched up, bringing the back of an African elephant into full view. To Mike Peter Smith, who was cleaning the elephant yesterday, its spine took the form of a gently sloping mountain range with peaks behind the head and near the rear legs. That stuffed elephant and seven others at the American Museum of Natural History were getting their annual cleaning, a ritual that is repeated at least once a year for every bird, dinosaur, mammal and fish that is not behind glass in the mu...
Eighteen years after a United Nations-backed treaty banned the ivory trade, African ministers have for the first time achieved a regional consensus on how to address the highly charged issue. Eighteen years after a United Nations-backed treaty banned the ivory trade, African ministers have for the first time achieved a regional consensus on how to address the highly charged issue.
2007-06-14 - Bukarest, Romania.
The most admired animal in the Bucharest Zoo, Gaya the Elephant, died in fall 2006, leaving behind a handful of commissions and discussion boards. According to the Analysis Commission report, Gaya was killed by the respiratory problems caused by the extreme stress she was submitted to. The report, based on the opinions of several foreign specialists, also proves that some Zoo animals were sacrificed and used as food for the reptiles.
2007-06-14 - Longmont, United States. Pierrette J. Shields
An animal rights group’s claim that a traveling circus’s elephants were quarantined because of potential exposure to tuberculosis are false, say the circus’s owners and federal health officials. Barbara Byrd, co-owner of the Carson & Barnes Circus, said the elephants do not have tuberculosis and are not quarantined. The circus’s 28 elephants are tested for tuberculosis every year per federal regulations, and the elephants have never had a positive test, Byrd said.
2007-06-14 - Tampa, United States. AZA
Operant conditioning, utilizing creative, positive reinforcement in one of the world's most behaviorally progressive, protected contact environments • Provide physical stimulation and mental challenges for our animals as a member of our elite team of elephant professionals • Daily cleaning and maintenance of rolling display area, state-of-the-art husbandry facilities, and multi-million-dollar barn • Husbandry training for veterinary and breeding program procedures
2007-06-11 - Edmonton, Canada.
Samantha, the Valley Zoos African elephant, is leaving Edmonton. Zoo officials today said the 19-year-old elephant is headed to the North Carolina Zoo sometime this summer on a breeding loan. Shes expected to be joined by a growing herd that by the end of the year may include two males and five females. Samantha is of prime breeding age and is in excellent health, so we’re pleased to have found an accredited facility that has an approved breeding program, said Dean Treichel, Valley Zoo...
2007-06-11 - Kathmandu, Nepal.
At least 10 elephants of Chitwan National Park (CNP) in central Nepal, suffering from tuberculosis (TB) for the last 18 months, are not getting treatment due to apathy of concerned authorities. As medication for each infected elephant costs no less than 50, 000 Nepali rupees (780 US dollars), curing them at the local level is not possible, said Rameshwor Chaudhary, chief of the section, adding, They need continuous medication for 18 months. This is not possible without help from the department, ...
2007-06-11 - Dubbo, Australia.
Keepers at Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, in western New South Wales, are mourning the death of a second animal in a week. Cheri, a 35-year-old african elephant, died from gut-related problems on Saturday night. She was one of only three african elephants in Australia and has been at the zoo since it first opened 30 years ago. A female greater one-horned rhinoceros which was about to be moved to Dubbo for a breeding program died at Sydney's Taronga Zoo last Monday.
2007-06-11 - Knoxville, United States.
MUST HAVE PREVIOUS ELEPHANT HANDLER/KEEPER EXPERIENCE. This is a Zoo Keeper II position. It differs from the next lower level of Zoo Keeper (Keeper I) in that the lower level does not have the responsibility of training staff, team leading as requested, or serving on Zoo committees. A Zoo Keeper II is also demonstrating increasing knowledge and experience in the area species and related programs. It differs from the next higher level of Zoo Keeper in that a Keeper III has developed considerable ...
2007-06-10 - Sukhothai, United States. Megan Reynolds
2007-06-09 - Thrissur, India.
What is the best way to make Assamese and Bihari jumbos ‘permanent residents’ of Kerala? Gift them, and keep mum about the money that has changed hands. The Forest and Wildlife Department has now tracked down two such cases and initiated action. Existing laws do not prevent transfer of elephants across state borders if permission has been granted by the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the states in question. However, sale of captive elephants is banned by law.
2007-06-09 - Litte Rock, United States.
A group negotiating a $3.6 million deal with an elephant sanctuary in Arkansas to turn the refuge into a National Elephant Center says talks have fallen apart and the group is looking elsewhere. The zoo group was close to a deal with Scott and Heidi Riddle to turn their 330-acre Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary near Quitman into a national research, breeding and home for elephants.
2007-06-08 - Amer, India. Lokendra Singh
The birth of an elephant baby in Amer, near Jaipur, has given cheer to a mahout's family and fellow villagers, most of whom believe the birth is a rare occurrence in Rajasthan in the last 100 years. Born this past week, to 25-year-old 'Lakkimala', the elephant calf has made its owner ecstatic. The newborn has been christened 'Muskan' (smile) by its owner Abdul Aziz. She weighed 70 kilograms at birth and is presently keeping well.
2007-06-08 - Kathmandu, Nepal.
Though four countries have signed agreements with the Nepal government to build new hospitals and the SAARC regional centre for tuberculosis (TB) research is located in Nepal, the disease has become a jumbo menace, stalking elephants doing tourist duty in the southern plains. Three elephants have died of TB and 10 more been found affected in the Chitwan National Park in the Terai plains, a major tourist attraction, Nepal's official media said Friday.
2007-06-08 - Seattle, United States.
Hansa, a 6-year-old Asian elephant who delighted visitors to the Woodland Park Zoo, was found dead Friday, about a week after she began displaying colic-like symptoms, the zoo said Friday. Hansa was born in 2000 after another of the zoo's elephants, Chai, was sent to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri, where natural breeding resulted in a pregnancy. Hansa was the first elephant born at the 100-year-old Woodland Park Zoo, which has no male elephants.
2007-06-08 - Jacksonville, United States. AZA
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is currently seeking an experienced elephant keeper. Preferred qualifications include a degree in biology or related field, a minimum of 2 years experience in an AZA accredited zoo with previous experience working protected contact. Must be familiar with the AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care. Duties to include general animal husbandry, elephant training, and exhibit maintenance.
2007-06-07 - Anchorage, United States.
Following an impassioned public outcry, the Alaska Zoo board has decided to relocate the state's only elephant to another state under certain conditions, the board president said Wednesday. Every effort will be made to expedite a move if and when all the factors for a successful move are favorably addressed, board president Dick Thwaites said in a prepared statement.
2007-06-07 - Asahiyama, Japan. JUNYA YOSHIDA
When an elephant named Indira arrived at Ueno Zoo in 1949, it sparked a zoo-building frenzy around the nation. People in charge of zoo projects came to Ueno and went home with blueprints of the facility. "A lot of the zoos around the nation were like facsimiles of the same facility," Kenichi Kitamura, executive director of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said. But with the arrival of Asahiyama Zoo, the zoos have begun implementing displays with their own innovations. So will Ueno...
2007-06-07 - Pune, India. Pia Chandavarkar
Two elephants were taken into custody on Wednesday after they were found to be used illegally by two mahouts in the city. While a criminal case has been lodged under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) against the two mahouts, the elephants have now been taken to the Katraj Zoo for further investigation. The men were using the elephants for begging, which is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960
2007-06-07 - Longmont, United States. John Fryar and Rachel Carter
Randy Peterson, Carson & Barnes head elephant handler for the circus performing here, says he wishes people concerned about the welfare of the three elephants under his care would see for themselves how the animals are treated. Peterson said it’s unfortunate protesters don’t see what we do 24 hours a day. He has a three-person crew working with him to tend to the three female Asian elephants — Isla, Opal and Ila — that are part of the Carson & Barnes animal menagerie.
2007-06-06 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A thousand rare black-mane lions and some 300 elephants are in danger after a swathe of forest in their sanctuary in eastern Ethiopia was cut down,a wildlife expert told Reuters. Flora EcoPower Holding AG,a German biodiesel producer based in Munich, cleared the forest after it was granted 10,000 hectares of land by the government
2007-06-06 - The Hague, Netherlands.
US-based online commerce site eBay said Wednesday it will ban international trade of elephant ivory on all of its sites around the globe, creating the first-ever online international trade ban of elephant ivory. eBay said the decision followed an eight-country investigation by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) of ivory for sale on eBay sites.
2007-06-06 - Nairobi, Kenya. CHRIS TOMLINSON
The markets in the Central African Republic offer all of the jungle's delicacies, including monkey, chimpanzee, antelope and, if you have the cash, even elephant. A typical forest elephant, which weighs 5,000 to 6,000 pounds and produces 1,000 or so pounds of edible meat, can earn a poacher up to $180 for the ivory and as much as $6,000 for the meat. The average income for an African in the Congo Basin is about $1 a day.
2007-06-06 - Cape Town, South Africa.
Stakeholders and authorities in South African nature conservation are preparing to discuss submissions received from the public regarding the management of the nation's elephant population. Delivering his department's budget vote speech in Parliament, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said they had received 700 pages of comments, from a wide range of individuals and organisations on the matter.
2007-06-06 - Davis, United States. Hart BL, Hart LA, Pinter-Wollman N. University of California
Among terrestrial mammals, elephants share the unique status, along with humans and great apes, of having large brains, being long-lived and having offspring that require long periods of dependency. Although focused neural cytoarchitecture studies on the elephant are needed, this comparative perspective on the cortical neural cytoarchitecture appears to relate to differences in behavior between elephants and their primate counterparts.
2007-06-05 - Whipsnade, United Kingdom.
The famous herd of elephants at Whipsnade Zoo are being put through their paces to show why their training is so important. Keepers will be hosting daily demonstrations of the training methods they use in the zoo's purpose-built elephant arena. Among the things elephants have to be trained to do is lifting their feet. This is so that they can be cleaned and vets can check them.
2007-06-05 - Hartford, United States.
A bill that would have drastically changed the way circuses control elephants has failed in the General Assembly, but the chief proponent said Tuesday she'll revive the controversial issue again next year. Rep. Diana S. Urban, D-North Stonington, said she had 55 votes — all Democrats — in the 151-member House, so she will abandon the bill that would have banned the use of stainless steel bars called bullhooks.
2007-06-05 - Anchorage, United States.
The Anchorage Zoo board of directors are meeting Tuesday night to decide what to do with Maggie, the elephant. Many of you know, board members are trying to decide if the elephant should stay at the zoo or be shipped to a more suitable facility Outside. Board members are also wrestling with how Maggie would make the move if she were to go. They need to determine if it would even be possible to fly her and if there is a plane that is big enough to hold her.
2007-06-05 - Stanford, United States.
Elephants can distinguish between friendly calls and those of strangers reports a new study covered in ScienceNOW Daily News. In 2004 Caitlin OConnell-Rodwell of Stanford University discovered that elephants use low-frequency, partially infrasonic ground vibrations to communicate with each other from miles away. The pachyderms press their trunks against the ground to detect the calls.
2007-06-05 - Knysna, South Africa.
DNA analysis has revealed the existence of five previously unknown, female Knysna elephants in the Southern Cape region at the tip of South Africa. Researchers say the discovery is reason for cautious optimism that the worlds most southerly elephant population may have survived the onslaught of ivory hunters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
2007-06-05 - The Hague, Netherlands. Anna Mudeva
The large quantity of illegal worked ivory entering the United States from China and Japan is a sign of the strong demand that is contributing to an alarming increase in elephant poaching in Africa. In 2006 alone, experts estimate as many as 23,000 African elephants were illegally killed. There is more worked ivory for sale in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, except for Hong Kong.
2007-06-05 - The Hague, Netherlands.
The international body here that regulates trade in endangered plants and animals approved the sale of 60 tons of ivory to Japan over the weekend. The committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also known as the Washington Convention, agreed to allow Japan to import stockpiled African elephant ivory from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
2007-06-04 - Islamabad, Pakistan.
A Pakistani zoo is appealing for donations to help feed its sole elephant, Suzi, which gets angry and beats its keeper with a stick when its meals are late. When Suzi is not fed on time it holds its masters cane in its trunk and starts beating him, an official at the zoo in the city of Lahore told the Daily Times.
2007-06-04 - NDjamena, Chad.
Chads President Idriss Deby Itno has detached 400 regular army soldiers to defend the remnants of a once-thriving elephant population decimated by poachers, the country's top conservation official said. The soldiers are taking positions in and around Zakouma National Park as we speak, Abakar Mahamat Zougoulou, who is in The Hague to attend a meeting of the international body that regulates the trade of endangered species, told AFP on Monday.
2007-06-04 - Bhubaneswar, India.
The man-animal conflict in Orissa has claimed 328 human and 90 elephant lives since 2000-01. During the past seven years, a total of 90 elephant poaching cases have been registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2007-06-04 - St. Louis, United States.
Jade, the youngest elephant at the St. Louis Zoo, will make her public debut this evening from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the River's Edge. The three-month old Asian elephant has been rejected by her mother Rani, but recently started to nurse from her grandmother Ellie, who also nurses daughter, Maliha. Jade will appear with a keeper, but no other elephants.
2007-06-04 - Highlands Ranch, United States.
The Carson and Barnes Circus rolled into Highlands Ranch on June 1 through June 3, erecting their big top tent filled with with a three-ring stage, acrobat wires and enough seats to pack in the anxious crowds toting hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and children clutching light-up toys. Before the show, children could feed the numerous goats and llamas, take a ride on a camel or elephant or jump around an inflatable castle.
2007-06-04 - McMinnvile, United States. NICK BRADSHAW
A pair of McMinnville boys made a mammoth discovery along the Yamhill River last week, literally. According to the McMinnville News Register, the two 10-year-olds were out exploring when they stumbled upon a strange looking stone. The newspaper reports Charlie Gilpin and Bryant Ashton took their find to Geologist Bill Orr who recognized the specimen as a rear molar of the ancient elephant-like mammoth.
2007-06-04 - Kasungu, Malawi.
Twenty-one armed game scouts have finally driven over 40 herds of elephants back into Kasungu National Park, about a month after Kasungu District Assembly put the district on high alert. The situation was now back to normal and people should now be able to do their daily business without any fear.
2007-06-04 - Santa Barbara, United States.
Part-time Seasonal, Up to 32 hours per week Great oppoturnity for a person who loves elephants and enjoys engaging an audience. You will promote the Zoo and its mission as an educator, serving as Ambassador to our natural world. Knowledge of current methods, principles, procedures and practices utilized in environmental education preferred (AZA/CEC conservation messaging and NAI interpretive methods). Considerable knowledge of biology and zoology necessary as well as ability to organize and impl...
2007-06-03 - The Hague, Netherlands.
2007-06-03 - Laikipia, Kenya.
Sir Richard Branson announced a new type of jumbo service yesterday – he is donating £125,000 to help build a corridor in Kenya's Laikipia game reserve to allow elephants to migrate safely. The £500,000 trunk road will preserve traditional migratory routes and includes tunnels which will allow elephants to cross busy highways safely.
2007-06-03 - Coimbatore, India.
To guide wild elephants, straying into human habitat, back to the forest, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has brought two tamed elephants (Kumkis) to Periyathadagam region on the outskirts of the city. Forest officials said the two Kumkis - Kapil and Pallavan- would assist the forest staff to guide the wild elephant herd back to the forest. The two Kumkis, brought from Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, had been stationed at Periyathadagam region from yesterday.
2007-06-03 - Anchorage, United States. ANTARA DAS
Dhritikanto Lahiri Chowdhury’s book on elephants throws light on these giants of the wild. The story of Harjit is one of the numerous poignant tales in Hatir Boi (The Book of Elephants) by Dhritikanto Lahiri Chowdhury, an academic who has had a lifetime association with elephants spanning more than seven decades. Engaging as well as endearing, they chronicle the traits of this gigantic creature of the wild, so fascinatingly simple yet one that obstinately refuses to submit to well defined cate...
2007-06-03 - Anchorage, United States. GEORGE BRYSON
Right now I feel very torn, said Seawell, speaking by telephone from her home in Anchorage. I'm not sure which way is right. And I don't want to be adamant on either side until I make up my own mind. But when she contemplates the danger of trying to truck an adult elephant such a long distance, she tends to change her mind. She knows of three instances in which elephants have died from panic and injury in the process of being transported far shorter distances. Unless they agree to ship her by a...
2007-06-02 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
Scotty is the name chosen for the Louisville Zoo's baby African elephant, zoo officials said yesterday. People who voted throughout May at the zoo preferred the name Scotty over Jonesy and Angus, the other names that were chosen as finalists by the zoo's elephant caretakers. About 7,000 names were suggested in the contest sponsored by Norton Healthcare.
2007-06-01 - Vienna, Austria. AS Stoeger-Horwath, S Stoeger, HM Schwammer, and H Kratochvil
African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) have a complex acoustic communication system, but very little is known about their vocal ontogeny. A first approach in ontogenetic studies is to define the call repertoire of specific age groups. Twelve hundred calls of 11 infant elephants from neonatal to 18 months of age recorded at the Vienna Zoo in Austria and at the Daphne Sheldrick's orphanage at the Nairobi National Park, Kenya were analyzed. Six call types were structurally distinguished: t...
2007-06-01 - Fresno, United States.
Responsibilities of this class include the care, feeding, maintenance and observation for the health, and reproduction of elephants and a variety of additional zoo animals; record keeping, assisting in the movement of animals as directed, interacting with zoo docents, and assisting zoo visitors with questions and their needs.
2007-05-31 - Leipzig, Germany. Harry Schwammer, EEKMA
For this meeting the board plans to reorganize EEKMA, involve regional members of different countries to establish news-network.
2007-05-31 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Little Elephant (June 2) is set before the Pacific War. Japan’s first baby elephant is born in the Tokyo zoo. Caring for the calf is Shota Tanabe. As the war intensifies, the War Minister orders all the zoo animals to be put down, to ensure that none of them escape and terrorise the citizens of Tokyo. As each of the animals is killed, Shota desperately searches for an avenue to save the little elephant. Starring Tetsuya Takeda, Kurara Haruka, Midori Hagio and Toshiyuki Nagashima.
2007-05-31 - St. Louis, United States. Diane Toroian Keaggy
Rejected by her mother, the youngest elephant at the St. Louis Zoo has found a new source of milk: her grandmother. Three-month old Jade gets about 10 bottles of elephant formula a day but recently started to nurse from grandmother Ellie, who also nurses her own 10-month-old daughter, Maliha.
2007-05-30 - Mount Shasta, United States. Sibyl Walski
Holland Stafford wasnt sure what she wanted to explore for her Weed High School senior project and spent much of the summer pondering choices. Then she happened to see a documentary on Animal Planet about the Elephant Nature Park 60 kilometers north of Chiang Mai, Thailand and her childhood fascination with elephants surfaced, as well as a desire to go to Africa or Asia to help them. Accompanied by her father, Robert, the WHS senior flew halfway around the planet to spend a week at the nature pa...
2007-05-28 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
Wild elephants trampled a woman and her child to death on Indonesia's Sumatra island, an official said on Monday. A herd of several elephants descended on a village just outside the Bukit Barisan Selatan national park on Saturday and attacked residents, said Lusman Pasaribu, the head of the park. Police and forest rangers later found the bodies of the woman and her three-year-old daughter.
2007-05-28 - New Delhi, India.
A wild elephant in India's eastern state of Orissa has been waylaying motorists who complain that the animal refuses to let their vehicles pass unless they give it food, a media report said Monday. Witnesses told the Hindustan Times daily that the elephant has been scouting for food on a highway in the northern Keonjhar district, forcing motorists to roll down windows and get out of their vehicles.
2007-05-28 - Juba, Sudan.
International wildlife experts have located hundreds of wild elephants on a treeless island in the swamps of south Sudan, where they apparently avoided unchecked hunting during more than 20 years of war. Environmentalists are keeping the location of the island in the Sudd area secret to prevent poachers from killing the animals.
2007-05-27 - Segamat, Malaysia. Junita Mat Rashid
An elephant crossing a railway line in Bekok early yesterday sustained two broken hind legs when it was hit by a train. The impact of the collision flung the animal, believed to be 10 years old and weighing about a tonne, into a 15m ravine near the tracks. It is understood it would be put to sleep if efforts to save it failed. The train, which started its journey from Kuala Lumpur, was heading for Singapore when the incident happened at 4.50am. On Nov 2, 2004, two 4.5 tonne female elephants die...
2007-05-25 - Ranchi, India.
He is two- and-a-half years old, loves milk and Lactogen, and has kept the officials at the Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park dancing around him. He is Ramu, the baby elephant rescued from the Seraikela forests and being looked after by the zoo authorities. The other elephants at the zoo, Samrat and Lakhi, too had been rescued from different jungles of the state. Samrat was also brought to the zoo at a young age and has grown to be an obedient young tusker.
2007-05-25 - Pattaya, Thailand.
On 24th May 2007, just after midnight, a truck driver had to run for his life after his pickup truck was viciously attacked by a rampaging pregnant elephant in a field in Huay Yai. His truck was stomped on and wrecked. The mahout, Mr. Loon Jongjai-gnarm, (27) from Surin, told the police that he regularly brought the pregnant elephant from Nong Nooch village to eat the grass in the area, but she had never acted like this before. He assumed that “Phang Dao Rueng” was frightened and moody as sh...
2007-05-25 - Taipei, Taiwan.
It is the first time fossils from the prehistoric elephant have been found outside the southern region of the country, the China Post newspaper said. The newspaper said the fossil belonged to a newborn mammuthus calf that lived in the area around Shih-kang village in Taichung County 1.6 million to 2.2 million years ago. Scientists say the discovery provides new evidence of the animal's possible distribution through Taiwan.
2007-05-24 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is considering culling a booming elephant population after a proposal is drawn up by Mali and Kenya that bans ivory trade. Mali and Kenya proposed to lobby for a complete ban on the ivory trade for 20 years at the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) summit. "We will be in a dilemma if that proposal by Kenya and Mali goes through," Edward Mbewe, spokesman for the parks and wildlife management authority said on Wednesday.
2007-05-23 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Authorities are preparing to stop 99 elephants and thousands of villagers from entering Thailand's capital to protest the possible dissolution of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's political party, the military said on Wednesday. We have to use all means to stop the elephants from joining the political rally," said Prayuth Chanocha, commander of the 1st Army, which is responsible for peacekeeping in Bangkok.
2007-05-23 - Berlin, Germany. Allan Hall
After his mother tried to trample him to death and drown him, an unnamed four-day old baby elephant is now reunited with its mother, Pori. The calf is suckling normally and enjoying all the re-found maternal affection that its three-ton mother Pori, 26, can lavish on him. "Mother and son are getting along magnificently now and the baby is able to stand up fully ," said Claus Pohle, deputy director of the animal park where the calf was born on Sunday.
2007-05-23 - Anchorage, United States.
The Anchorage Assembly wants the Alaska Zoo to make a decision on the future of Maggie the elephant. Assembly members Tuesday night approved a resolution telling the zoo board it should consider moving the elephant and making the decision soon. The resolution adds to the growing number of voices calling for the animal to be moved to a warmer climate where it could be with other elephants.
2007-05-22 - Tannowa, Japan.
In 2004, the park lost its two elephants, Izumi and Midori. Ever since, the old elephant stable had stood barren. Now the stable has been renovated. And Izumi has returned to her old home where she lived for 48 years, this time as a skeleton. The two female elephants had been at the park since it opened back in 1957. The two Indian elephants were extremely popular with visitors, entertaining them with various tricks, like climbing on tiny stools.
2007-05-22 - Providence, United States. Karen Lee Ziner
A well-publicized attempt in February to artificially inseminate Alice, one of the Roger Williams Park Zoos three African elephants, did not succeed. Tests have confirmed that Alice is not pregnant. Zoo staff gave it another try on Sunday, and time, specifically three months time will tell. Sperm collected on Sunday morning from a bull elephant at the Pittsburgh Zoo was flown to Providence in a special cooler, examined under a microscope, and deemed viable.
2007-05-22 - Ayutthaya, Thailand.
So far, it's been a jumbo good year in Thailand. The Royal Elephant Camp has been blessed with nine calves since January and recently threw a huge party to celebrate. The camp, in the ancient city of Ayutthaya 75 km (45 miles) north of Bangkok, is one of the largest conservation centers in Thailand, a country whose elephant population is dwindling. Environmentalists estimate that only 5,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild, making the baby boom at Ayutthaya crucial to ensuring the future of ...
2007-05-22 - Dak Lak, Vietnam. Thien Truc
Deforestation and owners’ callousness have taken a toll on elephant populations both in the wild and in captivity in Vietnam’s central highlands, sending the giant animals to the brink of extinction. There are only a few hundred elephants left in the area compared with thousands a century ago, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources reports. Dak Lak province, once a pachyderm haven, now has just 50 elephants, mostly in captivity.
2007-05-22 - Jaipur, India.
Elephants will have a new address in Jaipur, a village exclusively for them is being developed on the city's outskirts. The Amber Development Authority is going to begin construction of the boundary wall of the elephant village this week. Officials said the project would be completed within 18 months.
2007-05-22 - Cox Bazar, Bangladesh.
Wild elephants trampled two people to death and destroyed 20 bamboo homes when they strayed into a Bangladesh village on Tuesday. The herd of some 10 elephants also uprooted trees and damaged crops in Mithachhari, near Cox's Bazar town, 400 km (250 miles) southeast of the capital Dhaka. Police said some seven people have been trampled to death by wild elephants in the last two months at Cox's Bazar district alone.
2007-05-22 - Baltimore, United States. Ron Matz
How do you give an elephant a pedicure? The answer is very carefully. "Everything we do with the elephants is preventative maintenance. We want to make sure they stay healthy. We don't really have a lot of foot problems. We've been very fortunate," said Mike McClure, elephant collections manager at the Maryland Zoo.
2007-05-21 - Hanoi, Vietnam.
An elephant in northern Vietnam has killed two handlers who had worked with the animal for almost 20 years, a local official said Monday. Ha Van Hoang, 46, was killed on the spot and 42-year-old Le Van Lanh died in hospital after the elephant gored both of them with his tusks Saturday, said Ngan Van Thiep, chairman of the Son Ha commune in Thanh Hoa province.
2007-05-21 - Mesa, United States. Jon Johnson
A 1,000 pound, 2.5-million-year-old Rhynchotherium skull has joined the rest of its bones at the Mesa Southwest Museum on May 9 and is now one of the museum’s largest pieces. A Rhynchotherium is an extinct mastodont relative of the elephant with four tusks. The rhynchotherium died out during the Pleistocene Epoch at the beginning of the most recent Ice Age.
2007-05-20 - Sublangka, Thailand. Pasara Puthamat
After two years of careful training to prepare Pang Kham Mool Yai for life in the wild, the 35-year-old elephant was yesterday released into the Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary. Kham Mool Yai is the first domesticated elephant to be introduced to the wild under a programme that will see a further 80 released over time by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. However, many fear the animals may not be able to adjust.
2007-05-20 - San Andreas, United States. TINA LAM
Patti Miles stood in the sharp California sunshine next to the enormous, deeply wrinkled creature towering over her. I miss her more than anyone can imagine," Miles said. Miles was one of the keepers of the much-loved Detroit Zoo elephants Wanda and Winky, working with them for more than six years before the animals moved from Royal Oak to the hills of northern California. At the Detroit Zoo, white rhinos have taken Wanda and Winky's place, but the elephants are not forgotten. "Every weekend, we...
2007-05-19 - Nairobi, Kenya. Bonny Apunyu
Kenya is being backed by some seven African countries on its proposal for a 20-year moratorium on ivory trade. However, southern African states, including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have opposed the proposal. Since the last Cites conference in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2004, more than 40 tonnes of ivory have been seized.
2007-05-18 - Singapore, Singapore.
Acupuncture for a limping elephant? Herbal tea for a constipated orangutan? The Singapore Zoo has tried it all, and it works. Treating an elephant with acupuncture requires some industrial-size needles to pierce its 2.5 centimeter (one inch) thick hide and sometimes through 15 centimeters of muscles.
2007-05-18 - Anchorage, United States.
Zookeepers have put Alaska's only elephant in a sling until they find out why she's having trouble getting back on her feet after lying down. The sling is providing Maggie the elephant relief from her 8,000-pound bulk if she wants to get off her feet, said zoo director Pat Lampi. Zoo officials were awaiting results of a second round of blood work. The initial round, taken after the elephant was found lying on her side the first time, showed nothing abnormal, Lampi said.
2007-05-17 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The focus of the Conference will be symposia on the following topics: 1. Advances in reproductive technology 2. Aquatic bird medicine and conservation 3. Neonatology - rearing and disease 4. Nocturnal animals - husbandry, disease and conservation 5. Infectious disease of ungulates. Deadline for the submission of papers: 31 January 2007. In conjunction with the Symposium, the EAZWV Board Meeting and AGM will take place.
2007-05-17 - Coxs Bazar, India.
A Bangladesh safari park has called for urgent financial help from the government to feed nine elephants after their mahouts were detained by police last month after they used the pachyderms to illegally fell trees. Charges have been filed against the men and their principal employers. Keepers of the 900-hectare (2,250-acre) Dulhazara Safari Park said they lacked the food or money to feed the nine additional guests, which consume large amounts of paddy, rice and banana trees each day.
2007-05-17 - Norfolk, United States.
The city has bestowed one of its highest tourism honors upon three of its biggest residents. Cita, Monica and Lisa, a trio of elephants at the Virginia Zoo who weigh in at 7,800, 8,600 and 10,000 pounds respectively became the first nonhumans to be named Norfolks ambassador of the year on Wednesday. The popular pachyderms represent the big picture when it comes to hospitality and customer service as they happily go about their day performing their various crowd-pleasing assignments, including pu...
2007-05-16 - Jacksonville, United States. Grayson Kamm
Our Hidden Places series takes you to off-limits spots at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, including animal hurricane shelters, their high-tech hospital and feeding time with the lions. "You gotta get wet! Lean in!" called out animal keeper Jami Fletcher. And the massive elephant standing just feet away did exactly what she asked. Another keeper opened the nozzle on a spray hose and started treating Ali to a refreshing shower.
2007-05-15 - Los Angeles, United States.
Animal rights activists plan to gather outside the L-A zoo today to see Ruby the African elephant trudge off into retirement. The 46-year-old animal will spend her twilight years in a 70-acre enclosure that she'll share with three other elephants at a Northern California sanctuary.
2007-05-15 - London, United Kingdom. MSNBC News Services
Illegal ivory trading flourishes on the Internet because online auction sites do too little to enforce laws aimed at protecting endangered wildlife, a wildlife advocacy group says. The International Fund for Animal Welfare, in a report published Tuesday, said Internet users often were able to offer goods such as ivory necklaces for sale without documentation to prove the items were lawful.
2007-05-14 - Milwaukee, United States. Cheryl Sherry
Next time you're at the Milwaukee County Zoo, say hello to Ruth, a 28-year-old transplant from Brownsville, Texas. Ruth is an African elephant that came to Milwaukee from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville at year's end to make friends with zoo resident Brittany, also an African elephant, which lost its companion, Lucy, in September. They've become fast friends.
2007-05-14 - Perth, Australia.
The youngest elephant at Perth Zoo has been put down after an exhaustive battle to save her life. Officials say 17 year-old Teduh has suffered from muscular skeletal weakness for years, making it difficult for her to lie down and get up. The condition also meant she lacked co-ordination in using her trunk. The Zoo's Chief Executive Susan Hunt says the muscular problem continued to get worse, and recently Teduh developed abdominal pain and lost her appetite.
2007-05-13 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The number of elephants that die from gunshot injuries in Sri Lanka has increased since automatic weapons were provided to home guards in villages under terrorist threat, Wildlife Department figures point out. Some 160 elephants died in the North Western Wildlife Zone last year, and 23 of them were victims of home guards’ guns. Over 200 elephants died last year in Sri Lanka due to human-elephant conflict.
2007-05-13 - Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Asian-run organized crime syndicates based in Africa are behind the rising illegal trade in elephant ivory, reports TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network of WWF and IUCN-The World Conservation Union. The study found that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria are the primary sources for poached ivory.
2007-05-13 - Anchorage, United States.
Firefighters perform all sorts of heroics, from putting out blazes, to helping the injured, to dealing with car wrecks. Maggie, the Anchorage Zoo’s beloved African elephant, had lain down inside her indoor enclosure, and she wouldn’t get up. Zoo employees asked firefighters from Station 8 on O’Malley Road to help. All told, the pachyderm was down for some 12 hours, said Young Suenram, an Anchorage Fire Department battalion chief. Firefighters worked with urgency to raise her up, he said.
2007-05-13 - Los Angeles, United States. DANA BARTHOLOMEW
Keepers at the Los Angeles Zoo will say goodbye to Ruby on Tuesday, when one of their dearest friends heads off to retirement at a Northern California elephant sanctuary. Jeff Briscoe, the zoo's principal elephant keeper, had welcomed Ruby to the L.A. Zoo in 1987, when she arrived from Circus Vargas. At dawn Tuesday, she will be loaded into a temperature-controlled truck and hauled 350 miles to join three African elephants at the PAWS elephant sanctuary in the Sierra Foothills east of St...
2007-05-12 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
South African professional hunter Christo Kaiser has been killed by an elephant in Botswana. Kaiser, 40, the owner of Unico Hunting Safaris in Lephalale (formerly Ellisras), died on Friday, a close friend of his, Phillip Bronkhorst, said on Saturday. He was killed in the northern part of Botswana on Friday morning. He was killed by an elephant, said Bronkhorst.
2007-05-12 - Madurai, India.
A recent survey has spotted 86 elephants along with 23 other species of wild animals in the Palani forest range, Dindigul District Forest officials has said. According to District Forest Officer Nihar Ranjan, five tuskers, 30 female elephants and 19 calves were identified. However, the gender of 32 pachyderms could not be identified as they were spotted at a long range, Ranjan told reporters at Dindigul last evening.
2007-05-11 - Rayagada, India.
The man-elephant conflict continues to grow in Orissa. A herd of wild elephants that has been creating havoc in Rayagada and neighbouring Gajapati district during the past one month killed a youth in Gunupur area on Friday. The herd, which has been outside their Lakhari forest habitat in Gajapati, has so far killed five persons. The latest incident occurred at Turkinguda village under Gunupur sub-division when the elephants trampled to death 18-year-old Dilip Bauri.
2007-05-11 - ANGUL, India.
The elephant population in Satkosia wild life sanctuary, a part of Mahanadi Elephant Reserve, has gone up within a span of two years, according to the just concluded census conducted in the area. According a reliable source, there are 145 elephants in the sanctuary area now as against 98 found in 2005 special census. The elephant population in 2002 in this part was 155.
2007-05-10 - Thrissur, India.
Three elephants ran amok during the annual festival of the Koodalmanikyam Temple at Irinkjalakuda, near here, on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., delayed 'Arat' rites. About 10 persons sustained minor injuries. The police said that an elephant became violent after a mahout allegedly prodded it with a lance.
2007-05-10 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Kinahan AA, Inge-Moller R, Bateman PW, Kotze A, Scantlebury M. University of the Witwatersrand
The savanna elephant is the largest extant mammal and often inhabits hot and arid environments. Due to their large size, it might be expected that elephants have particular physiological adaptations, such as adjustments to the rhythms of their core body temperature (T(b)) to deal with environmental challenges. This study describes for the first time the T(b) daily rhythms in savanna elephants.
2007-05-09 - Dublin, Ireland.
Dublin Zoo has been trumpeting the arrival of the baby girl elephant who was up and walking just eight minutes after she was born. Zoo keeper Leo Oosterweghal said mum Bernhardine and baby are both well. The baby Asian elephant, which has not yet been named, was born in darkness while zookeepers kept watch by using a special camera.
2007-05-09 - Sydney, Australia.
IT was girls' playtime at Taronga Zoo and a chance for one-on-one quality time with keepers for our resident Asian elephants in their $38 million enclosure this week. After six months the four females - Pornthip, Pak Boong, Tang Mo and Tong Dee - and male Gung have settled into their daily routine with ease and confidence. Keeper Lucy Melo, who has been with the group since August 2004, said the five elephants had at least eight carers dedicated to their health, quality of life, veterinary requi...
2007-05-08 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
The Louisville Zoo's new baby elephant will be named Jonesy, Angus or Scotty. Zoo staff members chose those finalists from the more than 7,000 entries in the zoo's name-the-baby-elephant contest sponsored by Norton Healthcare. "There were a ton of Jumbos and Dumbos, and even a Horton," said Dave Campbell, the zoo's elephant-area supervisor. A winning name will be announced June 1 after a vote by zoo visitors. Votes can be cast by donating coins through May 24 at a kiosk on the zoo's front plaza....
2007-05-08 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
Two residents were injured after they were trampled by two wild elephants that went on a rampage in Indonesia's eastern Sumatra province of Riau, a local media report said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Sunday in Palas village of Pelelawan district when two rubber farmers were trampled by a couple of wild elephants. The beasts have periodically gone on rampages through the farm lands, the state-run Antara news agency reported.
2007-05-08 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
An elephant trampled a 48-year-old man to death in western Zimbabwe while his wife and son looked on helplessly, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday. The attack occurred on Sunday near Mushumbi Pools in Zimbabwe's wildlife-rich Zambezi Valley, days after a buffalo gored three people to death in the same area. The man, Mendas Muzerengeni, was killed when he and his 17-year-old son tried to scare some elephants away from their fields, police spokesperson Michael Munyikwa was ...
2007-05-07 - Bhubaneshwar, India. Jajati Karan
A herd of elephants went on a rampage at a studio on the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar last week. And when the dust settled, people were surprised to see a little baby elephant left behind. The one-year-old baby jumbo is injured, tired, and is missing her mother. She was one of the six elephants from the Chandaka elephant sanctuary in Orissa that entered the Kalinga film studio on Saturday. After some chaotic scenes, the five adult elephants retreated leaving this little one behind. Now, she has bee...
2007-05-04 - Auckland, New Zealand.
Auckland Zoo elephant Kashin may well be New Zealand's biggest loser. The 38-year-old Asian elephant weighed in at 3251kg yesterday, having dropped a whopping 170kg in a year. Her stablemate Burma, 24, tipped the scales at a relatively svelte 3080kg, but had packed on 134kg since April last year and was expected to get bigger.The elephants' weights are in the healthy range.
2007-05-04 - West Bengal, India.
At least five elephants were killed by lightning in a West Bengal wildlife reserve, officials said Friday. The animals died Thursday in a tea estate under the Buxa Tiger Reserve area in the state's northern region. Their carcasses were found by tea garden workers on the bank of a river near the New Lands Tea Estate in Alipurduar area of Jalpaigur district, 700 km north of Kolkata.
2007-05-04 - Hugo, United States.
An 8,300-pound elephant and her newborn, who was 280 pounds at birth, are doing well at a breeding compound and retirement center for elephants in Hugo. Val was born to Whimpy after nearly 12 hours of labor on April 27 at the Endangered Ark Foundation. This is the third birth at the center, which was founded by D.R. Miller, whose family started the first Hugo-based circus.
2007-05-04 - Kolkata, India. Poushali Mitra
At five in the evening, Ranaghat Swastha Unnati Maidans gates open to usher in a flood of visitors. Five-year-old Twinkle too jostles among the crowd to catch a rare glimpse of the new arrival — a month-old elephant calf left behind by a circus troupe. Baby Jonaki was born when the Moonlight circus company was camped at the Ranaghat maidan. But as she was too young to travel, the state forest department would not allow her to move out of town until she was at least three months old.
2007-05-04 - Atlanta, United States.
Zoo Atlanta is currently seeking an individual who is highly motivated, enthusiastic, and organized to fill the open Lead Keeper of Elephants position within the Large Mammal department. This full-time salaried position requires an applicant with the knowledge and experience of an advanced Animal Keeper including the interest and ability to handle additional team leader and supervisor responsibilities. A degree in a Life Science or related field is required in conjunction with a minimum of five ...
2007-05-04 - Maun, Botswana.
In preparation for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference slated for The Hague in June, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks held a national consultative meeting in Maun, last week. The one-day meeting was to lobby for support for the countrys proposals to The Hague CITES conference and to solicit ideas.
2007-05-03 - Buffalo, United States.
Local indie-rock outfits Ice Cream Social, La Cacahouette, and the Grade Grubbers are herding forces on Friday (May 4) in an effort to “SAVE THE ELEPHANTS!” at the Buffalo Zoo... or at least to make them more comfortable. Proceeds from this concert event at Broadway Joe’s will be put toward the renovation of the Zoo’s Elephant House, current home to three gigantic mammals named Buki, Jothi, and Surapa.
2007-05-03 - Hohenwald, United States. JENNIFER BROOKS
From the minute she arrived Tuesday afternoon, Dularys life changed. Three members of her new herd — Delhi, Tarra and Misty — were waiting impatiently to welcome her, trunks poking through the barn stalls. They drifted over as soon as they spotted her trailer pulling up the drive and remained nearby, calling out to her until she finally left the trailer, said sanctuary spokeswoman Kate Elliott.
2007-05-03 - Jamshedpur, India. ANUPAM RANA
Man-elephant conflict looks inevitable this summer with water sources in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary not having adequate store. A senior forester posted in the sanctuary said elephants could face water crisis due to the poor volume of water available in these sources. “If the elephants do not get enough water during the scorching summer, then they would sneak into the nearby villages looking for water. Man-elephant conflict could be inevitable this summer,” he said.
2007-05-03 - Tulsa, United States. EAZA
The Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is seeking qualified applicants for a Large Mammal zookeeper position specifically working with our facilities elephants, rhinos, and sea lions. Qualifications include: graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management or related field & two (2) years of experience in the care of large mammals; preferably experience with elephants, rhinos and sea lions.
2007-05-02 - Rochester, United States. Victoria E. Freile
Monroe County and Seneca Park Zoo officials today will break ground to build a wading pool at the zoo for African elephants Lilac and Genny C. A new 50,000-gallon pool will be at the south end of the elephant yard, about 15 feet away from zoo visitors at the zoo, 2222 St. Paul St., said zoo Director Larry Sorel. It will feature a sloping entrance that resembles a watering hole in the elephants’ native environment.
2007-05-02 - Shanghai, China.
A woman performs with an elephant during a show as part of the week-long May Day Holiday activities at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park in Shanghai May 2, 2007.
2007-05-02 - Hohenwald, United States. JENNIFER BROOKS
Dulary the elephant slept under the stars on her first night at her new home. Initially leery of leaving the comfort of the trailer that carried her from the Philadelphia Zoo, Dulary finally ventured out Tuesday evening to explore The Elephant Sanctuary, a 2,700-acre preserve for retired zoo and circus elephants in Hohenwald. Dulary arrived at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, accompanied by her zoo caretakers and sanctuary staff. Since then, she’s had a hose bath and is playing with the hoses.
2007-05-01 - Ayutthaya, Thailand. Michelle Reedy and Ewa Narkiewicz
The Royal Elephant Kraal in Ayutthaya celebrated its third elephant birth in three weeks this morning May 1st 2007. A baby boy born to Kamliphet. Her third baby and the Kraal's 28th baby elephant birth since February 2000.
2007-05-01 - Baltimore, United States. M. Hirsh Goldberg
When the circus was in town earlier this year, I began to think back to my early days in public relations. I remembered the day, in pursuit of publicity for a client, I experienced one of the most potentially embarrassing occasions in my career, the time when I lost a circus elephant in downtown Baltimore.
2007-05-01 - Grahamstown, United States.
CAPTURED in the wild and trained for 18 months to cart wealthy tourists around an Eastern Cape game reserve, it is not just the future of five young elephants that hangs in the balance following SPCA objections to a permit application to use the animals for mounted game safaris. Ten Zimbabwean elephant trainers, who boast more than 50 years’ collective experience, could also face a bleak future if the permit is denied.
2007-05-01 - Colchester, United Kingdom. DANIELLE NUTTALL
A FEMALE elephant which was rescued from the circus seven years ago to begin a new life at Colchester Zoo is suffering from serious health problems, it has emerged. In a statement, Colchester Zoo said last night: “To put any animal to sleep is a hard decision but it becomes especially difficult when dealing with such a large, intelligent, and well-loved animal as Rosa.
2007-05-01 - London, United Kingdom. Joe Palca
The discovery of a skeleton of an enormous, prehistoric elephant on the coast of England is an example of this ancient cycle of warm and cold. The bones of the 10-ton elephant were found protruding from seashore cliffs after a winter storm. We then did a rescue dig, says geologist Anthony Stuart, and we recovered vertebrae from the backbone, the lower jaw, and almost all of the rest of the skeleton, including the skull and the tusks.
2007-05-01 - Bangkok, Thailand.
All eight Thai elephants now living at two Australian zoos are being treated well by zoo officials, Thailand's envoy down under said Tuesday. Ambassador Bundit Sothipalarit said five Thai elephants are now at Sydney's Taronga Zoo and another three at Melbourne Zoo. Zoo officials have been treating them tenderly, the envoy said, and are hard at work encouraging the large Thai guests to serve as unofficial Thai ambassadors.
2007-05-01 - Buffalo, United States. Tom Buckham, Buffalo News
During a 2006 review, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums said the landmark 1912 Elephant House and the hospital needed to be expanded to meet current zoo guidelines. Meanwhile, the “I Love Elephants” campaign, which seeks to raise $1 million to boost the Elephant House interior from 1,050 to 1,800 square feet, has generated considerable community support, the zoo said.
2007-05-01 - Bangkok, Thailand. Itamar Eichner
An Israeli tourist, Yoram Ben-Hamo, was convicted last Saturday for kidnapping a baby elephant in Thailand and holding it hostage. During his getaway, he picked up a knife from a merchant, grabbed a baby elephant from a yard in the neighborhood and warned the police that if they did not leave him alone he would harm the elephant. Having called in a hostage-negotiation team, the police eventually offered Ben-Hamo a cigarette and he was then captured while lighting it. The elephant was returned ho...
2007-05-01 - Highlands Ranch, United States. Valerie Miller
The Carson & Barnes Circus and the Miller-Byrd families have established the Endangered Ark Foundation to provide for endangered species, and operate a breeding program for the extremely endangered Asian elephant. This facility had its grand opening and dedication in 2003. Three and half year old baby elephant, Obert, is very special to the circus family, as one of the highlights of this breeding program.
2007-05-01 - Tennessee, United States. Kim Lengal, Philadelphia Zoo
Elephant keeper Jen Robertson called to report that Dulary had an excellent night. The elephant "caravan" stopped to give everyone a rest right across the Tennessee border. The trailer pulled over in a convenient parking lot where Scott, the driver, and Dulary camped out for the night. Before she settled in, Dulary had a full meal of elephant pellets, carrots, beets, potatoes, apples, hay, and lots of fresh water.
2007-04-30 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. K. G. H. MUNIDASA
Over 50 years ago, this story concerning a she elephant at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens was published in the local press. Meena was a very docile animal and her keepers had no problem looking after her. But one day, she started to behave in an unusual manner. She strained at her fetters in obvious excitement as if trying to free herself. The crowds of visitors gave her wide berth, thinking that something unforeseen had befallen the poor beast. Meena behaved in this manner for over 36 hours.
2007-04-30 - Henrico County, United States. Tammie Smith
With outdoor seating, colorful balloons, a menagerie of animals and the smell of food grilling, it was more like a carnival than a church service at Discovery United Methodist Church yesterday. And when the Rev. Jim Lavender and associate pastor Raymond Rowley, dressed in their clergy robes, rode in on an elephant to start the morning service, it seemed like a ringmaster was about to start the show.
2007-04-30 - PHILADELPHIA, United States.
After 41 years at the Philadelphia Aoo, Dulary the elephant will be leaving Monday. Friends came to sign a going away card for Dulary, who is headed for retirement, because the zoo is closing its elephant exhibit, reacting in part to pressure from animal rights groups who believe they suffer in cramped enclosures. The departure of Dulary, after 41 years, is symbolic. Philadelphia's zoo is the nation's oldest, and when it opened in 1874 its first exhibit was an elephant.
2007-04-30 - Kalpetta, India.
A Census on wild elephants will be undertaken in Nilgiris biosphere, considered the most favourable habitat of the pachyderms in Asia, from May 6-8. It would be under the joint auspices of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu Forest and Wildlife Departments. The census will be held simultaneously in the forest regions of Mudumala, Bandipur National Park, Nagarholla National Park and Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary.
2007-04-30 - New Delhi, India.
The Centre is planning to allow the sale of domesticated live elephants, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Following requests by Assam, Kerala, Bihar and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the government is considering making necessary amendments to the Widelife (Protection) Act, 1972, to relax the prohibition on the sale of domesticated live elephants, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply.
2007-04-30 - New Delhi, United States.
After tigers and lions, it's the turn of elephants now. In the last three years at least 244 elephants were killed in the country, with around half of them falling to poachers. In 2003-04, poachers killed 53 elephants, they killed 25 the following year and 39 in 2005-06. Similarly, 52 jumbos were electrocuted in 2003-04, 54 in 2004-05 and 12 in 2005-06. Man-elephant conflict claimed seven elephants in the last three years and two were killed due to mining related activities in 2005-06. Orissa to...
2007-04-30 - Philadelphia, United States. Kim Lengal, Vice President of Conservation
Dulary is on her way to Tennessee! This morning after stretching her legs in her exhibit and taking a nice long morning drink, Dulary sauntered over to the open trailer and after a little hesitation, calmly walked up and into the trailer. Upon entering the trailer, she stood calmly eating her greens while her keepers said their good-byes and the rest of the staff bustled about getting everything in readiness for her departure.
2007-04-30 - Mesa, United States. Jon Johnson
An Ice Age fossilized skull discovered 20 miles southeast of Safford has, after several efforts, been removed from its home for the past 2.5 million years. The skull belongs to a rhynchotherium, an extinct mastodont relative of the elephant with four tusks. The rhychotherium died out during the Pleistocene Epoch at the beginning of the most recent Ice Age.
2007-04-30 - EDAYURVAYAL, India.
More than 50 people here will move to alternative settlements to facilitate a six-km elephant corridor connecting Kerala's Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Brahmagiri reserve in neighbouring Karnataka. Nine acres in the Tirunelli-Kudrakote area, where the Gowda community has been living for four generations, will be surrendered by the people to the forest department.
2007-04-30 - Hohenwald, United States. Kate Elliott, The Elephant Sanctuary
On Tuesday May 1, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee welcomes Dulary, an Asian elephant who is being retired from The Philadelphia Zoo. Forty-three years old, Dulary has spent her entire captive life at the zoo. She will be joining the Sanctuary’s ‘founding herd’ in the newly expanded Asian habitat. They will be the first Asian elephants Dulary has seen in many years. This brings the sanctuary's population to 19 elephants, all retired from circuses or zoos.
2007-04-30 - Dalma, India.
While the forest guards and the tribal hunters tried to outdo each other in Dalma wildlife sanctuary during Bishu Shikar, elephants emerged winners. The law-enforcers were out in full force to try and stop killing of animals. But tuskers did more damage to the revellers than the police. Several hunters gave up proceeding further after spotting tuskers with calves at the foothill.
2007-04-30 - TIRUCHI, India. Syed Muthahar Saqaf
The restive male elephant of Samayapuram Sri Mariamman Temple is likely to be shifted to the elephant camp at Top Slip. The authorities are reportedly awaiting a Government Order in this regard. The 18-year-old Mariappan has been portraying signs of `juvenile amuck' over the past few years, and the temple authorities recently sought the State Government's permission to hand it over to the Forest Department.
2007-04-29 - Kyodo, Japan.
Some 40 tons of illegally traded ivory was seized around the world in the two-year period through the end of 2006, Kenya and Mali said Saturday. The total includes some 3 tons confiscated at an Osaka port last year. While the amount implies the deaths of some 6,000 African elephants, the two countries estimate that nearly 40,000 elephants were killed during the two years; the seizures are seen as just the tip of the iceberg.
2007-04-29 - Hanoi, Vietnam.
50 years after its birth, Vietnamese circus seems to have come to a cul-de-sac. Old items, which used to be popular but are now unable to keep audiences awake are still being performed. The animal stock of the biggest circus troupe in the south isn’t very impressive either. There are only an old elephant, 4 skinny and tiny monkeys, and 5 or 6 dogs. It is yet an impossible dream to own such animals as tigers, lions or crocodiles.
2007-04-29 - Washington, United States.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will award more than $861,000 in international conservation grants that will help protect more than 15 species of animals in 18 countries, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced Friday. Species that will benefit include African elephants and rhinoceros, chimpanzees and Cross River gorillas, five species of sea turtles, the quetzal, puma, jaguar, and the maned wolf.
2007-04-29 - Thrissur, India.
The Elephant Lovers' Association on Saturday urged the Chief Secretary to conduct an investigation into incidents of elephants turning violent at the Thrissur Pooram. In a memorandum, the association alleged that Thiruvambadi Unnikrishnan, an elephant that ran amok, showed signs of musth.
2007-04-28 - Sragen, Indonesia.
A resident has discovered fossilized mammoth bones near where the fossil of a prehistoric crocodile was discovered at the Sangiran excavation site on Java on April 20. According to Gunawan, the fossilized mammoth (Stegodon trigonocephalus) was found by Daryanto, a resident of Dayu village in Gondangrejo district, Karanganyar regency. Gunawan, a staff member at the Sangiran Agency for the Preservation of Ancient Sites, said this latest discovery took place April 22, but was only reported to his o...
2007-04-28 - Samburu, Kenya. Mike Pflanz
Ancient elephant trails and lion breeding habitats are under threat from a series of hotels being built in a remote Kenyan game park, claim conservationists. Already there are five hotels in the two parks, where lions hide from the midday sun under acacia thorn bushes and families of elephants amble to drink from the Ewaso Nyiro river, which separates the reserves. Saba Douglas-Hamilton, the BBC wildlife presenter, said yesterday that the building must be stopped.
2007-04-28 - Gauhati, India.
A wild elephant killed a villager in India's remote northeast while another of the animals chased fishermen in a swamp, authorities said Saturday, as habitat destruction forces the elephants to seek food in populated areas. The elephant had been feeding near a bamboo grove when suddenly turned and attacked a villager returning home on a bicycle Friday night near Chakradeo, a village on the outskirts of Assam state's capital, Gauhati, said wildlife official S. Nath.
2007-04-28 - Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Phootson made sure everyone was kept awake while she groaned with labour pains. And no wonder her baby was a big one! The Royal Elephant Kraal is committed to breeding as many babies as possible. As of 28th April 2007 we have had 28 successful births since 2000. With more on the way. In the nursery right now we have 8 mothers and their babies that you can play with and care for.
2007-04-27 - KOLKATA, India.
Wildlife officials believe that the four-day elephant census that ended on Thursday will reveal a considerable increase in population in north Bengal where the elephant-human conflict is among the highest in the country. The last census in 2005 estimated the population at between 300 and 350, while it was around 280 in the one carried out two years earlier.
2007-04-27 - Thrissur, India.
Two elephants ran amok during Thrissur Pooram, a hugely popular elephant festival in Kerala. Tens of thousands of people had gathered in the temple city of Thrissur to witness the annual ''Pooram'' festival in which rival groups of 15 elephants were paraded amidst playing drums and mouth organs. However, all hell broke loose at around 4.30 pm (local time) when two elephants apparently became aggressive and ran about wildly, charging at frantic crowds that scattered to get out of their way.
2007-04-27 - Peoria, United States. Rachel Stein
Elephants, pythons, motorbikes, trapeze, it took three semis to get them here. The day starts with a bath for the elephants. Susie the elephant is listening to her trainer and following his signals. Garden Brother's President and Producer of Ian Garden said, "These three old girls that we have they're Asian females. They understand probably over a hundred different English words, commands."
2007-04-26 - Falls Church, United States. Nate Taylor
During a routine Google search for horse polo equipment in September 2005, Kimberly Zenz came across something entirely different: elephant polo. The future team captain called Falls Church resident Courtney Zenz, her younger sister and soon-to-be teammate, and informed her that they were starting an elephant polo team. In September 2006 the DC Pachyderms were playing their first tournament in Thailand. They placed second to last, beating the only other rookie team.
2007-04-26 - Lunugamvehera, Sri Lanka. Tharuka Dissanaike
Another elephant death was reported the week before from Lunugamvehera. There is no real count of the number of elephants that have died in this area after several failed drives by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The number can conservatively be put around 12 deaths both within and outside the park boundaries. Villagers in the area believe however that the number is much higher: We have lived for many centuries with elephants. We are not asking them to be driven away. But farmers need s...
2007-04-26 - Philadelphia, United States.
Three African elephants from the Philadelphia Zoo will be moved to the Pittsburgh Zoo's new conservation center. The elephants: Petal, 51; Kallie, 24; and Bette, 23 -- will be sent to the International Conservation Center in the Somerset County town of Fairhope in the fall, the zoos announced Thursday. The two younger elephants are still able to breed, and officials hope that's what will happen after the move. The Pittsburgh Zoo houses an adult bull, who is one of only four breeding African bull...
2007-04-26 - Kolkata, India. Bappa Majumdar
A government study in India has shown elephants prefer food crops to forest fodder and often travel hundreds of miles to the same farmland every year, even remembering specific months of harvesting. Elephants were adapting to new foods as their traditional habitat was shrinking due to villagers encroaching in forests, experts said after a four-year study on Asian elephants in West Bengal state.
2007-04-26 - Guwahati, India.
He uproots bettlenut trees at one punt, razes down thatched hovels or even solid walls at ease and smashes exploding crackers and burning twigs with its feet. Ganesh, the robust 9-tonne tusker, has been a constant source of terror to the inhabitants in and around the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district of upper Asom. The only succor to the people of this range is that Ganesh has never attacked a human directly.
2007-04-25 - Philadelphia, United States.
Dulary, the Philadelphia Zoo's Asian elephant, is almost ready to leave for her new home. This weekend (April 28 and 29) will likely be her last weekend in Philadelphia, so your family may want to visit her one more time to say good-bye. The Zoo staff will blog about her travels. Check out the first blog!
2007-04-25 - Thrissur, India.
After prolonged legal battles and uncertainty the famed Thrissur Pooram, the festival of festivals, will be staged here on April 27 and 28 with all traditional fervour and scintillating firework displays. In the next two days, Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, will be in the grip of ''Pooram fever'' and each and every person, irrespective of caste and religion, will work together for the smooth conduct of the festival.
2007-04-25 - Nairobi, Kenya.
African states called on Tuesday for a 20-year ban on trade in ivory to protect the continent's elephants from poachers and possible extinction in the wild. Kenya and Mali, which spearheaded the moratorium along with Togo and Ghana, are seeking to have the measure adopted at the June meeting of the 169-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), their representatives said at a meeting in Paris.
2007-04-25 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Hundreds of Buddhist monks led by at least nine elephants marched to parliament Wednesday to demand that Thailand's new post-coup constitution enshrine Buddhism as the national religion. "Buddhism is increasingly coming under threat," Thongchai Kuasakul, head of the Buddhists' Network of Thailand who led the march, said in a statement.
2007-04-25 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
The local Government in Indonesia will move about 10,000 people living in Bukit Barisan National Park, a protected habitat for the animals whose numbers on the island are fast diminishing. Villagers in the past have co-existed with the elephants in the 363,000ha park which has been declared a World Heritage Site.
2007-04-25 - Cologne, United States. Louisa Schaefer
Cologne's ego-centrism has won out. The "mini-phant" (as the city's Express readers had dubbed their little darling for the short term) is due to be christened "Ming Jung" on Wednesday, April 25. "Ming Jung," one might add, is the Cologne dialect expression for mein Junge, or "my boy." Only the people of Cologne could detect the symmetries between their city and the Orient.
The Philadelphia Zoo said Wednesday it will announce the new home for its three African elephants on Thursday. The fate of its four elephants has been hanging for more than six months since the zoo said it did not have the money to upgrade its pachyderm house. The African elephants were originally supposed to go to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, but last month Maryland officials said plans to build a new elephant exhibit had been delayed. The fourth, an Asian elephant, will go to a sanctuary in ...
2007-04-24 - Boulder, United States. Marc Bekof, University of Colorado
One of the hottest questions in the study of animal behavior is, Do animals have emotions? The simple answer is, Of course they do. Marc Bekoff is a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. All of this material is discussed in his book The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy—and Why They Matter (New World Library, California, 2007).
2007-04-24 - Sydney, Australia.
LOCKING trunks in a warm embrace, two of Taronga Zoo's Asian elephants splashed around in Sydney's rain yesterday. Male Gung was spotted with the mystery woman at their bath and the tryst has set trunks wagging. Gung has been spoilt for choice since moving to Sydney with the lady pachyderms Pornthip, Pak Boon, Tang Mo and Thong Dee.
2007-04-24 - Tulsa, United States. MIRANDA ENZOR
After nine long months of construction, the Tulsa Zoo opened its Elephant Demonstration Yard April 13. The Demonstration Yard was dedicated to Larry Nunley for his 32 years of service with the Tulsa Zoo. Besides giving the zoo a place to show off their Asian elephants, the Demonstration Yard also enhances compliance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards, the governing body for Tulsa Zoo, as it allows the zoo to provide its elephants with additional reserve areas to roam.
2007-04-24 - HARTFORD, United States.
A bill aimed at protecting circus elephants from abuse is continuing to lumber through the legislature. Today, the Judiciary Committee voted 22-17 in favor of the legislation, which makes it a crime to use any "implement or device" on an elephant that "may reasonably be expected" to harm the animal.
2007-04-24 - Ranchi, India. Amitabh Srivastava & Namita Tewari
Jharkhand wildlife authorities are all set to begin a census of elephants in the wildlife sanctuaries across the State, starting May 1. The census is crucial for Jharkhand where the relations between elephants and humans have turned bellicose with almost 650 people trampled to death by elephants during the last six years. Humans have killed close to 67 elephants during the same period either by electrocution (caused by the illegal electric fencing) or shooting them with poison-tipped arrows or b...
2007-04-24 - Thiruvananthapuram, United States.
The third synchronised census of elephants roaming the forests of four southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will be carried out from May 7 to 9. According to sources, there were about 21,300 elephants in India during the 2005 survey. Karnataka topped the list with about 4,500 elephants, followed by Tamil Nadu with around 4,000 and Kerala with 3,500.
2007-04-24 - Paris, France.
African states have called for a 20-year ban on trade in ivory to protect the continent's elephants from poachers and possible extinction in the wild. Kenya and Mali, which spearheaded the moratorium along with Togo and Ghana, are seeking to have the measure adopted at the June meeting of the 169-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), their representatives said at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday.
2007-04-23 - South Beach, Oregon, United States. Opa's Antiques
4 bids; current bid: US $529.99. All pieces are damage free with no repairs. All original paint present except two tiny spots on boy's arms. Elephant has red eyes; Keepers left arm moves. Children fit into saddle. Not original box.
2007-04-23 - Tucson, United States. BENJIE SANDERS
On April 23, 1982, Tucson got its first look at the Reid Park Zoo's new baby African elephant, a 585-pound, two-and-a-half-year-old female. Her name, chosen from over 400 entries submitted in a naming contest, was to be Shaba, the Swahili word for copper. Shaba, shown here with keeper Gale London, was replacing Sabu, who had to be put to sleep the previous year. After she got used to all her new surroundings, Shaba joined the zoo's other elephant, Connie, who is an Asian elephant.
2007-04-23 - Luangwa, Zambia.
A Zambian man has won a prestigious Goldman Prize for helping to curb widespread elephant poaching by setting up economic projects for villagers. Hammerskjoeld Simwinga wins $125,000 for the award, sometimes called the Nobel prize for the environment.
2007-04-23 - Antwerp, Belgium.
The Antwerp Zoo welcomed nine new elephants today, the wood and metal sculpture entitled "'You can buy my heart and my soul" that graced the beach at De Panne for six months last year as part of the Beaufort 2006 art project. The group will arrive at the Koningin Astridplein today, where they will point visitors the way to the zoo, as part of the zoo's "Year of the Elephant" theme. The sculpture will remain at that location until 30 September.
2007-04-23 - Udawalawe, Sri Lanka.
Ten elephant cubs who were brought up in Sri Lanka's 'Ath Athuru Sevana' interim elephant camp were released to the jungles today. The elephants were the seventh batch of their like to be released to the forest. The Ath Athuru Sevana interim elephant camp in Udawalawe has so far released 56 elephants into the jungle. All of them were orphan cubs who were found throughout the country and brought up there. The Wildlife Department monitors their lives even after they are released to the forest.
2007-04-23 - Baltimore, United States. Danielle Ulman
Even elephants need to pay attention to grooming now and then. That’s why Dolly and Anna, the African elephants at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, received pedicures last week. “Because they’re so big, their feet are more delicate. They hold so much weight that it’s important to maintain the health of their feet,” said Mike McClure, elephant collection manager at the zoo.
2007-04-22 - Malacca, Malaysia.
The Malacca Zoo is waiting the results of samples taken during the post-mortem of elephant calf Amid. Amid was found dead in his paddock at 7.30am on April 10. Since the zoo does not have the facilities to analyse and identify viruses or bacteria, the samples were sent to Universiti Putra Malaysia.
2007-04-22 - Denver, United States. Ann Schrader
An unusual first-ever project aims to recycle Denver Zoo's waste into energy. Inspiration came from the 75 tons of manure produced annually by elephants Dolly and Mimi. A gasification plant to superheat waste to generate electricity may cost $1.5 million. But it would cut the zoos overall electric use by 15 percent and heating bill by 17 percent, for an annual savings of $85,000 while reducing whats hauled to the dump by 450 tons.
2007-04-21 - Anantara, Thailand. Tricia Welsh
The camp at the Anantara is the northern extension of the TECC and offers visitors a range of activities with the elephants. These include bathing, driving lessons and adventure treks of various lengths, which combine to create a one, two or three-day mahout course. Director of elephants at the camp is Englishman John Roberts, who has been working with elephants for five years. He's passionate about his jumbo charges, and they seem to appreciate his concern, as do the six mahouts under his care....
2007-04-21 - West Palm Beach, United States.
Hilary Duff wearing a cute red dress and beige Christian Louboutins attended the "Night with the Raj" Polo Ball at International Polo Club Palm Beach, held on April 20, 2007 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Hilary seemes like she was having a lot of fun as she posed for photos with the elephants. One elephant reportedly even got a little frisky with her.
2007-04-20 - Cologne, Germany. Dan Koehl, Stephanie Wroben, Raesfeld, Germany
Today the young asian bulls Aung Bo and Aung Si, six and five yers old and both born in Emmen Zoo in Netherlands, left Cologne Zoo for Sevilla in Spain. Sevilla Exotic animals reserve Castillo de las Guardas in Spain has now 6 asian bulls between five and ten years, and no cows.
2007-04-20 - Altoona, United States. Jessica VanderKolk
Thad Graham and his girlfriend, Adrienne Ray, climbed the metal steps and onto an elephant’s back Thursday night in the Jaffa Shrine Circus ring, where Graham produced another, shinier ring. As the elephant circled the ring, circus administrator Bill Troxell handed Graham a microphone. “We’ve been together a long time now,” Graham, 19, began, turning around to look at Ray. “Our first date ever was at the circus.”
2007-04-20 - Lampung, Indonesia. Oyos Saroso H.N
The Lampung provincial government has announced plans to relocate residents of villages that have been attacked by elephants from South Bukit Barisan National Park. Wild elephants have killed seven people in the West Lampung and Tanggamus regencies in the last year, as well as destroying villages and crops.
2007-04-20 - Lucknow, India.
It is not just regular morning walk that Jaimala is enjoying these days. The elephant is also hogging all the attention and care in city zoo. And in toe follows the partner, Sumit. "Jaimala is due to deliver in June and we are trying from now on to make everything easy for her. Sumit and Jaimala are both taken out for morning walk around 7 am for an hour. We want the pair to be in the best of health", said Eva Sharma, zoo director.
2007-04-20 - New York, United States. www.hoax-slayer.com
The story claims that, when she appeared on the quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", Kathy Evans of Idaho "set a new standard for stupidity" when she could not answer a question that asked her to identify the largest item from a list comprising an elephant, the moon and a peanut. However, the incident described never happened. The article originates from BSNews.org, a satirical website that features fake news items on a variety of subjects.
2007-04-20 - Cheyenne Mountain, United States. Stephanie Ross
They are known as extremely intelligent animals. It is also said that an elephant never forgets. That's because they have better memories than we do. Kimba lives at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and she is amazing, very curious, very smart and very talented. Every girl loves a pedicure, and Kimba is no exception. A daily pedicure is just part of Kimba's beauty regimen, she also gets a daily scrub. And in order to keep her girlish 5 ton figure, she is exercised daily by her trainers.
2007-04-20 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
A love story is brewing in the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo where age it seems is no bar for a very special jumbo combo. The impossible love affair between 18-year-old Rajkumar and his 76-year-old sweetheart Maheshwari is blossoming into elephantine proportions. Rajkumar was sent to the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo by the Bombay High Court after it was found that his keepers in Mumbai could not manage him.
2007-04-19 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Jaime Ashworth
The Zimbabwe National SPCA is continuing its efforts to gain access to nine elephants being 'trained' by the travel company Shearwater Adventures. The nine are the survivors of a group of 12 captured from herds in the Hwange National Park in November 2006. In a January 2007 press release, Shearwater insisted that the ZNSPCA's claims that the elephants were being mistreated were untrue, claiming that their training methods were 'willing relationship[s] based on mutual trust and respect'.
2007-04-19 - Charleston, United States.
The elephant wash has become a tradition on opening day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which runs through Sunday at the Charleston Civic Center.
2007-04-19 - Guwahati, India.
Police confiscated a consignment of ivory from the cargo collection centre of Jet Airways near Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport today. Additional superintendent of police (city) Rajen Singh said elephant tusk weighing 1.8 kg was found inside a carton booked on a Calcutta-bound Jet Airways flight this morning. The accused were identified as Bikram Das and Mahabir Sharma. Sharma is the manager of Good Luck Courier Service while Das is an employee of Maruti Cargo Forwarder.
2007-04-18 - COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh.
Wild elephants straying into a village trampled two nine-year-old children to death in southeastern Bangladesh on Wednesday, police and forestry officials said. The victims, a boy and a girl, failed to escape when a herd of elephants swooped on their village near a forest at Ramu, 430 km (269 miles) southeast of the capital Dhaka. The elephants also destroyed five houses, uprooted trees and demolished standing crops.
2007-04-18 - Delft, Netherlands.
Scientists working for Royal Nedalco, the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and a firm called Bird Engineering have found a fungus in elephant dung that helped them break down fibres and wood into biofuel and produce a yeast which can efficiently ferment wood sugars. "We really see this as a technical breakthrough," business development manager Mark Woldberg from Royal Nedalco, a Dutch alcohol maker, told a biofuels conference on Wednesday.
2007-04-18 - Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dan Koehl
The bull Alexander born 1978 in Ramat Gan Zoo Israel (Motek x Warda) was relocated 17th April with police escort from Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam to three waiting females in Antwerp Zoo. All three cows are proven breeders, one even had twins.
2007-04-17 - Phalaborwa, South Africa. Nkosana ka Makaula
When an elephant charged an elderly couple on Saturday morning, the couple split up and ran in separate directions. The elephant chose to follow the woman, whose broken body was eventually found on Sunday afternoon. The attack took place at Grietjie near Phalaborwa, said Mopani area spokesperson Superintendent Moatshe Ngoepe.
2007-04-17 - Ranchi, India.
Jharkhand forest officials on Tuesday began a probe into the mysterious death of an elephant in the Bero Forests. Though veterinary doctors are conducting forensic tests, forest officials have refused to reveal details till the post mortem report comes.
2007-04-17 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
Entries are open to name the baby male African elephant born on March 18 at the Louisville Zoo. "People stop me all the time bubbling with excitement and say they have a name for the baby elephant," zoo director John Walczak said. "Well, now is the chance to name our big bundle of joy."
2007-04-17 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Southern African Development Community's (SADC) parks authorities are to meet to discuss a proposed ban on international trade in ivory. Parks and wildlife management authority heads from the region will meet in Botswana from Wednesday to Friday, to discuss Kenya's proposals for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
2007-04-17 - San Diego, United States.
ESCONDIDO, Calif.- An African elephant born last month at the San Diego Zoo has been named Impunga, zoo officials said Tuesday. His name (pronounced im-POON-gah) means "experienced adviser" in Swati, the official language of Swaziland. Impunga was born March 11, marking the third birth for a herd of seven African elephants rescued from culling in Swaziland and brought to the zoo's Wild Animal Park in 2003.
2007-04-16 - MANAS, India.
Six translocated elephant calves in the national park here are facing a threat, not from poachers but from blood-sucking parasites, prompting the authorities to drug them for temporary relief. Tabanus flies are found in abundance during this time of the year in Manas and there is hardly any place for the calves to wallow without getting bitten, said Bhaskar Choudhury of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), who is monitoring the elephant rehabilitation project.
2007-04-16 - Cologne, Germany. Dan Koehl
Sometime during the night to monday morning the 23 year old elephant Tong Koon gave birth to a male calf in Cologne Zoo. When the keepers left in the evening, there was no indication for birth, and next morning the 100 kgs heavy calf was there. Tong Koon was imported pregnant from Thailand.
2007-04-15 - Nairobi, Kenya.
Joachim Kagiri, the Kenya Wildlife Service deputy director is in charge of wildlife and community conservation. Kagiri dedicated his MBA thesis to the graceful African elephant, an unusual expression of his admiration and respect for the African Jumbo, and Kagiri made his bones fighting renegade Somali soldiers fleeing a collapsing Siad Barre regime and militia outfits setting up banditry and poaching careers in the wild vastness of Meru National Park.
2007-04-15 - London, United Kingdom. Laura Barton, THE GUARDIAN
The oldest known elephant reached the ripe old age of 86. Lin Wang was originally from Myanmar, and was captured in 1943 by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) army from Japanese troops, then transported to Taiwan in 1947. When he was captured, Lin Wang was nicknamed "the Beautiful", but in his later years the people of Taiwan knew him as "Grandpa Lin Wang." As his years increased, he developed arthritis in his left hind leg, and began to lose his appetite. One Wednesday morning in late February...
2007-04-15 - BANGALORE, India.
An extensive census of elephants roaming the forests of South India will be carried out from May 7 to 9. According to Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bangalore, Anur Reddy, forest officials of Karnataka along with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh will carry out a census of elephants for three days to estimate their numbers. Officials were carrying out a synchronised head-count of the pachyderms in view of their tendency to migrate across state borders.
2007-04-15 - Front Royal, United States. Brown JL, Somerville M, Riddle HS, Keele M, Duer CK, Freeman EW., Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park
Concentrations of serum testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine (free and total T4), triiodothyronine (free and total T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured to assess adrenal and thyroid function as they relate to testicular activity and musth in captive elephants. Data were generally inconclusive as to a role for thyroid hormones in male reproduction, but the finding of discrete patterns in bulls showing clear testosterone cycles suggests they may facilitate expression or control of ...
2007-04-14 - Tulsa, United States. ALTHEA PETERSON
Gunda, Sneezy and Sooky, the zoo's resident Asian elephants, will now roam the Elephant Encounters Demonstration Yard, as well as an expanded reserve. Jodi Koch, the zoo's public relations manager, said the the new yard gives the elephants 3,500 square feet more to explore. The reserve had 13,000 square feet added to accommodate the bull elephant, Sneezy. Overall, the project cost $550,000.
2007-04-14 - TIRUPATI, India.
The news of a bomb disposal squad in the SV Zoological Park here on Thursday had mediapersons rushing to the zoo only to find the squad members running their metal detectors on an elephant. Zoo Curator Pillai said that TTD bomb disposable squad were helping them see if there were any metal fragments left in the injured shoulder of the pachyderm.
2007-04-14 - Oregon, United States.
The Oregon Zoo is busy getting ready for a big event this weekend, its Packy the elephants 45th birthday. On Friday morning the zoos executive chef Paul Warner had lots of help from kids preparing the cake. It will be served Saturday afternoon at two. View a 1962 film of Packys birth
2007-04-13 - Kochi, India.
The Kerala High Court on Thursday modified its earlier order prohibiting parading of elephants from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in festivals with respect to the Thrissur Pooram and allowed the parading of elephants during the above timings during festivals on certain conditions. The court modified its order as it felt that the Pooram was not just a temple festival but a festival of all the people in Thrissur district. Besides, the secretaries gave the assurance that the elephants would be properly fed an...
2007-04-13 - Trivandrum, India.
Rajkumar, the new elephant in the City Zoo, found himself after travelling for the last six days among a group of elephant lovers, which included Minister M A Baby, and a host of mediamen when he arrived on Thursday. The happiest of the lot was perhaps Maheswari, the female elephant at the zoo who has been living alone for nearly 25 years now. Maheswari was left alone after Stanley, the male elephant in the zoo, was sent back to the forest a quarter century ago.
2007-04-13 - Mesa, United States.
One of Mesa's newest residents is a 2.4 million-year-old prehistoric mammoth. The huge beast has been transported from Safford to the Mesa Southwest Museum. Once paleontologists haul its giant skull to Mesa, the skeleton will become one of the largest pieces to date at the museum. The Rhynchotherium is an extinct elephant relative with four tusks that died out around the start of the Ice Age.
2007-04-13 - Portland, United States.
Children gathered at the Oregon Zoo Friday to help make and decorate a cake for Packy the elephant, who is turning 45 years old. The celebration continues with Packy's son, Rama, getting a turn in the spotlight. Rama will receive his own cake in the indoor gallery at 1 p.m. to mark his 24th birthday. Earlier in the morning, visitors have a chance to learn more about Rama during an elephant feeding and training demonstration focusing on his painting activities.
2007-04-13 - KENOSHA, United States.
Somewhere under John Hebior's 36 acres of cornfields rest the ancient bones of at least one woolly mammoth. But the 76-year-old retiree doesn't plan to excavate the fossils quite yet. "I'd like to sell this one first,'' he said, gesturing to about 20 boxes containing the carefully packed bones of a second mammoth unearthed from those fields 13 years ago.
2007-04-13 - Wiwatersrand, South Africa. Nondlela Maponya
WHAT makes an elephant hot? That apparently flippant question is the subject of a serious study by Wits masters student Philippa Hidden. Hidden, of the university’s Physiology Department, has completed a study of elephants thermoregulation (how they control their body temperature). The study was done on tame elephants in captivity. Using infrared pictures Hidden determined how elephants heated up and cooled down.
2007-04-13 - Atlanta, United States. EAZA
Zoo Atlanta is currently looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual who will compliment the current Elephant keeper staff. Keeper responsibilities include providing comprehensive animal care, animal training, enrichment, monitoring animal health, facilities and exhibit maintenance. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, formal and informal public presentations, special event programming, and assisting with behavioral research or conservation initiative...
2007-04-12 - Tiruvannamali, India.
The Annamalayar temple elephant, Rukku, was diagnosed for minor eye ailment, keratitis, by experts from Madras Veterinary College (MVC). Dr C Ramani, ophthalmic surgeon and Dr Jaya Thangaraj, Wild Life Sciences professor, both from MVC, checked the animal on Tuesday, along with Dr Pon Koothan, Regional Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) and Dr VS Ramachandran, Assistant Director (Animal Husbandry), Tiruvannamalai.
2007-04-12 - Hamburg, Germany. Dan Koehl
Elephant Lai Sinh delivered wednesday morning a female elephant baby, her first succesful after the stillbirth in 2003. Father is the 34 year old bull Hussein. Theres now altogether 11 elephants in Hagenbecks Zoo, celebrating 100 years.
2007-04-12 - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India.
District collectors have been directed to collect on an urgent basis all relevant information regarding elephants in each district. As part of this, collectors will soon issue notices to owners to present their elephants before the district magistrate and get it registered.
2007-04-12 - Salinas, United States. MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
Charlie Sammut own Vision Quest Ranch in Salinas, a 51-acre facility that houses everything from a pet kennel to an exotic animal sanctuary to a horse stable. Sammut's pride and joy are his four elephants, Buffy, Butch, Christy and Paula. They sleep in a barn at night, and after their morning bath, roam a large field. Christy and Paula are new additions from an East Coast circus, and Sammut is busy trying to raise money to keep them. He needs at least $250,000 for all four to live comfortably, a...
2007-04-12 - Bukoba, Tanzania. MEDDY MULISA
At least one elderly woman, Salome Bebwa (70), was trampled to death at Rwensheke Village when a herd of about 200 elephants broke from the Burigi Game Reserve over the weekend and drove through Rujoka, Kabale and Omukaliro villages, destroying crops and raining mayhem over panic stricken villagers, the District Natural Resources Officer, Mr Rama Massele, said.
2007-04-12 - Madurai, India.
Project elephant, a Central government-sponsored scheme to protect elephants, was formally inaugurated in Tamil Nadu last evening when veterinary doctors of Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary planted a microchip on an elephant at the Sri Meenakshi temple here. Other elephants in the city, including those of the Sri Koodal Azhagar temple, Tiruparankunram and Kallazhagar temples and elephants in private hands would have microchips fixed behind their left ears.
2007-04-12 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
An elephant has trampled its longtime trainer Koidin, 40, who died of severe head of chest injuries, at a tourist resort in the Indonesian province of Central Java, local media reported Thursday. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at a resort in Tegal district, about 300 kilometres east of Jakarta, reported detik.com online news service.
2007-04-12 - Denver, United States. Todd Hartman
Zookeepers at the Denver Zoo have sustained 45 animal-inflicted injuries in the past five years, according to records provided Wednesday to the Rocky Mountain News. The injuries were delivered by an array of species, including an elephant, hogs, several types of birds, an otter, a bighorn sheep, a mongoose - even a small anteater. The injuries range from cuts, bruises and scratches to bites on fingers, hands and legs, to cases where animals struck keepers with horns or elbows.
2007-04-12 - Arlington, United States. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Press Release 07-038
Scientists have confirmed the existence of protein in soft tissue recovered from the fossil bones of a 68 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) and a half-million-year-old mastodon. Their results may change the way people think about fossil preservation and present a new method for studying diseases in which identification of proteins is important, such as cancer.
2007-04-12 - VANCOUVER, Canada.
Environment Canada has laid 4 charges against Yuk Ming Ho of Richmond, British Columbia for alleged violations of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). It is alleged that in March 2005, Mr. Ho unlawfully imported into Canada African Elephant ivory which had been exported from Hong Kong without a permit, an alleged importation violation in contravention of WAPPRITTA. Mr. Ho also faces a charge of possession of African Eleph...
2007-04-12 - Wilmington, United States.
The Cole Brothers Circus is in Wilmington for the Azalea Festival. One of the circus's feature attractions is Tina and Jule, two elephants that have performed with the circus for years. Elephant trainer William Jacobs says the twin giants have been a target for animal rights groups, who say the exotic animals do not belong in the circus. But Jacobs disagrees, saying, "You cannot judge people because of someone's misfortune.
2007-04-12 - Guadalupe, United States.
Paleontologists on the Central Coast unveil a rare pre-historic find. For the next three months, people can visit the Guadalupe Museum to view the fossil of a mastodon. The preserved remains were found in Arroyo Grande. Right now, a team of scientists continue to search for more remains.
2007-04-12 - Philadelphia, United States. Marianne Bessey, spokeswoman for Friends of Philly Zoo Elephants
IN HIS column "Save the Elephants!", Michael Smerconish expressed great concern about the animals' departure from the Philadelphia Zoo. Unfortunately, his concern is not about saving elephants, but about preserving his family's opportunity to view an elephant in a zoo. Mr. Smerconish is obviously a zoo-goer, and zoos like to claim they are educational, but Mr. Smerconish clearly hasn't been educated about elephants, or he'd know that elephants are very social and that family is everything to the...
2007-04-12 - Philadelphia, United States. josh cornfield
Marianne Bessey claims it was only a poor attempt at satire when she made threats toward the director of the Philadelphia Zoo, saying in an Internet message board post that Alexander “Pete” Hoskins could die very soon. The zoo, however, wasn’t amused, banning the animal-rights activist from the premises and filing a police report against her. The leader of the Friends of Philly Zoo Elephants, which has campaigned for the relocation of the zoo’s elephants to a sanctuary in Tennessee, Bess...
2007-04-12 - Beverly Hills, United States. Lourdes Salvador
Most people agree that human beings experience various emotions. Perhaps one of the most amazing expressions of emotion is that of an elephant remembering a deceased mother. Susan McCarthy (1995) stated in her book "When elephants weep":Elephants are indifferent to the bones of other species, but will stop and even detour to examine the bones of elephants, which they handle and look at carefully.
2007-04-12 - Jacksonville, United States.
2007-04-11 - Atlanta, United States. MARK DAVIS
No one knows that better than the people who greet each morning, shovel in hand, as they scoop up ...Call them the poop patrol, those bold souls who trail behind the three elephants at Zoo Atlanta, scraping up those smelly mounds that invariably trail a pachyderm's path. Three or more times daily, they shovel hundreds of pounds of elephant dung — nearly a ton a day, about 600 pounds per beast, an Everest of excrement. It winds up as compost, courtesy of a Carroll County businessman who recycle...
2007-04-11 - Chettuva, India.
The owner of a rogue elephant that ran amok on Sunday killing a mahout and injuring over a dozen other people in Keralas Thrissur district has defended the animals sudden change of behaviour. The tusker's owner believes provocation was the only reason his pet reacted in such a manner. Its actually a very tame elephant... even a child can go near it. But it got violent the other day because another elephant provoked it.
2007-04-11 - Singapore, Singapore. Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore Zoo's elephant Chawang has had his semen quality tested and results showed his sperm count is good. Chawang, the largest and heaviest animal at the zoo, is almost 3 metres tall and weighs 3,480kg. He has already sired three elephants. Zoos in Australia, like the one in Perth, have shown interest in taking samples of Chawang's semen to impregnate their female Asian elephants. But no plans have been confirmed yet.
2007-04-11 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Forest Minister Benoy Viswom has convened a high-level meeting in the wake of an elephant goring to death a mahout during a local festival at Chettuva near Thrissur on Sunday, as a person was taken into custody for allegedly pelting stones at the elephant during a parade by 11 tuskers at the festival.
2007-04-11 - Kerala, India.
Kerala High Court asks the state government to strictly enforce Captive Elephants Management and Maintenance Rules 2003. It has also directed that elephants should not be made to participate in religious processions between 11 am and 3 pm. The High Court direction comes in the wake of the Thrissur incident on Sunday in which a mahout was killed by elephant at a temple festival.
2007-04-11 - SILIGURI, India. Statesman News Service
A bull elephant was killed in a hit-by-a-train accident near the Atiabari Tea Estate level crossing in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (West division) early this morning. It was the seventh pachyderm to die in similar circumstances ever since the stretch between Siliguri and Alipurdar underwent gauge conversion four years ago.
2007-04-11 - Mumbai, India.
Posing next to the tagline "Beaten, Shackled, Abused- Elephants Don't Belong in Zoos," actor Rahul Khanna stars in a brand-new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India,. In the ad Rahul Khanna is shown shackled in chains, with bruises painted onto his body. The ad has been shot by top photographer Colston Julian.
2007-04-10 - New Delhi, India. KUMARAN SATHASIVAM
The thorough research and compilation of data that has gone into the book makes it a valuable source of reference for all professionals involved in the study and upkeep of elephants. It has a lot of information on the fascinating animal for the general reader as well, though the writing style may slow down the reading. Foundation Books Pvt. Ltd., Cambridge House, 438/4, Ansari Road, New Delhi-110002.
2007-04-10 - Guangzhou, China.
Hussein Yahya Al-Asri from Yemen went on trial in the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in south China's Guangdong Province on Monday on charges of smuggling ivory. Al-Asri, an 27-year-old businessman, was charged after customs discovered 60.73 kilograms valued at 3.5 million yuan (0.45 million U.S. dollars) in his luggage at the Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou on June 7, 2006.
2007-04-10 - Philadelphia, United States. Carolyn Davis
The Philadelphia Zoo should keep two of its elephants, even if they are bored, even if they cannot roam the savannas, woodlands and forests of Africa or Asia, even if captivity means a shortened life. It's worth the trade-off if Kallie, Bette or Petal stay to fire the imagination of children and educate young and old about wildlife and the importance of conservation.
2007-04-10 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Stressed out elephants in Keralas Thrissur have become a cause for concern. An elephant ran amok and killed its mahout during an elephant show at a school near Thrissur district on Sunday, prompting state authorities to re-think where these elephants can now be used. While elephants have always been a part of temple traditions, authorities want their participation in political and social functions to be brought down. The elephant killed its mahout, TDM Unni and injured 24 persons during the show...
2007-04-09 - THRISSUR, India.
Elephant Vinayan killed its first mahout Unni from Kuttippuram during the Chandanakkudam procession at Chettuva on Sunday afternoon. Police said that during the procession in which 13 tuskers were being paraded, elephant Vinayan attacked another tusker and ran amok. The frenzied tusker threw away Unni, while he was trying to bring the elephant under control. Unni died on the spot.
2007-04-09 - Manhattan, United States. Brooklyn Eagle
Crowds of New Yorkers were at the docks on April 9, 1882 when a transatlantic steamer arrived from England. They were there to welcome P.T. Barnum’s newest “oddity” to the U.S. From the ship’s hold came Jumbo, probably the largest bush elephant ever held in captivity. At the age of 16, his height at the shoulder was estimated at 11'6'. He weighed 6½ tons. As Jumbo made his way from the New York docks to his new quarters at Madison Square Garden a large crowd of spectators joined the par...
2007-04-09 - Ramat-Gan, Israel.
A videofilm showing the african bull Yossi killing the female "matriarch" Atari 3rd of April in Ramat-Gan safari in Israel. It sure looks like he influenced by musth hormones.
2007-04-08 - Cooch Behar, India.
Census of wild elephants in North Bengal will begin on April 23, a senior forest department official said here on Saturday. To protect the bio-diversity of the region, such exercises are crucial, the official said elaborating the need about the elephant census. In the 2005 census, the number of wild elephants was 350, against the number of 292 in 2000.
2007-04-08 - Pune, India.
An elephant, a rose-ringed parakeet, 38 doves and pigeons were rescued from the premises of Chokhi Daani, a resort run by the Goel Ganga group of builders on Pune-Ahmednagar road in a raid by forest officials and activists of People for Animals on Saturday night. The operation was co-ordinated by animal rights activist and former union minister Maneka Gandhi.
2007-04-07 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Gagani Weerakoon
Amidst reports of an unprecedented number of elephants dying of starvation at the Lunugamwehera National Park, the government yesterday launched a full scale probe into the death of a wild elephant due to negligence by wildlife officials. Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told the Daily Mirror it was reported that three officials had failed to take swift action to save the elephant stuck in a cesspit on Wednesday as they were ‘watching a world cup cricket match, despite continuous ...
2007-04-07 - Mumbai, India.
Subsequent to the orders of the Bombay High Court, Rajkumar—the male elephant at Veermata Jijamata Prani Sanghralaya (Byculla Zoo), was dispatched on Saturday evening to the zoo in Thiruvanantapuram, Kerela. The eighteen-year-old elephant was in Byculla Zoo for the past eight years in forced celibacy, since the two female elephants the zoo houses are ageing.
2007-04-07 - Galt, United States. Janice Clark, PAWS
Nicholas and Gypsy arrived on April 2nd, to their new home. Galt, California is noted for a unique adobe clay terrain which makes a mud that elephants love. PAWS photographer, Janice Clark, has been racing out of her office, camera in hand, when the elephant bath routine begins, trying to capture the grunts, trumpets and acrobatics as the two elephants tumble in the mud.
2007-04-06 - PULPPALLI, India.
The Forest Department is providing treatment for a female wild elephant which collapsed in the farm of Neduthanath Anto, at Chamapara here. The animal is said to be seriously ill and was found on Tuesday morning. Veterinary expert Dr.Satheesh is treating the elephant which is about 60-years old.
2007-04-06 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
THE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority this week lifted the temporary suspension on ivory sales and sold a tonne worth $225 million on Monday. The ban, effected last year, was meant to scrutinise operations of ivory dealers ahead of an inspection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
2007-04-06 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
The middle-aged British couple hurt in a fall from an elephant in Hartbeespoort on Thursday have been transferred to the Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg. Lorna and Michael Denyard, both in their 50s, were transferred "on request", said Craig Saunders, the owner of The Elephant Sanctuary, where the incident occurred.
2007-04-06 - Los Angeles, United States. Jennifer Steinhauer
Somewhere amid the rolling suitcases, plastic baggies filled with lip gloss, laptops, skis and other sundry items streaming through Los Angeles International Airport, there are, occasionally, rare butterflies, elephant tusks, sea turtle eggs and, in one case, a pair of pygmy monkeys, stuffed down the pants of an incoming passenger. Wildlife smuggling is the nation’s second-largest black market, just behind narcotics, accounting for $8 billion to $10 billion a year in sales, said Joseph O. John...
2007-04-06 - Arlington, United States. Dr. Michelle Gadd, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Dear Colleagues, I would like to encourage you to submit proposals for elephant conservation projects to the 2007 USFWS African Elephant Conservation Fund as soon as possible. Proposals received by MAY 31, 2007 will be fully evaluated for funding before the US Government fiscal year ends in September. Now is an ideal time to apply for any field work taking place in the second half of 2007 or any time in 2008. While we will continue to accept proposals on a rolling basis, we cannot guarantee tha...
2007-04-05 - Thiruvananthapuram, India. Akhel Mathew
One of them, Avittathur Murali, recently collapsed in Kumbalam near Kochi, which animal lovers say was because the animal was not given proper healthcare and also because it was made to walk for long on tarred roads, leading to dehydration. In an encouraging development, forest minister Binoy Viswam has said the government would be forced to take action if elephant owners and mahouts do not follow the conditions laid down for utilising animals for processions and other functions.
2007-04-05 - Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
A British man and wife were critically hurt when they fell off an elephant at a sanctuary in Hartbeespoort on Thursday afternoon, said ER 24. The woman was sitting behind her husband on the elephant when it knelt to let them climb off after a safari, said spokesperson Werner Vermaak. "The lady and her husband then fell forward and plummeted from the elephant's back right onto the ground. "Both of them sustained multiple fractures and severe injuries," he said.
2007-04-04 - Ramat-Gan, Israel. Reuben Weiss
Around 2 pm, toward closing time, Yossi, the 33-year-old male African elephant attacked 46-year-old Atari, brutally slamming her against the yards wall. The blow caused her to fall to the ground, and left her groaning for a few moments before dying. The elephant keepers quickly arrived at the scene and removed Yossi, making way for the safaris veterinarian Yigal Horowitz to approach Atari, only to pronounce her dead. It was a death in the family, elephant-keeper Izik Franko was quoted by Israels...
2007-04-04 - Bahamas, United States. Juan McCartney
Circus Maximus elephant trainer Francine Schact is the keeper of a 33-year-old female elephant named Ghandi. "My father worked for the San Diego zoo, and loved animals and taught me to love them as well," Mrs. Schact said. "We got Ghandi from Thailand. Her parents were used for labour in a lumberyard. The yard had a surplus of offspring and if they did not sell her she would have been destroyed. She was nine months old."
2007-04-04 - Santa Barbara, United States. Mary Vanderpool
Dr. Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell (pictured), a research associate from Stanford University and elephant enthusiast, presents groundbreaking new evidence that earth’s largest land animal uses its feet to detect soundwaves that travel through the ground at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Fleischmann Auditorium tomorrow night, Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m..
2007-04-04 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Leon Marshall
Environment ministers from five southern African countries plan to turn a 110,833-square-mile (287,132-square-kilometer) chunk of land into a massive cross-border conservation zone. The proposed parkland—spanning an area about the size of Nevada—would vastly increase roaming space for Africa's biggest elephant herd.
2007-04-04 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
When a 285-pound elephant calf breaks into a trot, his four legs look like they are going in four different directions. “He’s still trying to figure out how to use all his parts, including his trunk,” said Dave Campbell, the Louisville Zoo’s elephant area supervisor. Zoo Director John Walczak said the baby, who will get a name in a public contest to be announced soon, “will be a wonderful ambassador.”
2007-04-04 - Amersfoort, Netherlands.
A newborn baby elephant in Amersfoort zoo has been trampled to death by its mother Indra. The incident was recorded live on webcam. Zoo officials said pain can make elephants aggressive.
2007-04-03 - Srinagar, India. Bashaarat Masood
Seven years after an archaeological excavation found a 50,000-year-old mammoth skull near Srinagar, the fossil with its large tusk has gone missing. The mammoth skull has been stolen, said Prof Abdul Majeed, who first found the fossil during an excavation in 2000. I was shocked when I visited the site today. Both the skull and the tusk are missing. I fear it has been smuggled out to be sold in the international market, he said.
2007-04-03 - Bangkok, Thailand.
The Thai National Elephant Institute (TNEI) plans to offer the country's elephant born as a result of artificial insemination to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a gift on his 80th birthday on December 5 this year. The female baby elephant – which is going to celebrate her one-month birthday this Saturday, was separated from her mother, because the mother showed some hostile signs against her first baby.
2007-04-03 - Brazzaville, Congo. Blake S, Strindberg S, Boudjan P, Makombo C, Bila-Isia I, Ilambu O, Grossmann F, Bene-Bene L, de Semboli B, Mbenzo V, S'hwa D, Bayogo R, Williamson L, Fay M, Hart J, Maisels F.
Most African savannah elephant populations are well known; however, the status of forest elephants, perhaps a distinct species, in the vast Congo Basin is unclear. We assessed population status and incidence of poaching from line-transect and reconnaissance surveys conducted on foot in sites throughout the Congo Basin. Results indicate that the abundance and range of forest elephants are threatened from poaching that is most intense close to roads.
2007-04-02 - Washington, United States.
Officials at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park are hoping that the artificial insemination of an Asian elephant is successful. Scientists from the Smithsonian's Zoo and from Germany artificially inseminated one of the zoo's Asian elephants this weekend. They've performed two of three attempts.
2007-04-02 - Kollam, India.
The birth of a baby elephant in Kollam district of Kerala is creating waves. Kerala has about 800 captive elephants but new arrivals among elephants are few and far between. Less than 24 hours after its birth, the baby elephant has become the cynosure of all eyes. Mother Lakshmi however is possessive about her little one. So, barring the owner, Shaji, no one else is allowed to go anywhere near the baby. Shaji, whose family owns 17 elephants, is elated over the new member in his elephant yard.
2007-04-02 - South Shields, United Kingdom. Kaye Henry
A PAIR of veterinary nurses are taking a trip to Thailand to do voluntary work with rescued elephants. Caroline Dorney and Joanne Hughes, of the Blythman and Partners practice in Boldon Lane, South Shields, plan to head east next month. The animal lovers will spend two weeks at an elephant rescue centre near Cha Am on the south-east coast of central Thailand.
2007-04-02 - Phuket, Thailand. ROBIN PASH
A real elephant ride! And that's after a day-long speedboat sojourn, unlimited pool play, and thrice-daily bouncing, breezy tuk-tuk trips. We enjoyed boating and snorkelling around the gorgeous Phi-Phi islands and the hour-long ride through a rubber plantation on graceful Mali, the 27-year-old elephant, was enjoyed as much by father as it was by son.
2007-04-02 - Mahalapye, Botswana. MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Three elephants whose tracks were spotted in the Tswapong and Mahalapye areas last week may have followed their ancient route to their former habitat, according to the Central District Council (CDC) senior wildlife biologist, Balisana Marotsi. Consequently, two of the three jumbos were killed by game scouts of the Department of Wildlife on March 22, some 10 kilometres south of Mahalapye.
2007-04-02 - Worcester, United Kingdom. Ellen Branagh
INQUESTS into deaths of a mother and daughter who were trampled by elephants in Zimbabwe are set to open in Stourport-on-Severn tomorrow. Worcestershire county coroner Victor Round will open inquests into the deaths of Veronica Parker, aged 47, and her daughter Charlotte Parker, aged 10, both of Forest Garden, Hunters Home, in South Africa.
2007-04-02 - Rodriguez, Philippines. Carmie O. Carpio
The barely four-year-old Avilon Zoo can already pass for an authentic wildlife encounter. The natural wonderland holds a lot of promise. Right now, it is not yet 100% complete as more structures are still being built, including an amphitheater and a chapel. Bigger animals are yet to be accommodated: the giraffe, rhinoceros and zebra, but we heard that the elephant will soon be on its way.
2007-04-02 - Bronx, United States. Natalie Bouaravong
A new study from Stephen Blake, Samantha Strindberg, Fiona Maisels, and colleagues warns that while savannah elephants may indeed be rebounding—in part because they live in countries with long histories of wildlife management, where protection is facilitated by open plains habitats and usually good infrastructure—their forest relatives, hidden in the Congo Basin rainforests, still face intense poaching pressure.
2007-04-02 - GALT, United States.
The Performing Animal Welfare Society, also known as “PAWS” is welcoming 3 big new animals to their facilities. 2 of the new elephants arrived in Galt on Monday and one more is on the way. Now these former big performing animals will have a big place to run free. It was a quick 3 day drive from Chicago to Galt for 13-year-old Nicklaus and 40-year-old Gypsy.
2007-04-01 - Mumbai, India. Nitya Kaushik
Only two tuskers in the city have been digitally tagged, almost six months after the state forest department, Thane division, launched its grand plan to implant elephants with microchips in an effort to stop unlicenced entry. Their lackadaisical approach has prompted the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) to take matters into their hands.
2007-04-01 - KOLLAM, India.
An elephant on Saturday killed its second mahout at Sasthamcotta while it was engaged in removing timber. Podimon, 35, of Modioozhathil, Kidangannoor, Vallana, Aranmula, is the deceased. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon when the tusker was brought to remove timber for a private person near the Muthupilakkad Parthasaradhi temple near Sasthancotta.
2007-04-01 - Lunugamvehera National Park, Sri Lanka. Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Is the very move – relocating elephants in the national parks – aimed at protecting these majestic animals killing them? Several of the elephants, about 250 herded into the Lunugamvehera Park, under two phases of an elephant drive that began in 2005, may have died for lack of food, resulting in malnourishment and disease, The Sunday Times learns, after a visit to the area this week. What will be the fate of the remaining elephants, considering that the dry season is just starting?
2007-04-01 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Mike Cadman
The report, Consuming Wildlife: The Illegal Exploitation Of Wildlife In South Africa, Zimbabwe And Zambia, also details increased elephant poaching in Zimbabwe and Zambia and quotes extensively from a document compiled by the governments of Kenya and Mali, which claims that more than 40 tons of ivory has been confiscated worldwide during the past two years. More than 13 tons of the ivory is believed to have come from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
2007-04-01 - Sydney, Australia. Pia Akerman
In the shade of an acacia tree in Kenya 15 years ago, artistic inspiration came to Mario Andreacchio as he watched frolicking baby elephants. "Watching these elephants play, I thought, 'Hang on, there's a film in that'," Andreacchio said. These days, the Emmy Award-winning Australian filmmaker is the king of the baby animal genre after making his name with Napoleon, a 1995 film about a golden retriever puppy lost in the outback.
2007-04-01 - Portland, United States. Katy Muldoon
The veterinarian drilled. The dentist chiseled. They both pried and pulled. Finally, after more than 3½ hours of surgery today on a beloved Oregon Zoo elephant, the two men rose to their feet and slapped their right hands in a bloody high five. Theyd just removed the final piece of a difficult puzzle: a 10-inch-long chunk of rock-hard tusk and dentin from high inside the pachyderms skull. At last, Tusko was tusk-free.
2007-03-31 - KOCHI, India. K.S. Sudhi
Kerala, the home to most number of captive elephants, is fast becoming their torture ground as well. Parading the animals in musth, stretching their working hours beyond reasonable limits, provocation by public and cruelty by mahouts are driving the elephants to madness. K.C. Panicker, secretary of the Elephant Welfare Association, said the incidents of elephants running wild could be controlled if the elephants in musth were not paraded.
2007-03-31 - Madurai, India.
The temple elephant, ailing for the past few days and undergoing treatment here, died today despite efforts of the doctors to save it. The elephant, Angayarkanni, belongs to the Sri Meenakshi Amman temple. Veterinary doctors, who treated the 41-year-old elephant for the past three days, said they did their best to save the elephant which suffered from a series of problems including liver and kidney failure, chronic osteo arthritis, and indigestion.
2007-03-31 - Chicago, United States. Lacasse C, Terio K, Kinsel MJ, Farina LL, Travis DA, Greenwald R, Lyashchenko KP, Miller M, Gamble KC. , Lincoln Park Zoo
Mycobacterium szulgai was associated with mortality in two captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) housed at Lincoln Park Zoo. The first elephant presented with severe, acute lameness of the left rear limb. Despite extensive treatments, the animal collapsed and died 13 mo after initial presentation. Necropsy revealed osteomyelitis with loss of the femoral head and acetabulum and pulmonary granulomas with intralesional M. szulgai. The second elephant collapsed during transport to another i...
2007-03-30 - San Antonio, United States. EAZA
The San Antonio Zoo currently has a need for a Zoo Keeper in our Elephant Department. Duties include daily cleaning, feeding, and maintenance of animal exhibits. Zoo Keepers observe, evaluate, and report animal behavior and condition to their supervisor on a daily basis. They assist in treating Zoo animals in accordance with instructions from their supervisor or veterinarian.
2007-03-30 - Portland, United States.
The 6.75-ton, 35-year-old bull elephant spent 14 years with a broken tusk. Nearly all of the left tusk was removed during a February operation, but the team was unable to remove a chunk of compacted, hard dentin tissue in the deep part of the tusk cavity. Sunday, the last few inches of tusk will be removed. While the operation is risky, Finnegan says the risks are outweighed by Tusko's discomfort and the overall threat the chronic infection poses to his long-term health.
2007-03-30 - Colchester, United Kingdom.
Unfortunatly, there is great concern surrounding Rosa the elephant at the moment. Rosa has been on treatment for the last two years for the pain that she has been suffering from inoperable problems with her vagina and urinary tract. Unfortunately, this pain relief is no longer proving effective and we are awaiting a decision from our veterinary consultants as to the best course of action.
2007-03-30 - Durban, South Africa. Delsink AK, van Altena JJ, Grobler D, Bertschinger HJ, Kirkpatrick JF, Slotow R. Amarula Elephant Research Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal
An immunocontraceptive programme was initiated in a small free-roaming population of elephants at the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province in 2000 to determine whether the porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccine can successfully control population sizes. Further objectives were to determine implementation costs and efficiency through a multi-faceted approach. We have demonstrated that immunocontraception meets the objectives set by managers in the field.
2007-03-29 - Pittsburgh, United States.
Seing a pregnant elephant is one thhing. Seing inside an elephants womb is something completely different.
2007-03-29 - Philadelphia, United States. Michael Smerconish
THERES an elephant in the room, and if we dont hurry up and talk about her, shell likely end up in the Volunteer State. Her name is Dulary. These must be her final days in Philadelphia because last week I received an invite to her Farewell Celebration at the Philadelphia Zoo. When I mentioned Dularys celebration to one of my sons, he said, Its not a zoo unless it has elephants. Hes right. We should exhaust every option before allowing the elephants to leave town.
2007-03-29 - Little Rock, United States. Leslie Newell Peacock
The plans, which Little Rock Zoo Director Michael Blakely notes are only a draft, call for buying 320 acres of the 330 acres Scott and Heidi Riddle own, their buildings and equipment and the 13 elephants now kept there. The group would pay $800,000 immediately and the rest over seven years. The Riddles, who have operated the elephant refuge since 1990, would work with the Elephant Center for five months after the sale under contract. The continued involvement of Scott Riddle, a controversial fig...
2007-03-29 - New Delhi, India. Aman Sharma
It is double windfall for elephant-owners in the Capital. With Bahaujan Samaj Party (BSP) fighting the Delhi MCD elections and the Assembly elections in UP, slated to start in another 10 days, BSP candidates have made a beeline for hiring elephants, their party symbol, as the crowd-puller during campaign. Elephant owners say they are booked for the entire next month and the charges for letting out elephants for election purpose has risen to as much as Rs 10,000 per day.
2007-03-29 - Portland, United States. JIM DEVER
Northwest photographer Gerry Ellis has documented the rescue and rehabilitation of numerous baby elephants in his book, Wild Orphans. Its an extraordinary story that takes Gerry from the basement of his Portland, Oregon home to a remote wildlife orphanage in Nairobi, Africa, where he meets a group of motherless elephants he calls the Orphan Eight.
2007-03-28 - El Paso, United States. Monica Balderrama
Tuesday, the elephants Juno and Savannah slept in a barn at the zoo, where it seems they'll stay permanently. El Paso City Council voted 6-2 to keep them in the El Paso Zoo. On Tuesday, the new zoo director, Steve Marshall, told city council the zoo is fit to have two Asian elephants in its collection and it should continue to be involved with elephants in the future. He even said he's working on getting a third elephant.
2007-03-28 - Oregon, United States. KATY MULDOON
Veterinarians expect to take another crack at removing what's left of the elephant's infected tusk in an operation Sunday at the Oregon Zoo. About six weeks ago, they sawed, drilled and chiseled out perhaps 95 percent of his left tusk during an elaborate procedure lasting nearly five hours.
2007-03-28 - New York, United States.
It was a circus in the streets of New York City early Wednesday morning: Elephants from Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus marched through the Queens Midtown Tunnel to Madison Square Garden. The elephants were taken on their cross-city walk for the circus, which begins performances this weekend.
2007-03-27 - NEW DELHI, India.
Assam and Kerala, besides other states, have asked the Centre to help them take care of a jumbo-sized problem. They want the Union ministry of environment and forests to legalise and simplify rules for the sale of almost 3,500 captive elephants in the country. This would bring above board the illegal trade of elephants, which is taking a toll on domestic elephants as well as their owners. At present the transfer of elephants is governed by a complicated and cumbersome set of rules that has pushe...
2007-03-27 - PHNOM PENH, Cambodia.
Thieves in Cambodia poisoned a 62-year-old domesticated elephant and sawed off its tusks to sell on the black market, officials said Tuesday. The male elephant was found dead Saturday, where its owner had left the animal chained to a tree near his home in Rattanakiri province, said Lee Sam Ol, a district police chief.
2007-03-27 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe plans to cull its growing elephant population to limit damage to the environment and reduce conflict with humans, state media said on Tuesday. The reports came after a rampaging elephant trampled to death a British woman and her 10-year-old daughter on Saturday in the Hwange national part in northwest Zimbabwe.
2007-03-27 - Washington, United States. Samantha L. Quigley
The general’s backstage experience wouldnt have been complete without photos with Army Sgt. Tom Davis and his family and, of course, Karen the elephant. Karen showed her patriotic appreciation by sporting an elephant-sized America Supports You dog tag. Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive officer of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, said supporting the troops is a part of the circuss culture now.
2007-03-27 - Miami, United States. Miami MetroZoo
Responsible for the daily husbandry needs of 1.1 Asian and 1.2 African Elephants in a protected management system. Requires 1 year paid elephant experience in a protected or free contact system. Prefer experience with operant conditioning, a degree in animal technology or biology, and experience with bull elephants.
2007-03-27 - Pittsburgh, United States. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is looking for a Relief Keeper for the Elephant/Ungulates section of our Mammal department. This position is full-time and eligible for full employee benefits after a 90-day probationary period. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is seeking an experience elephant keeper that would be interested in joining a progressive elephant management team, utilizing both free and protected contact.
2007-03-27 - Vienna, Austria. Witter K, Egger GF, Boeck P. University of Veterinary Medicine
Samples of the trunk wall of an adult African elephant (Loxodonta africana) were examined histologically using conventional staining methods, immunohistochemistry, and lectin histochemistry. Architecture of nerve plexuses and occurrence of Renaut bodies in the elephant trunk were compared with those in tissues surrounding the nasal vestibule of the pig. Prominent nerve plexuses were found in all layers of the elephant trunk.
2007-03-27 - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Two British tourists killed by a charging elephant in western Zimbabwe have been named. They were Veronica Parker and her 10-year-old daughter Charlotte, the British Foreign Office said. In Zimbabwe, the state Herald newspaper had incorrectly reported the family name as Poker. The 47-year-old woman's husband escaped unhurt, the Herald reported. Local tour guide Andy Privella, who had fired a shot at the elephant, is in hospital with serious injuries. He was believed to have wounded the elephant ...
2007-03-26 - El Paso, United States. David Crowder
A long-awaited report on recommendations about the El Paso Zoos two elephants is on City Councils Tuesday agenda along with a discussion about new safety measures in the area around North Mesa and Cincinnati Avenue. Also at Tuesday's council meeting, the new zoo director, Steve Marshall, is scheduled to deliver his report and recommendations on the fate of the zoo's elephant exhibit and elephants Juno and Savannah.
2007-03-26 - KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia.
Raymond Alfred, project manager for World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysias Sorel project said elephant corridors might be the answer to reducing conflicts with elephants. The latest case involved an adult male elephant caught at a plantation in Kinabatangan over the weekend. It was collared and released into the sanctuary.
2007-03-26 - Windhoek, Namibia. Wezi Tjaronda
Celebrations to mark a century of conservation by the Etosha National Park, were launched last Thursday by Environment and Tourism Minister, Reverend Willem Konjore. Konjore said that after the last elephant was shot at the fort in 1881, the elephant population was restored to the extent where the population has grown to 2500 in the park alone.
2007-03-26 - Philadelphia, United States. Julie Stoiber
Caught by surprise last week when the Maryland Zoo backed out of a deal to adopt its three African elephants, the Philadelphia Zoo is now searching for a home for the animals at institutions within a day's drive of here. The Pittsburgh Zoo and the North Carolina Zoo, which had been considered and are poised to open expanded African elephant habitats, seemed likely prospects.
2007-03-26 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Two British tourists were killed and another seriously injured by a rampaging elephant in Zimbabwes Hwange National Park, reports said Monday. The attack by the elephant on the group of tourists happened Saturday while they were on safari in the park with a tour guide, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported. The injured person was taken to hospital in Zimbabwes southern city of Bulawayo, the paper said.
2007-03-26 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In October 1995 a group of Sri Lankans and Americans met at the Taprobane Sri Lanka restaurant in New York City, convened by Conservation Biologist, Ravi Corea to incorporate the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS). The project known as Saving Elephants by Helping People has been in operation for the past 10 years and has installed 41 Kilometers of electric fencing since its inception.
2007-03-26 - Yaoundé, Cameroon. Elizabeth Mosima
The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, last Thursday visited the Mvog-betsi zoological garden in Yaounde. Minister Elvis Ngolle Ngolle announced the payment of 16 months salaries owed to the personnel of the Mvog-betsi zoological garden. He said measures have also been taken to ensure that new lions are brought to the zoo and an elephant as well.
2007-03-26 - El Paso, United States.
The Asian elephants Juno and Savannah are the reasons why a lot of people visit the El Paso Zoo. The elephants are one of the main attractions but one thats been controversial for the last two years. The last briefing we got in 2006 told us to increase the size of the enclosure to make it a humane enclosure for those elephants, it's going to cost us $15-$20 million, said Rep. Beto ORourke.
2007-03-26 - Santa Barbara, United States. Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a keeper for our elephant team. This position will carry out all basic aspects of the daily care of the animals, including, but not limited to: training, enrichment, maintenance of exhibits, and enhancing the guest experience. Experience with Elephants in Protected Contact is preferred, but we are willing to train an enthusiastic individual.
2007-03-25 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Elephants are straying onto one of Malaysias main highways, prompting the government to warn drivers not to trigger a possible rampage by honking at the animals, a news report said Sunday. The warning came after a motorist claimed to have been chased for about 50 meters (160 feet) earlier this month by a herd of elephants that had been blocking part of the East-West Highway. No injuries were reported in the incident.
2007-03-25 - New Delhi, India. Sushmita Choudhury
Pachyderm lover-hunter-conservationist Dinesh Choudhury's life comes a full circle. A hunter who is a staunch conservationist. Meet Dinesh Choudhury, elephant hunter. Yes, you read right. Choudhury is exactly that. But before you start calling up animal rights activists, let’s make it clear that this man is perfectly legal. He is actually a licensed professional hunter, one of the last few ones in the country. He is the man the government turns to when a rogue elephant has to be stopped.
2007-03-25 - Salt Lake City, United States. John Hollenhorst
Getting pregnant doesnt usually require the help of Delta Air Lines, Federal Express and a team of experts from Germany. But thats exactly whats unfolding in Salt Lake City tonight. But the means to the end are distinctly unnatural. Experts from Germany flew in Sunday night, after a stop in Pittsburgh to visit a male elephant. He supplied a crucial ingredient. His contribution was carry-on baggage for the pros from Berlin.
2007-03-25 - NEW YORK, United States. MARCUS FRANKLIN
The skull of a large carnivorous dinosaur and the tusk of a shaggy-coated mammoth from the Ice Age sold for a combined $372,000 at a natural history auction Sunday, auction officials said. The 10-foot tusk of a woolly mammoth found on the Siberian tundra was sold to an anonymous telephone bidder for $96,000, the most such an item has commanded at auction, Pitt said. The auction, which also featured a meteorite and other items, brought in a total of $1.55 million.
2007-03-24 - Dharmapuri, India.
A female elephant died on the banks of Chinnar river in Pennagaram forests on Friday, apparently because of old age, forest department officials said. The elephant was found in distress by residents of Pannappatti village, about 43 km from here, they said. The elephant died in the afternoon. It was aged between 55 to 60 years, they said. Villagers performed poojas for the dead elephant.
2007-03-24 - Davis, CA, United States. Yon L, Chen J, Moran P, Lasley B. University of California
During musth in bull elephants, the androgens testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and androstenedione all increase significantly. Given the unusual endocrine physiology that has been discovered in female elephants, it is also possible that bull elephants produce some unusual androgens. A cell-based androgen receptor assay was used to explore this possibility using two different methods.
2007-03-23 - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
A male elephant, estimated to be 55-60 years of age, was captured and collared in Gomantong Plantation, Lower Kinabatangan, last Sunday before it was released into Lot 6 of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. This is the second elephant collared using the GSM collar done by the Sabah Wildlife Department and WWF-Malaysia as part of the Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation (BBEC) activities, which advocates sustainable approaches for the conservation of endangered biodiversity and ecosyst...
2007-03-23 - St Albans, United Kingdom.
BOBBY Roberts Super Circus has hit back at critics, including an animal rights group, over the treatment of its 54-year-old elephant, Anne. The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) had urged the public to boycott the circus, which will perform at Herts County Showground, in Dunstable Road, Redbourn, this week, over its use of animals. The group slated the circus for being one of just eight circuses in the UK to use animals, including horses, camels and an elephant. It argued that Anne was t...
2007-03-23 - Louisville, United States.
The African elephant born Sunday at the Louisville Zoo continues to bond well with his mother, Mikki, zoo officials said today. The baby is nursing every two hours and exploring his new surroundings more and more each day, they said, adding that he appears to be a quick learner. A naming contest will be announced when details are finalized.
2007-03-22 - Hyderabad, India.
As the mercury starts soaring hinting a long summer ahead, the Nehru Zoological Park has taken up initiatives to provide some respite for its inmates from searing heat. The elephants which recently acquired a separate home, where they retire during nights and also hide from the sun during day time, have been provided with facilities for a regular bath.
2007-03-22 - VALLEJO, United States.
Beginning Saturday, animal aficionados over age 12 who have $400 can live out the fantasy of being an animal trainer for a day, according to officials at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to work closely with a group of extraordinary animals, this program is for you, Martin Lathrop, park president of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom said in a statement Wednesday.
2007-03-22 - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India.
A team of officials from the city zoo will leave for Mumbai next week to bring over a male elephant. Over the next few months, the zoo is expected to get a variety of animals from different zoos across the country. Zoo superintendent S. Abu said these animals might not be brought at one go but rather in phases. The paperwork relating to the elephant and the giraffe are in the final stages. Talks are on for the rest of the animals.
2007-03-22 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
ZIMBABWE is sitting on more than 12 tonnes of ivory running into several billions of dollars, The Herald Business gathered this week. This follows the suspension of ivory trade in July last year by the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority pending the establishment of a monitoring system to oversee trade in the commodity.
2007-03-22 - COXS BAZAR, Bangladesh.
A century-old elephant died after a rare fight with another elephant in a Bangladesh forest, officials said on Thursday. Forest officials retrieved the dead elephant, a male around 100 years old, and conducted an autopsy which suggested it died of injuries inflicted in a clash with another male. The other elephant was likely to be injured, and officials were trying to locate it.
2007-03-22 - Philadelphia, United States. TOM SCHMIDT
The Philadelphia Zoos three African elephants may eventually wind up in California. Pat Derby, director of PAWS, the Performing Animal Welfare Society, yesterday practically welcomed the elephants to the societys spacious sanctuary with open arms. Andrew Baker, vice president for animal programs at the zoo, said no one had approached him with a proposal that the elephants be placed at the PAWS sanctuary.
2007-03-22 - Kent, United Kingdom.
TRIBUTE has been paid to Mike Lockyer, the zoological director of Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal parks, who died on February 25 aged 75. In 1984 Mike moved to John Aspinalls Port Lympne and Howletts Zoo Parks in Kent. He was committed to the preservation of endangered animals and the promoting of successful breeding programmes. As zoological director he supported Mr Aspinall through the loss of two tiger keepers and an elephant keeper, after which he managed health and safety and staff mor...
2007-03-21 - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India.
Keralas temple festivals may no more see elephants, with their angry owners protesting against criminal cases the police slap on them whenever the animals run amok. The Kerala Elephant Owners Association has decided that with no proper set of rules to decide what needs to be done when elephants run amok, we will not send any elephants to take part in temple festivals, P Sasi Kumar, joint secretary of the group, said.
2007-03-21 - Canterbury, United Kingdom.
Sixteen African elephants at a wildlife park will soon move into an extension on their enclosure now that 16 Gurkha soldiers have finished building it. The steel fence around the animals five-acre paddock at Howletts, near Canterbury, Kent, was needed because of the ever increasing size of the herd.
2007-03-21 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the region whose elephant population is ballooning to unsustainable levels, owing to its sound wildlife management and conservation policies. This has presented headaches to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which has to juggle the numbers of jumbos against the damage to the environment. Zimbabwe should be allowed to cull its elephants to manageable levels and sell the ivory under strictly monitored supervised programmes.
2007-03-21 - PARALAKHEMUNDI, India.
A herd of elephants from the adjoining Lakhari forest reservoirs in the Mohona block destroyed the boundary wall of Ekalabya School at Chandragiri yesterday night. Fifty students sleeping in the school had a miraculous escape. The entry of the elephants to the town was noticed only today morning.
2007-03-21 - ANNAPOLIS, United States.
The Cole Bros. Circus is moving to Crownsville after the Naval Academy Athletic Association decided damage at the stadium grounds from the decades-long tradition was too expensive, circus sponsors said. Annapolis Optimist Club President Diann Turner said the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds - which are six miles away - will now host the circus May 2 and 3. Were just thrilled we were able to find a place and we can continue to bring it to town, said Turner.
2007-03-20 - London, United Kingdom. DEREK ROBINS
MASTURBATING an elephant in the cause of science isn’t an easy job – just ask wildlife expert Dr Thomas Hildebrandt. Dr Hildebrandt, a world expert on elephant and rhino reproduction demonstrates how it should be done in BBC2’s Horizon: The Elephant’s Guide To Sex screened on March 20. In the programme, he bids to help elephants Jackson and Christy – who lives in US zoos 1,200 miles apart – to produce a baby.
2007-03-20 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
Wits University has just completed studies on how elephants cope with high African temperatures and how that influences their behaviour. In African savannahs, elephants are exposed to high environmental heat loads during the day and low ambient temperatures at night and yet these animals are able to cope quite adequately.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hopes that governments proposed elephant management regulations will lead to elephant-back safaris being abolished. The draft rules, released for comment last week, propose stopping the capture from the wild of anything other than genuine orphan elephant calves.
2007-03-20 - Baltimore, United States.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore said Tuesday it will delay a planned expansion of its elephant exhibit, scuttling plans to move three pachyderms from their Philadelphia home. Maryland Zoo officials made the decision after determining that they should pour $5.5 million in state funds into repairs that are needed at the 131-year-old zoo rather than the expansion.
2007-03-20 - Stellenbosch, South Africa. Pardini AT, O'brien PC, Fu B, Bonde RK, Elder FF, Ferguson-Smith MA, Yang F, Robinson TJ. University of Stellenbosch
Despite marked improvements in the interpretation of systematic relationships within Eutheria, particular nodes, including Paenungulata (Hyracoidea, Sirenia and Proboscidea), remain ambiguous. Cross-species chromosome painting was used to delineate regions of homology between Loxodonta africana (2n=56), Procavia capensis (2n=54), Trichechus manatus latirostris (2n=48) and an outgroup taxon, the aardvark (Orycteropus afer, 2n=20).
2007-03-19 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
Field ranger Thomas Mathosi has stabilised in Polokwane Private Hospital after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was overturned by a group of elephants in the Kruger National Park last week. As they were watching the herd in front of them, a smaller group of elephants stormed them from behind and flipped their vehicle over, trapping Sandra Basson, the section ranger at Pafuri, and her driver in the vehicle.
2007-03-19 - Washington, United States. Catherine Andrews
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Pachyderm Parade is in town today, starting up at 32nd and D Streets at 12:30 pm and finishing up at the Verizon Center this afternoon. You can expect crowds lining the street to catch the spectacle, as well as PETA protesters out in full force, protesting the circus's treatment of elephants and other animals they use in their show.
2007-03-19 - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India.
The rules for proper upkeep of captive elephants in Kerala have set the retirement age for jumbos at 65, according to State Forest Minister Binoy Viswam. The quantum of food for jumbos was prescribed and the rules also insist that elephants should not be marched on tarred roads during the summer days, the maximum distance to be covered a day is 30 km, they should be rested when in 'musth', use of heavy and sharp shackles should be avoided and they should be kept at a safe distance from fireworks...
2007-03-19 - KARACHI, Pakistan. Jamil Khan and Maliha Rehman
The Karachi zoo has been unable to replace the widely loved elephant Anarkali who died in July last year at the age of 65. One of the main reasons is that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) banned the transport of live animals and the two major airlines capable of undertaking the task stopped flying to Pakistan, said Karachi Zoo District Officer Mansoor Qazi. There are only two elephants in zoos in the country: one is in Islamabad and the other at the Lahore Zoo came about two de...
2007-03-19 - Louisville, United States.
Louisville Zoo's 21-year-old African elephant Mikki gave birth to her first calf at 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 18. It is the first elephant born in the Zoo's 38-year history. The calf weighed in at a healthy 285 pounds and measures 37.5 inches tall. He will start gaining about 2 pounds a day. Mikki is the second African elephant this year in North America to give birth. Since April 2003, 12 of the last 14 elephant conceptions have been successful.
2007-03-19 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
KENYA and Mali have published proposals for a ban on ivory trade in Zimbabwe, which they are expected to present at this year's Cites meeting in The Netherlands in June. The proposal, besides being selective and hard against Zimbabwe solely, also states that South Africa, Botswana and Namibia should stop trading in ivory but that hunters in those three countries should be allowed to take their trophies.
2007-03-18 - COIMBATORE, India.
The two tamed elephants or kumkis Nanjan (48) and Kalim (38) accompanied by six mahouts reached a settlement near Kovai Kuttralam from Top Slip in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday. The two kumkis will push the elephant herd, which has been entering human habitations in Perur for the last five years to deep inside the forests. The kumkis were brought following the orders of Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle P C Tyagi.
2007-03-18 - Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Nguni is situated in the Nyathi concession of the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, just an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth and we bounce along the bumpy path until we finally arrive at the headquarters of Addo Elephant Back Safaris. The three bull elephants, Mukwa, Duma and Taba, arrive minutes later, escorted by senior handler Elliot Mangaliso. The trio are all between 16 to 18 years old and are originally from Kruger Park where they were saved from being culled and then taken to th...
2007-03-17 - Bangkok, Thailand.
In Kanchanaburi province, Pinan Chotiroseranee, president of the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group, blamed a mass exodus of wild elephants into the outside world on human encroachment on their natural habitat in the Salak Phra wildlife sanctuary, which is currently experiencing a serious shortage of water. In Surin, around 87 pachyderms kept at an elephant centre in Tha Tum district are facing a severe shortage of water, as a result of the drought which ravaged 1,594 villages in eleven districts a...
2007-03-17 - London, United Kingdom. Oni O, Sujit K, Kasemsuwan S, Sakpuaram T, Pfeiffer DU. Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park
Serum samples from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces of Thailand were tested using the microscopic agglutination test against 22 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. These results were similar to studies in domestic livestock and stray dogs in the Bangkok district.
2007-03-17 - London, United Kingdom. Oni O, Sujit K, Kasemsuwan S, Sakpuaram T, Pfeiffer DU., Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park
Serum samples from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces of Thailand were tested using the microscopic agglutination test against 22 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. A titre of more than 1:100 was used as evidence of infection. In northern Thailand, the seroprevalence was 58 per cent and the prevalent serovars were Leptospira interrogans serovar Sejroe, Leptospira interrogans serovar Tarassovi, Leptospira interrogans serovar Ranarum and Leptos...
2007-03-16 - Zakouma, Chad. NED POTTER
Michael Fay grew up very far away from the wilds of Africa, in the relative safety of the New York suburbs. But he has become a passionate advocate of nature, one who knows intimately the wilderness he strives to protect. Now he has taken up the cause of the elephants of Zakouma, a remote region of southern Chad. Zakouma is now a wildlife refuge, and the elephants are safe there, largely, says Fay, because the guards have tacit permission to shoot poachers.
2007-03-15 - Toronto, Canada. JACK BOLAND
Whether its fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, flying wet dogs or elephant rides, going to the Toronto Sportmens Show has always been a Meinzinger family's annual tradition. Wearing the family's backpack, Howie Meinzinger, 52, took a break yesterday between scouting out a fishing trip for his curling buddies and checking out new fishing gear to watch his teenage daughter and son take a ride on Limba, a 44-year -old female elephant from the Bowmanville Zoo.
2007-03-15 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
OVER 110 000 elephants now inhabit Zimbabwe and the number is growing 5 percent annually although there is space and food for only 47 000. The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority did an elephant survey late last year at a cost of US$105 000. The money provided by the World Wildlife Fund. Up to 90 000 elephants were counted outside Gonarezhou National Park and it was established that the park held more than 20 000, said Parks spokesperson Retired Major Edward Mbewe yesterday. This led to the ...
2007-03-15 - Milwaukee, United States.
A 76-year-old Kenosha County man in whose cornfield the skeleton of a mammoth believed to be about 12,500 years old was dug up in 1994 is interested in selling it, and officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum are interested in it. "I'm just looking for some funds for my grandkids' college," John Hebior said the possible sale of the skeleton now in 15 large wooden crates and four plastic tubs in the basement of his farmhouse five miles west of Somers.
2007-03-15 - GRAND RAPIDS, United States. Rachael Recker
And as Nicholas Sal, 5 1/2, noticed, there's not only plenty to see and do but plenty to smell. It smells like elephant here, he blurted out near the third ring, where attendees could ride atop an elephant named Janice. Nicholas, with his 3-year-old sister, Kaitlynn, and 32-year-old mother, Sandra, of Allendale, were among the first audience members to settle into Janices red harness. Not a bit nervous and all smiles, they swayed around the ring. It's the one thing I always remembered (from chil...
2007-03-15 - Bethlehem, United States. George Hrab
Faithful Elephants is a beautifully illustrated (via watercolor) picture book that apparently is based on a true story. During World War II, a zoo in Japan was forced to kill off all of their animals, because they were unable to care for them- and they were worried that allied bombs could destroy some holding areas and release these animals into the city, causing havoc. The staff painfully realized that their only option was to kill these creatures by starving them.
2007-03-15 - Ndola, Zambia.
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has arrested six suspected poachers and confiscated 91 kilogrammes of assorted game meat worth K2.8 million. The suspects are four women and two men. They were arrested in Chiyunyi area in the lower Zambezi in Chongwe district last week on Thursday and are in police custody.
2007-03-15 - Kansas City, United States. Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo is seeking a qualified elephant keeper. The qualified individual will have elephant experience and be a team player. The elephant team currently manages 6 African elephants in protected contact. The Kansas City Zoo offers excellent benefits. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Liz Harmon, General Curator, lizharmon@fotzkc.org
2007-03-14 - St. Louis, United States. Diane Toroian Keaggy
After recently celebrating a new elephant birth, the St. Louis Zoo will say goodbye to Clara, matriarch of its Asian elephant herd. Zoo veterinarians plan to euthanize her this morning. Clara is 54 and has been suffering from arthritis for several years. "She is not responding to any of her pain medications the way she used to," said Dr. Eric Miller, director of the Zoo's WildCare Institute. We have tried everything we can think of, but she is not comfortable. At some point, you have to say good...
2007-03-14 - Garo Hills, India.
FOUR wild elephants drunk on beer were electrocuted when they stumbled into a power pole and brought it down on top of themselves in northeast India. A herd of up to 25 elephants rampaged in a remote area in the West Garo Hills district earlier this week, forcing villagers to run for cover and leave their freshly brewed beverage behind, BBC News online reported. After drinking the village dry, the elephants ran into a power pole, bringing it down. Their trunks bore the brunt of the shock from th...
2007-03-14 - NEELESWARAM, India.
The district administration will erect 5-km long solar fencing in Athiyadukam in East Eleri grama panchayat to contain marauding wild elephants. P Karunakaran MP informed that Rs 2.84 lakh will be sanctioned from his MP fund for the fencing. A herd of elephants destroyed crops worth Rs 2.36 lakh in the area on Saturday. The villagers are in panic as they fear another raid is imminent. The elephant herds are there in the neighbouring areas and they will descend on the village any time, villagers ...
2007-03-14 - CHIANG MAI, Thailand.
More than 70 elephants took part in the festivities, held at the Maesa Elephant Camp sanctuary in Chiang Mai since 1998, when the government declared March 13 National Thai Elephant Day.The elephant is Thailand's national animal and government officials hope events like National Elephant Day will make people revere them as it tries to conserve its elephant population, now around 4,500.
2007-03-14 - Bhadrak, India.
A herd of wild elephants trampled to death at least two middle-aged men and injured six people after storming a village in Orissa's Bhadrak district Wednesday, official said. The elephants entered Kandaba village from the nearby Hadagada forest and started destroying orchards, local range officer Samir Sahoo said. The villagers faced the wrath of the elephants after trying to drive them out, he added.
2007-03-14 - SEATTLE, United States.
Once again, two German scientists have artificially inseminated a Woodland Park Zoo elephant in hopes of producing a second offspring from Chai, now 28. It's the fourth time over the past two years that Chai, an Asian elephant, has undergone insemination. She became pregnant last year, but lost the pregnancy at an early stage, the zoo said. The sperm sample used Tuesday night was collected from Rex, a 39-year-old bull elephant at African Lion Safari, in Cambridge, Ontario. He has sired three off...
2007-03-14 - BALTIMORE, United States. Richard Sher
The Greatest Show on Earth brought its seven magnificent elephants to the Lexington Market in Downtown Baltimore at noon Wednesday. As Richard Sher reports, hundreds of children brought their moms and dads to see the animals. Adam Murdoch, senior animal handler for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus told Richard Sher, Forming a relationship with an animal, then having the public watch as you interact with it is impossible to describe to people.
2007-03-14 - Sabisands, South Africa. Rhona Ganguly
With her honeymoon in South Africa quickly coming to an end, Deborah Smith had already ticked off six of the seven boxes on her list of must-see safari animals. But with one day remaining, the marketing and communications director for the NEC Group and her accountant husband Jon, were desperate to see an elephant. They asked a ranger at the Ulusaba Harbour game reserve in Sabisands if it would be possible to see one. Little did the couple realise just how much of an impact that request would hav...
2007-03-13 - ESCONDIDO, United States.
San Diego's Wild Animal Park has a new elephant in its herd. A 17-year-old African elephant The mother, Litsemba, gave birth at 9:14 p.m. to a male calf Sunday. View Images: Elephant Hours After Birth. Raw Video: Elephant Stumbles After Birth. Images taken by park staff Monday morning show the calf is healthy, but not too steady on his feet yet.
2007-03-13 - Jakarta, Indonesia.
A herd of wild elephants have killed two people and destroyed several homes during the past week in the south of Indonesia's Sumatra island, officials said Tuesday. Six pachyderms trampled to death one resident and destroyed several homes on Monday night in Suoh village in West Lampung regency, Edward Rahadian with the Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in Lampung province said. But Monday night's fatality was the second caused by the wild elephants in West Lampung regency in the past ...
2007-03-13 - DHAKA, Bangladesh.
Suffering from a shortage of tools and heavy equipment, city chiefs recruited a circus elephant to come to the aid of workers in the city of Barisal. The animal rapidly reduced the illegal properties to rubble, carrying out the work of 10 men in a matter of minutes, reports say. Illegally built properties have become more commonplace over the last decade.
2007-03-13 - Kruger National Park, South Africa.
A game ranger was seriously injured when a herd of elephants attacked his vehicle in South Africa's Kruger National Park, park officials said Tuesday. The ranger, named as Thomas Mathosi, and his group happened upon a breeding herd of elephants when they returned from a staff function in the north of the park, park spokesman Raymond Travers was quoted as saying by South Africa's SAPA news agency.
2007-03-13 - Louisville, United States. Sheldon S. Shafer
What do you do to pamper someone who is pregnant? Pretty much anything she wants when the patient is an 8,500-pound African elephant. The 21-year-old elephant, who was impregnated by artificial insemination, could give birth any day and is under 24-hour watch by zoo staff. Zoo officials say they don’t know the gender of Mikki’s calf. It probably will weigh about 300 pounds at birth and stay close to its mother for several years
2007-03-12 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Five men were arrested after being caught smuggling two elephants into Thailand from neighboring Myanmar, authorities said Monday. The men and beasts, a 1-year-old calf and a female adult, entered Thailand by boat Thursday after a trip across the Salween River from Myanmar. The suspects, identified as three Thais and two men from Myanmar, face up to 15 years in prison on charges of elephant trafficking said Preecha Chalermpichai, the head forest ranger in the border district of Mae Sariang, wher...
2007-03-12 - Los Angeles, United States. Fiona Hutton, Los Angeles Zoo Press release
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Zoo Director John Lewis today jointly announced that, after years of helping to educate the Southern California community about elephants, Ruby the elephant will be moved to the Performing Animal Welfare Society in Northern California (PAWS). The 46-year old African elephant has led a fulfilling life at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo) where she has lived for nearly 10 active and healthy years.
2007-03-12 - Tesso Nilo National Park, Indonesia.
Starting from February 23, the Flying Squad has had a new member since Lisa, one of Flying Squad female elephants had given a birth. Lisa and her baby are both fine. On that Friday morning, Lisa's mahout who was in charged to take Lisa to bath from the site where she was tied the night before, to his surprise saw Lisa was with a new companion, her cute baby. The scene was about 1.5 km away from the Flying Squad camp.
2007-03-11 - Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. Eleanor Momberg
Zimbabwe's national parks and wildlife management authority is killing elephants near Lake Kariba to feed to crocodiles at a parks-owned commercial crocodile farm. Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), says the guardians of Zimbabwe's national parks have entered the lucrative crocodile breeding business and have allocated 50 to 100 elephants a year to feed the crocodiles. "They have shot three already. We are looking into allegations that other crocodile ...
2007-03-11 - Los Angeles, United States. Carla Hall
The Los Angeles Zoo is expected to announce today that it is retiring its female African elephant, Ruby, to an animal sanctuary in Central California. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has expressed concern about the conditions for elephants at the L.A. Zoo, plans to discuss the decision to relocate Ruby at a news conference today.
2007-03-11 - Nairobi, Kenya. Hadas Kroitoru
Retired Israel Air Force planes are being given a second opportunity to defend the countryside, but this time around, it’s in Africa and it's wildlife they are protecting. Two restored Israel Air Force planes are getting their second wind above the national parks of Kenya, fighting illegal poaching on the countrys porous border with Somalia. It is estimated that some 20,000 elephants are poached every year across the elephant-range countries of Africa, says Elizabeth Wamba, communications and ...
2007-03-11 - Minneapolis, United States. John Reinan
Lions and tigers and bears, no way. And no elephants, either, if Minneapolis joins about two dozen cities nationwide in banning wild circus animals. Bans on circus animals have been enacted in a number of North American cities, including Stamford, Conn.; Boulder, Colo., and Burlington, Vt. But proposed bans have failed in several larger cities, including Seattle, Denver, Winnipeg and Edmonton, Alberta. It's unthinkable to have a circus without wild animals, said Tom Albert, a spokesman for Feld ...
2007-03-10 - Sydney, Australia.
THEY'RE among Sydney's biggest consumers of water, churning through millions of litres a year for drinking, bathing and swimming. But now animals at Taronga Zoo, including the new Asian elephants, are to become better water savers under plans to increase the amount of recycled water they use. Zoo director and chief executive Guy Cooper said among the biggest users of recycled water would be the Asian elephants. All five of them are in the pool at least three times a day.
2007-03-10 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Walter Jayawardhana
An army search operation found the eight bullet ridden bodies of two army officers, two army soldiers, the officer in charge of the Wilpattu Wild Life Park and three wild life rangers, believed tortured and killed by the rogue cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The men men were in the Wilpattu Park making a feasibility study of repairing the Ikiriyagolla Irrigation Tank which was the main source of water for the large herds of wild elephants in the park.
2007-03-09 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Wild Life Conservation Department sources revealed that over the last 15 years, 1,850 elephants, 1,192 of them, male, have been reported killed. This has reduced the country's dwindling elephant population from 4000 to 2000. Wild Life Conservation Department points out that every year, around 150 elephants and between 50-70 human die because of man-elephant conflict. Data from Sri Lanka’s wildlife conservation department point to an increasing trend.
2007-03-09 - Greeley, United States.
The Jordan World Circus will give away free elephant rides to the first 100 people who show up Saturday at Big R, 310 8th St., in Greeley. The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon, where 94.3 MAX FM radio will broadcast live; free popcorn will be available. Elephant rides start at 10 a.m. The event is in anticipation of the Jordan World Circus to be held at the Colorado State University Equine Center in Fort Collins.
2007-03-09 - Chester, United Kingdom.
The elephants in Chester Zoo were given a trunk call after the highways agency were left with 200m of hawthorn bushes after a road clearance. Hawthorn is a favourite food for the elephants and with a 10-strong hungry herd, the keepers were keen to take it. The contractors, who were looking for a green solution, were happy to oblige.
2007-03-08 - St. Louis, United States. Diane Toroian Keaggy
Grandmother Pearl must be so proud: Voters have chosen Jade as the name for the St. Louis Zoo's new elephant calf. "This baby is this beautiful little jewel," said St. Louis Zoo President Jeffrey Bonner. "So Jade is a pretty nice name for a gem of a baby." Jade's father, Raja, was the only elephant present Wednesday as zookeepers unfurled a banner with the calf's name at the River's Edge. Jade and her mother, Rani, remain inside the elephant barn, where they continue to bond. After showing early...
2007-03-08 - Lampang, Thailand.
The 100-kilogram male baby Asian elephant was born late Wednesday at the Elephant Hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in the northern town of Lampang, said Sittidej Mahasawangkul, head of the hospital. This is the first time that artificial insemination is successfully carried out in Thailand and in Asia, and first time ever with frozen sperma.
2007-03-08 - Viengkeo, Laos. YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT
Senior mahout Thongpetch's eyes turn misty when he speaks about his feelings for Kham Peng, a 23-year-old elephant with lots of personality. Xayaboury has 500 domesticated elephants and a further 200 to 300 that live in the wild. Hongsa is the largest district in the province and Viengkeo has the elephant community. Actually Hongsa's human and elephant population are evenly matched, and the district holds a special place in elephant folklore because of the excellence of its mahouts who regard th...
2007-03-08 - Greenbrier, United States.
A group of 10 zoos, including the Little Rock Zoo, has expressed an interest in turning 330 acres in Arkansas Scott and Heidi Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary into a national research, breeding and home for elephants. The Riddles have 13 elephants and have been looking at ways to keep the sanctuary open, says Scott Riddle.
2007-03-08 - New Delhi, India. Tenzing Lamsang
An 11-year-old elephant, rescued last year from Kaithal in Haryana, died at the Delhi Zoo today a few hours after doctors had decided to put down the animal. The elephant was suffering from spastic paralysis on his forelegs and fluid in his lower jaws had caused swelling, said Dr S. Bahadur, retired NDMC vet. The Zoo decided in the afternoon to euthanise the elephant but by 4.30 pm the elephant expired.
2007-03-07 - BRAZZAVILLE, Congo.
Conservationists hope chillies and hi-tech geophones will help protect fields from elephants in Congo Republic, where villagers are fed up with pachyderms eating their crops. Forest elephants from the nearby Odzala-Koukoua National Park have eaten crops from dozens of fields in the area over the last few months, raising the possibility of a targeted cull to kill troop leaders which lead other animals into the fields in two problem areas.
2007-03-07 - Nashville, United States.
Some pudgy pachyderms have been packing on the pounds over at the Nashville Zoo. On Tuesday, the elephants weighed in with the help of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The Nashville Zoo used portable truck scales from the Department of Safety to weigh their three large African elephants. The three elephants Sukari, Hadari, and Kiba weighed 9,500, 9,800 and 10,000 pounds, respectively.
2007-03-07 - Kochi, United States.
Elephants in the Ernakulam district will wear microchips from today as part of an initiative by the State Forest Department. The microchips would be embedded in the skin behind the left ear of the elephants. Each elephant will be given a 10-digit code, which will serve as the e-ID of the animal. Elephant Care, an organisation engaged in `providing a decent environment and congenial life to the domesticated elephants,' is the facilitator. Forest Department veterinary surgeon E.K. Easwaran is lea...
2007-03-07 - Johannesburg, South Africa.
After the banning of so-called 'canned' lion hunting, the South African government is now training its sights on elephant-back tourism, animal rights activists said Wednesday. Last week's draft recommendations on elephant management which listed culling as an option for controlling soaring herd numbers also recommended stricter controls on the capture of young elephants for use in tourism, the International Fund for Animal Welfare noted.
2007-03-07 - Irrawaddy, Myanmar. Shah Paung
Villagers living near the Pegu Mountains in central Burma have complained that an increasing number of elephants moving through their village has left several people dead, rice and bean crops destroyed, and villagers with no recourse to justice. Local residents say that earlier this week, a group of elephants came into Thayetgone village in Pegu Division and trampled a farmer. It’s not the first time the elephants have caused trouble in the area.
2007-03-07 - Calgary, Canada.
The City of Calgary has voted $30 million and the Province of Alberta $34 million toward the expansion of the elephant exhibit, upgrading of the conservatory and establishment of Arctic Shores. The zoo already received $3 million from the city for a feasibility study and preliminary design and was expecting the balance in June.
2007-03-07 - Chennai, India.
The Tamil Nadu government Wednesday said it would acquire 398 acres of private land and create an elephant corridor through Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts. Speaking at the Biodiversity Conservation conference organised by the forest department, State Forest Minister N. Selvaraj said the corridor would be created this year. Expressing concern over the increasing human-animal conflict, the minister said: "Death of human beings and injury to humans due to wild animal attacks is a source of major ...
2007-03-07 - Cape Town, United States.
The government's proposed elephant-management regulations could hobble South Africa's "notorious" elephant-back tourism industry, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw) said on Wednesday. "Ifaw has long been calling for better legislation to manage the elephant-safari industry, and it seems that government is finally going to get tough on this awful blight on South Africa's tourism landscape.
2007-03-07 - Hongsa, Laos.
Ancient Laos was known as Lan Xang, the "Land of One Million Elephants" but today fewer than 2,000 of the animals survive and about half of them are driving the problem by helping log the country's last virgin forests. To raise awareness about the plight of the majestic animals, France-based non-profit group ElefantAsia last month organised modern Laos' first elephant festival in the remote northwestern district of Hongsa.
2007-03-06 - Kheonjhar, India.
Elephants in Orissas Kheonjhar district have been displaced from forests bringing them into direct conflict with the tribes and villagers. So far over 60 people have been killed and over 200 elephants have vanished from the official census lists. A few months ago irate villagers killed nine elephants. Starving elephant herds raid the crops escalating tension in the district. With rampant mining in the district destroying traditional elephant migratory routes and natural food sources they...
2007-03-06 - Washington, United States. LEE DYE
Scientists have turned to crime labs, Interpol, genetic testing, and even energetic dogs in a somewhat desperate attempt to curtail illegal poaching of endangered animals ranging from Africas elephants to baleen whales. These are urgent problems, says Samuel K. Wasser, director of the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington, and leader of a multi-national research project that is fighting an explosive growth in the number of elephants slaughtered in Africa every year.
2007-03-06 - Nairobi, Kenya. Paul Redfern, The East African
International wildlife organisations say there has been a surge in elephant poaching across East Africa and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa over the past 18 months.At least 20 tonnes of ivory were smuggled into African and Asian countries this year by poachers, almost doubling the amount seized in previous years. Experts believe that as many as five per cent of Africa's elephants are now being killed for their ivory each year, amounting to around 23,000 elephants.
2007-03-06 - Seattle, United States. Wasser SK, Mailand C, Booth R, Mutayoba B, Kisamo E, Clark B, Stephens M. University of Washington,
We extend an innovative DNA assignment method to determine the geographic origin(s) of large elephant ivory seizures. A Voronoi tessellation method is used that utilizes genetic similarities across tusks to simultaneously infer the origin of multiple samples that could have one or more common origin(s).
2007-03-05 - Philadelphia, United States. Julie Stoiber
The Philadelphia Zoo has begun a send-off celebration for some of its best-loved stars as it prepares to close the elephant exhibit this spring and send Petal, Dulary, Bette and Kallie to new homes, leaving the Philadelphia Zoo without elephants for the first time in its 133-year history. The zoo also has issued elephant trading cards, and plans to fete the sociable pachyderms with Elephun Days the last two weekends in March , offering photo ops and other farewell activities.
2007-03-05 - Kerala, India. T.K. Devasia, Khaleej Times Online
THE Malayalees age-old spiritual bond with elephants has come under test with the state witnessing a sudden spurt in elephant attacks. The animal has gored 15 people to death in the last two months. The latest victim is Babu (45), who was stamped by an elephant called Peroorkavu Sivan, during a temple festival at Quilon district on Thursday. Reports said Sivan, who was being taken to the temple along with several other elephants, turned violent following constant pricking by the mahout.
2007-03-05 - Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
A Taiwan zoo has become the laughing stock for having mistaken a female elephant for a male for 28 years, a newspaper said on Sunday. The Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung, south Taiwan, received two baby African elephants from a US zoo in 1979, believing they were a male and a female, the Taipei Times reported. Since then, the Shoushan Zoo raised the two elephants, Ali and Annie, as a couple and even held a much-publicized wedding for them in 2002. Annie died in 2003. Although Annie never gave birth, z...
2007-03-04 - Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Startling new research indicates that the very humans, in many instances the much-maligned chena (slash-and-burn) cultivators, who come into conflict with elephants, could be made partners in the protection and conservation of these animals they consider their enemies. And this thinking, based on scientific research is about to be tried out as a pilot project in the south by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and scientists keen to see the elephant survive in a country that lays claim to be...
2007-03-04 - Erwin, United States. FIONA SOLTES, The TENNESSEAN
Mary, the circus elephant who was notoriously hanged for murder in 1916 after trampling her caretaker Red Eldridge of St. Paul, became a black eye for the Sparks Traveling Circus and the town of Erwin, Tenn. But now, there's more to her story. In the hands of playwright Matthew Carlton, her hanging represents injustice, cruelty and discrimination of all sorts the kind that the thousands who stood and watched might not have considered.
2007-03-04 - Bangkok, Thailand.
At least five Thai baby elephants have recently been smuggled to Germany, a senior official at the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department revealed yesterday. The transportation was carried out at the beginning of the year by people claming to represent officials in high places, said Dulasit Sanitwongsa na Ayuthaya, a wildlife expert at the department. In other incidents, 20 elephants, all younger than nine, were smuggled to China and another eight were shipped to Australia, Du...
2007-03-04 - Sofia, Bulgaria.
The cow elephant of the Sofia Zoo will have a bed by the months end, Dr. Ivan Ivanov, director of the zoo, told FOCUS News Agency. “The bed is in fact a wall, alongside which sand will be piled at a 45 degree angle and 65 degrees at some places. The elephant will lean upon the sand to rest”, Ivanov explained. At present the elephant doesn’t have a bed.
2007-03-04 - Jamshedpur, India.
The depletion of green cover in state forests has once again spurred elephants attack several Seraikela-Kharsawan villages for foodgrain last night. A villager was trampled to death by a wild elephant near Beritoli in Gumla district. Koka Munda, 35, was going on foot to his in-laws’ house at Maladone from his Kanarva-Bantatoli village on Saturday evening when he was trampled to death by the elephant, according to forest department sources. While three villagers were injured in the raid, the he...
2007-03-03 - OLEAN, United States.
Haley Mott, age 5, of Olean, and her mom Joy, are selling baked goods at the Olean Center Mall today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to raise money to save the elephant house at the Buffalo Zoo. According to a Feb. 2 WGRZ Channel 2 report, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has said the Buffalo Zoo could lose its accreditation because its elephant house enclosure is too small.
2007-03-03 - Johannesburg, United States. Chris Van Gass
Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk is expected to face a rocky ride over his decision to place back on the table the controversial issue of culling elephants to control their numbers. Van Schalkwyk announced yesterday that culling would be one of the five options, including the other contentious issue of contraception, in proposals to curb the population explosion of the mammals. The other options include range extension and translocation of SA's 20000 elephant population, 14000 which ...
2007-03-03 - DHANGADI, Nepal.
Properties have been destroyed by the wild elephants in the eastern VDCs of Kailali district for the last two weeks. It is said nearly a dozen of elephants in each herd have come from Bardiya National Park (BNP). The elephants have demolished altogether 41 houses in various Ward Nos. of Patharaiya, Durgauli and Baliya VDCs of the district so far, and a Chaudhari woman from Patharaiya VDC, Ward No. 4 has been seriously injured on her leg while being chased by the elephant.
2007-03-02 - MALACCA, Malaysia. MARSHA TAN
Elephant calves generally drink their mothers milk for up to two years or more, but being an orphan, three-month-old Amid will grow up on cows milk powder and bread at the zoo here. Orphaned baby elephants are usually nursed by other lactating female elephants in the herd but Amid has lost not only his mother but his entire herd. We have female elephants in the zoo but none of them are lactating. Even if they were, they might not accept Amid because he is not from their herd.
2007-03-02 - KAUFMAN, Texas, United States.
After a tiger mauling and the discovery of dead and mangled livestock, this East Texas gateway is reconsidering its historically relaxed approach to regulating exotic, and some say dangerous animals. Such a ban would force Doug Terranova and dozens of exotic animals off his ranch, where his elephants and camels are visible from the road winding in front of his property. The menagerie includes the University of Houston's official cougar mascot, an elderly timberwolf that appeared in "Walker, Texa...
2007-03-02 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
The man-animal conflict is acquiring a grave dimension in Kerala with at least 15 people dying in retaliatory violence by elephants since December 30. In all, 46 people (41 mahouts and five others) were killed by captive elephants in the State in 2006. The latest was the death of an innocent onlooker at a temple festival in the southern district of Kollam when a group of elephants, being herded from temple to the other, panicked and ran amuck after a mahout struck one of the animals with a sharp...
2007-03-02 - BALTIMORE, United States. Billie Grieb, President and CEO of The Maryland Zoo
You’ve probably heard that The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore will welcome three more African elephants to its grounds this year. Petal, Kallie and Bette will come to us from the Philadelphia Zoo. They will join Dolly and Anna, who’ve been long-time favorites of our guests. At the same time, we are beginning an exciting expansion of our elephant exhibit. It will eventually grow to six acres and include a number of features designed to give our elephants even more variety and stimulation in their ...
2007-03-02 - Daklak, Vietnam. Tran Ngoc Quyen
A tame elephant killed its master Thursday in Daklak province in Vietnams central highlands by scooping him up with its trunk and hurling him down. Y BHiu Mlo, 58, a resident of the remote Ea Wel commune in Buon Don district, was feeding the male elephant in a nearby forest when it suddenly broke free of its chains and began to chase after him.
2007-03-02 - Guruvayur, India.
Crowds in hundreds cheered over two dozen elephants that took part in the hugely popular elephant race in Guruvayur town in Kerala. Nearly 30 elephants took part in the annual kilometer-long race running through the thoroughfares of the tiny town and up to the revered temple. To participate in the coveted race, lots are drawn, and only a lucky few elephants get to participate.
2007-03-01 - San Francisco, United States. PRWEB
New York Times best-selling author of When Elephants Weep: Emotional Lives of Animals, Jeffrey Masson, Ph.D., talks in-depth with Internet radio host Ilene Dillon on Full Power Living (worldtalkradio dot com) Thursday, March 1 at 9 a.m. PT, discussing how animals show emotions and what animal emotions can teach us about being more powerfully human. Listen Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 9 a.m. PT, Dr. Jeffrey Masson reveals incredible tales of animals showing emotion, including an elephant working to...
2007-03-01 - Cromwell, United States. Bob Gagen
Unearthed in Noble County during the winter of 1930-31, the remains of a 10,000-year-old mastodon were trucked to Buffalo, N.Y., where they remained wrapped in plaster and plastic for seven years before being reassembled and placed in a display at that city’s Museum of Natural Science.
2007-03-01 - Thrissur, India. Naveen Nair
It really is a mammoth race. The aanayottam or elephant race at the Guruvayoor temple in Kerala is an annual event that marks the beginning of the 10-day-long temple festival. Says Guruvayur temple administrator, Ratheesh, There is a myth behind this race. Once when Guruvayoor temple did not have any elephants it is said that elephants from the adjoining temple raced to Guruvayoor to get the idol on their heads.
2007-03-01 - Houston, United States.
Visitors to the Houston Zoo were treated to an unusual sight Thursday morning. They saw a 6-month-old playing basketball! The youngster stands nearly four feet tall and weighs almost 700 pounds. The fun and games were all part of Mac the elephant’s half-year birthday celebration. Mac was the elephant that the public got to name.
2007-03-01 - Blackpool, United Kingdom. Joe Robinson
TWO intrepid Zoo employees are to jet off to Sri Lanka for some elephant education. Elephant enclosure boss Gary Hampson and Sarah Thomas from Blackpool Zoo are packing their trunks to spend two weeks travelling around schools teaching children and communities about elephants. The pair, who jet off on Saturday, will also visit an elephant orphanage and national parks as well as seeing how money raised by the zoo's Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust is spent.
2007-03-01 - LAMPANG, Thailand. Evan Osnos
Kod, a pioneering elephant, is not a born leader. The 3-ton, 25-year-old is known for neither bravery nor cleverness; she recoils from dogs and chickens. Her paintings are generously described as abstract. But if all goes well, Kod will make Thai history next month when she gives birth to the nation's first elephant produced by artificial insemination. A successful birth would be a milestone for a country scrambling to save its most treasured animals from an alarming decline.
2007-03-01 - MALACCA, Malaysia. LEE YUK PENG and MARSHA TAN
Amid was a neglected, malnourished three-month-old elephant calf tied up cruelly at a theme park when he was rescued earlier this month. Now, he has several caretakers at the zoo here who take turns feeding him milk, bread, oatmeal and glucose drinks many times a day. But it will take a year, at least, to get him back to normal. He is very much underweight compared to a normal elephant calf, Malacca Zoo director Mohd Nawayai Yasak told The Star yesterday.
2007-03-01 - OSAKA, Japan.
Local customs and police officials showed the press on Thursday three tons of ivory they had confiscated from smugglers. Osaka Customs and Osaka Prefectural Police released some 608 pieces of ivory measuring 30 to 40 centimeters in length and 17,928 smaller pieces that the smugglers had intended to sell for use as seals. The ivory pieces weigh a total of three tons and are worth about 1 billion yen. The ivory is believed to have been taken from about 130 African elephants, customs officials said...
2007-03-01 - Vallejo, United States. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Responsible for the feeding, cleaning and maintenance of Elephant Encounter area and for entry level training of elephants and behaviors. Feed, brush and bathe animals as directed by Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor. Perform night feeds as assigned. Clean animal enclosure areas including log show, elephant theatre, rides, yard, pool and barn. Hose down and squeegee pathways and barn floor as directed, Rake log show and ride trail as directed.
2007-02-28 - SEMINOLE, United States. BOB McCLURE
The first fossil artifact was discovered at the park in early February by Seminole High School student Sierra Sarti-Sweeney of North Redington Beach, who was photographing nature when she noticed an object sticking up out of a creek bed. It was later identified as the tooth and a portion of a jaw from a Columbian mammoth, an extinct species of elephant that inhabited North America between 9,000 and 100,000 years ago.
2007-02-28 - ST. LOUIS, United States.
St. Louis Zoos new Asian elephant mother, Rani, is experiencing difficulty adjusting to the role, according to a news release Tuesday. This kind of behavior is not uncommon with first-time mothers, said Martha Fischer, the zoos curator of animals. This is also similar to the situation we had when our male elephant Raja was born 14 years ago. His mother Pearl did not allow him to nurse for five days but became an excellent mother after he began nursing on a regular basis.
2007-02-28 - ADDO ELEPHANT PARK, South Africa. CLARE NULLIS
The environment minister on Wednesday proposed a package of measures including limited culling and contraception to slow rampant elephant population growth but stressed there would be no mass slaughter. The elephant population of 20,000 is growing at a rate of more than 6 percent per year, disrupting the delicate biodiversity in the flagship Kruger National Park and other wildlife parks, Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said.
2007-02-28 - GENEVA, Switzerland. BRADLEY S. KLAPPER
African countries are divided over banning or controlling international ivory trading, but need to reach a common position if they are to ensure the survival of the continents elephants. David Morgan, chief scientific officer at CITES, said African countries have filed three ivory proposals before the U.N. sponsored conservation bodys conference this June in The Hague, Netherlands, where 169 nations will debate new bans and quotas for trade in endangered species.
2007-02-28 - San Andreas, United States. Vanessa Turner
Well known game show host Bob Barker has pledged $500,000 for a new elephant habitat at a San Andreas sanctuary. Recently the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) made a deal to receive two new elephants from the Hawthorn Corporation in Illinois. The habitat will consist of a new barn and open space area featuring a lake, trees, grass and vegetation.
2007-02-28 - Washington, United States. afrol News
While Southern African countries are seeking to re-legalise the ivory trade due to an abundance of elephants, researchers have conducted a study that reveals the source of illegal ivory in Africa. While elephants may face protection in the south of Africa, other African nations fear the legalisation of the tusk trade. African countries are divided over banning or controlling international ivory trading, but need to reach a common position if they are to ensure the survival of the continent's ele...
2007-02-28 - Miami, United States. Miami Metrozoo
Entry level zoo keeper position available working with 1.1 Asian and 1.2 African elephants in a protected management system. Responsible for daily husbandry, exhibit maintenance, operant conditioning, environmental enrichment, and minor medical procedures. Requires 1 year of paid elephant experience in either protected or free contact management systems.
2007-02-28 - Geneva, Switzerland.
The future of ivory trading hangs in the balance with African countries divided over restrictions, CITES, the standing committee on protecting endangered plants and animals said Wednesday. The ivory trade is on the agenda in June when the 169 governments signed to the CITES Convention meet in The Hague to reconsider wildlife trade rules. It is unlikely that we will find a solution then, CITES Secretary General Willem Wijnstekers told journalists in Geneva.
2007-02-27 - Washington, United States. Roger Highfield
African elephants could eventually become extinct because they are being killed at a rate not seen since an international convention banning ivory trade almost two decades ago. The problem is now so acute, with more than 23,000 slaughtered in a single year, that conservationists are urging Western nations to renew their efforts which all but halted the black market trade of ivory after the ban was first enacted in 1989.
2007-02-27 - Jambi, Indonesia.
Tens of wild elephants ran amuck and destroyed at least 30 farming huts and plantation areas at the Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS), Kerinci District, Jambi Province, Sumatra, on Monday. The elephants were disturbed by human encroachment in their habitat in the national park, Amirsyam, a spokesman of the Kerinci District administration, said here on Tuesday.
2007-02-27 - Chicago, United States. Jeff Long
Left behind at a circus training facility after all their elephant pals departed, two pachyderms named Nicholas and Gypsy are heading to a new, sunny home in California, officials said Monday. More than a year after eight female elephants were shipped to Tennessee, Nicholas and Gypsy remained at the controversial farm near Richmond in McHenry County. No zoo or wildlife sanctuary, it seemed, wanted a potentially boisterous male.
2007-02-27 - TAIPING, Malaysia.
A zoo worker was injured when he was trampled by a male elephant at the Taiping zoo here on Tuesday. The worker, Mohd Hashim Ishak was subsequently warded at the Taiping hospital here for suspected fractures and internal injuries. Speaking from his hospital bed, Mohd Hashim,40 said he was cleaning a den where the elephant was kept at about 8am when the animal lunged at him from behind. “One of the elphant’s tusks hit the side of my chest and the next moment I was pinned down by his foot,” ...
2007-02-27 - St. Louis, United States.
St. Louis Zoo's new Asian elephant mother, Rani, is experiencing difficulty adjusting to the role, according to a news release today, on Monday evening Rani appeared less comfortable around the baby elephant than she had been on Sunday. She The mother and calf were temporarily separated. This kind of behavior is not uncommon with first-time mothers, said Martha Fischer, the zoo's curator of animals.
2007-02-27 - Wuhan, China. Donald
A young girl was injured at Wuhan Zoo in central China on Sunday when an African elephant, in retaliation to abuse from a group of tourists, hurled a stone towards the mob, striking the girl in the face. The 13-year-old elephant, named Ahai, was being subjected to taunts from tourists and was being pelted with stones, mud and plastic bottles, according to an unnamed spokesman with Wuhan Zoo. Ahai, who has lived in the zoo with his friend A'nan for seven years, curled up a stone in his trunk and ...
2007-02-26 - Assam, India. International Fund for Animal Welfare
IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and its partner, WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) today announced that six elephant calves have been successfully released to the wild in Manas National Park. The elephants, hand-raised at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC)—were transported 450 kilometers from Indias Kaziranga National Park to Manas National Park. In Manas the elephants will be reintegrated into a wild herd once they are familiarized with the area. It is the...
2007-02-26 - St. Louis, United States.
The 236-pound elephant was born to Rani, the zoo's 10-year-old asian elephant.Advertisement. This is Rani's first baby and the second for the baby's father, Raja. Raja is also the father of little Maliha, who was born in August. It's the second baby elephant in a year at the zoo. Rani's mother, Ellie, had a baby last year that was named Maliha. That baby was also fathered by Raja.
2007-02-26 - Beijing, China.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa landed in China this morning for a six-day state visit that coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The President presented a five-year-old Sri Lankan elephant, Migara, to the Chinese government as a gift to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The baby elephant is finding a new home at the Beijing Zoo.
2007-02-26 - WASHINGTON, United States. RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
The complex science of DNA analysis is now helping protect elephants by showing police and conservationists the source of black-market ivory according to a report by Samuel K. Wasser of the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington in this week's online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Wasser and colleagues took samples of the confiscated ivory and compared it with baseline DNA collected from elephants across the continent over several year...
2007-02-26 - , United States. Robin Lloyd
The illegal trade in elephant ivory is growing again at an alarming pace due to organized crime, but new research estimating the geographic origin of "the Singapore seizure," 6.5 tons of contraband tusks, points to a plan to prevent African pachyderm extinction. Up to 5 percent of Africa's population of elephants [image] was killed by poachers for the year ending in August 2006, said University of Washington biologist Samuel Wasser. That amounted to more than 23,000 elephants, which yielded an e...
2007-02-25 - LEWISTOWN, United States.
Artifact Identification Day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown. At 3 p.m. Lincoln College student Judd McCullum and his zoology professor G. Dennis Campbell will give a presentation on their recent discovery of mammoth remains on a school field-trip. Colleague Dr. Jeffrey Saunders, curator of geology for the Illinois State Museum, will follow them with a presentation, "Tales Told by Elephants Found in Illinois," which will review scientific debate over mammoth speci...
2007-02-25 - JOHANNESBURG, South Africa. Stella Mapenzauswa
South Africa needs to consider restarting elephant culls because growing numbers of the mammal now threaten local habitats, the WWF conservation group has said. "What has happened in the last 10 years is that protected areas ... had elephant numbers grow to where they are actually suppressing the habitat, the vegetation," Rob Little, acting chief executive of WWF South Africa, told Reuters late on Friday.
2007-02-25 - Zakouma National Park, Chad. Mike Fay
Zakouma National Park, a preserve in southeastern Chad, is home to 4,000 elephants. Sadly, they're not safe from poachers. Mike Fay, who wrote the article "Ivory Wars" for National Geographic, describes the problem. (Listen to mp3 file)
2007-02-25 - Dacca, Bangladesh. Sheikh Arif Bulbon
The number of elephants is alarmingly decreasing in forests of Cox's Bazar and Teknaf, where once one-third of elephant population of the country was found, due to undue pressure of deforestation and increasing of human activities in forest areas. According to the last census of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), there are only 30 to 35 elephants in forests of Teknaf and Southern Cox's Bazar regions.
2007-02-25 - BARIPADA, India.
Mayurbhanj district is one of the worst-hit areas as far as elephant menace is concerned and local people are distressed over the indifference shown by the government to their problem. Local MLA Mr Sambhunath Nayak, along with the people of six grama panchayats under the Josipur block, threatened to launch a dharna in front of the range office of Simlipal Tiger Reserver in Josipur. Mayurbhanj is the second worst-affected district after Keonjhar as far as elephant menace is concerned, al...
2007-02-25 - Beijing, China.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who left for China last night, will hand over a Pinnawela baby Elephant to China at a ceremony today to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and China. Here the baby elephant, named Migara, which is already at the China Zoo is seen attending a rehearsal yesterday prior to today’s ceremony.
2007-02-24 - Ranchi, India. ARUN KUMAR THAKUR
Meet Tulsi Mahto, the head of the RIMS forensic department. Mahto also discovered that there had been an increase in deaths caused by wild elephants after the inception of the state. In 1999, the wild elephants had killed five persons, but 16 persons were killed by tuskers in 2002. Everyone, including forest department officials and rural folks, need to realise that the continued depletion of habitat for elephants because of rampant felling of trees in forest areas will lead to more and more ele...
2007-02-24 - Galle, Sri Lanka. Irangika RANGE
JUMBO FAIR: While creating an exhilarating, competitive and fun atmosphere for over 600 of foreign spectators and players and raising awareness of the plight of the Asian Domestic Elephants, SriLankan Airlines (SLA) sponsored the sixth Annual Ceylon Elephant Polo Association (CEPA) tournament which was concluded at the magnificent historical ramparts of Fort of Galle last week. The event comprising eight international teams including 50 foreign players and two local teams such as Sri Lanka Army ...
2007-02-24 - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
New Yorker Ashrita Furman looked around for a record he could break, and settled on doing the most squat thrusts in one minute. Then he decided on a place the back of an elephant in northern Thailand. He achieved both goals as he climbed onto a platform on the back of an obliging pachyderm in blazing heat and powered through 40 of the vigorous kicks in a minute.
2007-02-24 - Windhoek, Namibia. Absalom Shigwedha
THE MINISTRY of Environment and Tourism in the Kavango Region has sent a team to Yikota village to investigate reports about problems caused by elephants. School children there are boycotting classes, claiming that they are afraid of encountering elephants on their way to school. Nkokwena Chrispin, the Acting Control Officer for Wildlife in the Kavango Region, told The Namibian that three wildlife officials were dispatched to the area on Wednesday.
2007-02-24 - Guwahati, India.
Elephants are known for their ability to work hard. But, when they have no work they are out to beg to appease their belly. According to Sahara Samay report, as cutting of trees has been banned in Assam, elephants which take logs of wood from one place to another have become jobless. Sujata Chaudhary, owner of one of the elephants, told the channel that they are compelled to go out to beg as they have no work to do. This is irony that this useful animal has suddenly turned a white elephant.
Six elephant calves, rescued from different parts of Assam and raised in an animal farm in the Kaziranga National park, were Saturday relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in the first such conservation exercise undertaken by India. 'The elephants will be reintegrated to a wild herd after they are familiarised to the area. This will be the first exercise in India after Sri Lanka and Kenya too have successfully released hand-raised elephants into the wild,' a WTI statement said.
2007-02-24 - Bhubaneswar, India.
A joint operation by the Forest Department and Crime Branch of Orissa police led to arrest of three persons and seizure of over 14 kg of ivory in Orissa on Saturday made it clear that the State was a soft target of poachers. One kg of ivory could fetch up to Rs 40 000 in international market. Orissa is home to more than 1800 elephants that were found in the forests of Satkosia, Nayagarh, Chandaka, Similipal, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Rairakhol and Sambalpur.
2007-02-23 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nimal S.Bogahawatta
The successive governments since independence have failed to find a solution to the human elephant conflict that resulted in massive destruction of human lives, land and fields and the extinction of elephant population in the country, which is a national asset. 400 houses were among the property destroyed by wild elephants. The people in affected areas said the electric fence now being erected by Lunugamvehera Wildlife Conservation office is only a temporary measure.
2007-02-23 - New Delhi, India.
We've all heard of orphanages for children, but one for elephants is rather hard to believe. The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has set up a first-of-its-kind orphanage centre for elephants inside the Manas National Park in Assam. The Assam Elephant Orphanage Centre, which is to be inaugurated on Saturday, was established in wake of the increasing number of animals, particularly elephants, becoming orphan in the state.
2007-02-22 - Stillwater, United States. Duer C, Carden M, Tomasi T. , Oklahoma State University
Previous studies have analyzed total testosterone concentrations in maternal serum for a reliable method of fetal gender determination in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The present study investigated the possibility that progesterone concentrations in maternal serum may reflect these testosterone patterns. Mean progesterone concentrations in maternal serum of elephants carrying male calves were greater than in those carrying female calves (P<0.01).
2007-02-22 - St. Louis, United States. Diane Toroian Keaggy, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Like her mother, Ellie, Asian elephant Rani appears in no rush to deliver her calf. At the St. Louis Zoo, Rani is in the 23rd month of her pregnancy. While many elephants deliver after 22 months, Ellie waited almost two years before she delivered daughter Maliha on Aug. 2. She is expecting a female calf. Rani has gained about 1,000 pounds during her pregnancy and now weighs 6,500 pounds. Zookeepers check daily for a drop in her progesterone levels, the telltale sign that labor will commence soon...
2007-02-22 - Sydney, Australia. AAP
SEEKING respite from Sydney's heat, two Asian elephants today played with their keepers under the waterfall in their newly built Taronga Zoo enclosure. Thong Dee and Tang Mo, two of five elephants that arrived in Australia in November last year, spent the morning splashing around in the water as part of their traditional daily routine. The five elephants, including today's absentees Pornthip, Pak Boon and Gung, arrived in Sydney from Thailand last year after a two-year legal battle to bri...
2007-02-22 - FRANCISTOWN, Botswana. BOPA
Elephants are reported to be causing havoc in the northern part of Botswana, by destroying field crops and farm properties. Farmers are therefore calling upon government to act swiftly and protect their field crops and properties from the destructive elephants. The issue has caused heated debate in many of the kgotla meetings addressed by MPs and ministers in the northern parts of the country.
2007-02-22 - New Delhi, India.
In the first-ever recorded case in India, six hand-reared elephants will be rehabilitated in the wild on Friday, in a bid to check the plummeting numbers of the animal in the North-East. The elephants, which have been rescued from various parts of Assam and reared at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation in Kaziranga National Park, will be tranquillised and taken on a 450 km overnight drive to Manas National Park.
2007-02-22 - Lyon, France. Orlando L, Pages M, Calvignac S, Hughes S, Hanni C. , University Lyon
Pigmy elephants inhabited the islands from the Mediterranean region during the Pleistocene period but became extinct in the course of the Holocene. Pigmy elephants could be most probably seen as members of the genus Elephas. Poulakakis et al (2006) have recently challenged this view by recovering a short mtDNA sequence from an 800 000 year old fossil of the Cretan pigmy elephant (Elephas creticus).
2007-02-22 - Copenhagen, Denmark. Binladen J, Gilbert MT, Willerslev E. , Niels Bohr Institute and Biological Institute, University of Copenhagen
Poulakakis and colleagues (Poulakakis et al. 2006: Biol. Lett. 2, 451-454), report the recovery of 'authentic' mammoth DNA from an 800,000-year-old fragment of bone excavated on the island of Crete. In light of results from other ancient DNA studies that indicate how DNA survival is unlikely in samples, which are recovered from warm environments and are relatively old (e.g. more than 100,000 years), these findings come as a great surprise.
2007-02-21 - HODSON, Canada. MONICA GRAHAM
"I’m going to find a mastodon if it kills me," he said. "They found that one in Stewiacke — there’s got to be more. One of these days, I’m going to see a tusk sticking out of a bend in a river." Nova Scotia’s ancient past has a lot more to reveal through its fossils and other artifacts, Mr. Wayne Hronek said. Once upon a time, long before the first dinosaur, a giant sow bug crawled through some swampy muck in a place that some day in the far-off future would become the Pictou County ha...
2007-02-21 - Stanton Harcourt, United Kingdom.
A rare collection of fossils including a 6ft (1.8m) mammoth tusk was missing for months before its owner noticed it had been stolen. She told police the last time she had seen the £15,000 fossil collection was in October 2006. The 200,000-year-old relics included a mammoth tusk (curved and over 6ft long) and teeth, bison limb bones and reindeer antlers.
2007-02-21 - Sydney, Australia. Deborah Smith
HIGH on an extinct volcano in Africa the elephants of Kenya, after trekking long distances to a cave on Mount Elgon, begin to mine and eat salt from the rock. The Australian scientist Derek Denton discovered the link between salt and high blood pressure which he outlines in The Primordial Emotions.
2007-02-21 - Raipur, India. Indo-Asian News Service
As many as 27 people have been killed by wild elephants in Chhattisgarh since April 2005, which includes 12 deaths this year, according to state Forest and Revenue Minister Brijmohan Agrawal. All the deaths were reported from three northern districts - Raigarh, Surguja and Jashpur - that have most of their area under forest cover
2007-02-21 - HARTFORD, United States.
State Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, and State Rep. Stephen Fontana, D-North Haven, will hold a press conference at 12:30 p.m. today in Room 1B of the Legislative Office Building to talk about a bill they've introduced to eliminate the mistreatment of captive elephants. Specifically, the bill would outlaw using bullhooks or chains on elephants. Joining the lawmakers will be former Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus animal provider Archele Hundley and other animal rights groups repr...
2007-02-21 - San Andreas, United States. Vanessa Turner, Calaveras Bureau
A deal has been reached to bring two elephants from the Hawthorn Corporation in Illinois to the Performing Animal Welfare Society in San Andreas. The society maintains a 2,300-acre animal sanctuary just off Pool Station Road in San Andreas. Nicholas, an adolescent Asian elephant and his companion Gypsy are the last elephants to live at the Illinois facility. The Hawthorn Corporation is donating the elephants along with a financial contribution for the animals' initial care.
2007-02-21 - LOS ANGELES, United States. Associated Press
Animal welfare activists called on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to retire the city zoo's 46-year-old elephant to a sanctuary. In two letters to the mayor Tuesday, humane groups and former zoo workers demanded that Ruby the elephant be sent from "solitary confinement" at the Los Angeles Zoo to a 150-acre sanctuary in Northern California. Zoo officials are weighing whether to send Ruby to the refuge or to another zoo.
2007-02-20 - Eastbourne, United Kingdom.
A ZOOLOGIST from Eastbourne who is currently carrying out research into wildlife in Kenya is looking for funds to aid her project. Lucy King, from Meads, travelled to Africa at the beginning of 2006 and is currently working with a research team called Save The Elephants. Lucy says her team, which is headed by elephant expert Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, is interested in finding some crop protection methods that can be financed and managed by the farmers themselves.
2007-02-20 - Pittsburgh, United States. Allison M. Heinrichs
They already have trunks. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium revealed a first glimpse of its elephant babies, more than a year before the new arrivals are expected to get their first view of the world. The zoo showed off ultrasound videos of the approximately 4-month-old elephant fetuses carried by its two pregnant elephants at a media event Tuesday morning.
2007-02-18 - Kariba, Zimbabwe. Johnny Rodrigues, Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
We have just received a very sad report from a gentleman named Dave who resides in the UK. In October last year, Dave came to Zimbabwe to do a walk through the bush from Kariba to Binga. On the Eastern shoreline of the Sengwa basin, Dave came across 2 baby elephants that appeared to have been abandoned. One was very thin but alive and the other had been speared and butchered to death.
2007-02-17 - Hongsa, Laos.
The Hongsa Elephant Festival has been organised to raise awareness of the need for action to protect the Asian elephant as part of the vital cultural and natural heritage of Laos and the countries of the region. Sayaboury Province welcomes you to pay tribute to its elephants and enjoy great cultural activities and entertainment. A unique 2-days cultural attraction for visitors to Laos!
2007-02-17 - PORTLAND, United States. Craig Edwards
Tusko the elephant was said to be doing fine after veterinarians at the Oregon Zoo wrapped up surgery to remove an infected tusk. However, they weren’t able to finish the job. So we left a little fragment of his tusk, said lead veterinarian Mitch Finnegan. It’s still up inside his head…we’re going to have to come back at a later date to remove it.
2007-02-16 - KOZHIKODE, India.
This time it was the turn of people of Cheliya in Chengottukavu panchayat near Koyilandy to get terrorised by ‘elephants on run’. Vikhnaraj, the tusker which ran amok, created panic in the area for almost an hour on Thursday morning before getting tranquillised by Dr K C Panicker, an expert in tranquillising raging elephants. The pachyderm had started showing symptoms of musth on Wednesday. Fortunately, no one was hurt and no loss of property was reported. The elephant, owned by K P Raveendr...
2007-02-16 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Finally, a frustrated Vinay Shankar had to ram into a lorry larger and heavier than himself and break his own head in front of the Sankarankulangara temple in Thrissur on Wednesday to make humans aware of the kind of atrocities he and his tribe are being subjected to in the name of festivals. Says elephant expert Dr Jacob Cheeran: “They transport elephants in trucks flouting all established norms. The elephant brokers are too eager to reach them as early as possible to as many festival venues ...
2007-02-16 - PINNAWELA, Sri Lanka. Dharme Sri ABEYRATNE
"Migara", born on June 23, 2001, is the first baby of "Menika". His grandmother is "Komali" which was among the first five orphans when the orphanage started in 1975. Migara weighs 975 Kilos and his height is five feet five inches. Migara will be airlifted to China. His two keepers (mahouts), a veterinary surgeon and an assistant curator of the orphanage will accompany Migara and stay in China until he gets used to the Chinese language and food.
2007-02-16 - TAIPEI, Taiwan.
A Taiwanese theme park has dropped a plan to use a cable made of 320,000 human hairs to lift an elephant, a report said Friday. The United Daily News said the theme park made the decision after critics said the act could scare the animal. The Naughty Boy Theme Park had planned to attach the cable to a crane and use it to lift a 6-ton elephant to mark the opening of a wildlife zoo, the newspaper said.
2007-02-16 - PITTSBURGH, United States.
The elephant population at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is about to get a little larger. On Friday, zoo officials confirmed that two of the zoo's elephants are pregnant. Nan and Moja are expected to give birth in May or June of 2008. Officials said the zoo's bull elephant, Jackson, is the father to both.
2007-02-16 - SEMINOLE, United States. LORRIE LYKINS
Sierra Sarti-Sweeney was practicing nature photography in a heavily wooded area of Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole last month when a shiny black rock caught her eye. She took it home to show it to her 22-year-old brother, Sean, a geology student at the University of South Florida. After some Internet research, the siblings came to two conclusions: the football-sized rock was actually the tooth of a long extinct mammoth, and they were in over their heads. The family contacted area paleonto...
2007-02-16 - Beijing, China. Xinhua
A total of 67.45 kilograms of ivory products was seized from the luggage of a female passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo at Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday. The female passenger, flying from Addis Abba to Beijing, chose to go through the nothing-to-declare lane of the customs upon her arrival in Beijing. She was found to be carrying half-finished mahjong sets, bracelets, necklaces and other ornaments made of ivory when customs officers examined her luggage. Anti-smug...
2007-02-15 - Buffalo, New York, United States.
News 4 is teaming up with the Buffalo Zoo to help keep the three precious pachyderms at the zoo. The elephants need a bigger home, and the public is being asked to help raise the funds. The playful pachyderms are making a plea to animal lovers on Valentine's Day - they need help turning their elephant house into an elephant mansion. Buffalo Zoo President Dr. Donna Fernandes said, "If we were not to do the expansion, we would have two choices: we would either lose our professional accreditation o...
2007-02-15 - THRISSUR, India.
An elephant that ran amok on Wednesday created tension for more than three hours in the Poonkunnam area until it was tranquillised. Bastian Vinay Shankar, the elephant owned by a timber company, was brought to Poonkunnam on Monday night after a festival in Kootikavu temple. It was chained at the ground owned by the Sankarankulangara temple along with six other elephants.Vinay Shankar dislodged his mahout and injured him while it was being taken for a bath.
2007-02-15 - Portland, Oregon, United States. Vince Patton, kgw.com
The patient is Tusko, a 37-year-old Asian elephant with a broken and chronically infected tusk. The infections have persisted so long, zoo officials have decided they must remove it in a risky surgery. An elephant cage will serve as the operating room and a giant waterbed as the surgical table.
2007-02-15 - GALLE, Sri Lanka. Simon Gardner, Reuters
The four-ton elephant threw off his mahout and American rider as the island's sixth annual elephant polo tournament got under way, rampaging off the pitch and crushing the Spanish team's minibus with his head. Spanish horseback polo player and horse breeder Inigo de Arteaga, the Marquis de Tavara from north of Madrid, is used to injuries. "You can fall any time, it can be an elephant, pony, a horse. Last year I broke my wrist. Two years ago I broke two ribs," he said, looking at the remains of h...
2007-02-15 - Buffalo, New York, United States. TOM BUCKHAM
The elephants played leapfrog Wednesday in the Buffalo Zoo. That is, the expansion of their historic building hopped over other projects to the top of the to-do list in the zoo's $75 million reconstruction program. If $1 million can be secured over the next few months, the internal expansion of the Elephant House will be done this summer, Donna M. Fernandes, zoo president, said at a news conference kicking off fundraising. If not, the work will be done in the summer of 2008.
2007-02-15 - LOS ANGELES, United States.
Very soon one of the zoo's beloved elephants could leave Los Angeles according to an NBC4 report. The question of where Ruby the elephant should go is an issue even Mayor Villaraigosa admits has divided the city. Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Mayor: Two very strong centers of influence in our community. One believes, like I do, that elephants belong in sanctuaries and not zoos. The others support a zoo and the elephants in our zoo.
2007-02-15 - Guwahati, India.
An ailing female elephant abandoned by her herd died near Amchang wildlife sanctuary at Sonapur on the fringes of Guwahati, forest department sources here today said. The forest officials, along with a veterinary surgeon, rushed to the site but despite their best efforts, the elephant died yesterday, sources said. Guwahati wildlife division sources said the elephant was probably sick for quite a while, prompting her herd to abandon her. On Monday, the animal was spotted by villagers near Amchang...
2007-02-14 - Galle, Sri Lanka.
From the 14th – 17th February 2007, at least eight international teams will be fighting it out at the southern seaside town of Galle, Sri Lanka to participate in the 6th Annual International Elephant Tournament. The tournament is hosted by CEPA (Ceylon Elephant Polo Association).
2007-02-14 - Hampton roads, Virginia, United States. Lori Crouch
-"Its not just one bad trainers or handler its ringling's culture," says two former Ringling Bros. circus employees are joining forces with PETA to speak out about. Crystal Drake, public relations manager for the circus had this to say about the PETA's latest campaign: "This comes as no surprise to me that PETA is misrepresenting and malnipulating our dismissal of them for there own publicity."
2007-02-14 - BANGKOK, Thailand.
Thai couples marked Valentine's Day with weddings on elephant back and hanging off cliffs, while authorities warned young singles not to let the celebration of love lead them too far down the path of temptation. Twenty-eight couples — 22 of them including a foreign partner — celebrated their love by getting married on the backs of elephants in Surin province in northeastern Thailand.
2007-02-14 - KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Davina Quarterman
Being female can be a risky business, especially if you are a Marula tree in Africa receiving the attention of elephants. The tasty, nutritious and vitamin C-rich Marula fruits are much sought after by both man and animals. It is a stable "wild food" and base for the popular Amarula liquor. But Marula has separate male and female trees so fruiting females attract browsing elephants, which cause damage to branches and bark.
2007-02-13 - Thiruvananthapuram, India.
The Malayali’s near-spiritual bond with elephants has deteriorated into a primitive game of survival as deadly and unpredictable as bull-fighting. In a span of just 40 days, from December 31 to February 10, elephants have gored or stomped 13 people to death in various parts of the state. The last four deaths took place in just three days. Even in 2004, said to be the bloodiest, the toll was only seven for the entire festival season – December to May.
2007-02-13 - Mangalore, India. Dayanand Kukkaje Daijiworld Media Network
Joining this visitor was yet another quadruped was an elephant calf, found deserted by it mother in the Charmadi Ghat region, the Nisargadhama officials were approached by the locals. The calf has been brought to the biological park and is now well cared. According to the officials of the Nisargadhama, the calf is below one month of age and has average survival chances.
2007-02-13 - FRANCISTOWN, Botswana. BOPA
Francistown Magistrate Court has fined 76-year-old Mbako Mongwa P2000 or three months imprisonment in default of payment for the unlawful possession of an elephant tusk. Mongwa who pleaded guilty was found in possession of an elephant tusk weighing 6.1 kg and valued at P2 300 on March 17, 2006 at his house in Area S in Francistown.
2007-02-13 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The plight of Sri Lankan elephants has been thrown into the spotlight as the 6th Annual Ceylon Elephant Polo Association (CEPA) tournament opens tomorrow. As fears grow that the Sri Lankan elephant could become extinct by the end of the 21st century, Sri Lankan wildlife personality Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne has been speaking out. The tournament, which runs from 14 - 17 February, will hold a number of events to raise money for the Sri Lankan elephant.
2007-02-12 - Guy, Arkansas, United States. Heather Crawford
Across the United States, there are only about 600 elephants. But just 45 minutes outside of Little Rock, you can find a herd of endangered and threatened species and they don’t live at a zoo. (Scott Riddle, Riddle’s Elephant Sanctuary) "Our mission is to make sure elephants don’t disappear basically because they’re highly endangered all over the world."
2007-02-12 - Nanning, China.
A male elephant in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, traveled thousands of miles to marry a female elephant in Sichuan Province recently. Xing Xing, a 10-year-old male elephant at Nanning Zoo, was old enough to marry, but did not have a mate. The zoo posted advertisements looking for one on the websites of other zoos and finally received a response from the Bifengxia Zoo in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, which had an adult female elephant in need of a spouse.
2007-02-11 - Ranchi, India. AMIT GUPTA
Elephants destroy crops and even trample human beings. But when an elephant got trapped in a well in the village, about 47 km from the state capital, after the clock struck 12 last night, the villagers could not but rescue it. The wild elephant calf, not more than a month old, fell into the well of one Maharaj Singh of Jamni village beside Bero forest between 1 am and 2 am. Before the little elephant fell into the well, a herd of six elephants caused havoc in the nearby villages destroying crops...
2007-02-11 - Ranchi, India.
Farmers in Jharkhand are now keeping in mind the tastes of elephants while sowing crops to prevent the tuskers from rampaging their fields and killing people. In the last few years, the farmers have come to know the likes and dislikes of elephants that regularly enter the villages, damage standing crops and kill people too. They now prefer not to sow rabi: crops.
2007-02-10 - Thiruvananthapuram, India. G. Anand
Illegal ivory trade seems to be flourishing secretly in the city. On January 17 this year, the Forest Department seized a pair of elephant tusks from the house of a suspected ivory dealer at Eenchakkal. The tusks, weighing 2.2 kg, were extracted from a young male elephant shot dead by poachers in the Adimali Forest Range recently.
2007-02-10 - Chennai, India.
Irked by a two wheeler rider constantly sounding the horn of his vehicle, a temple elephant lifted the man and flung him to the ground, seriously injuring him, at Marthandam near Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district, police said. Reports from Nagercoil said the youth was riding the motorcycle behind the elephant which was taking part in a procession as part of the Mariamman temple festival in Marthandam town. He sounded his horn continuously, in a bid to get past the elephant and the crowd. Irritat...
2007-02-09 - Springfield, United States. STAN FREEMAN
Evolution can be a long, strange road. For that symbol of the ice age, the woolly mammoth, it was stranger than for most. It was part of an order of animals, Proboscidea, that began small - about the size of pigs - then grew large. Some woolly mammoths, in fact, stood as high as 13 feet at the shoulder. But in the end, these cold-loving mammoths grew small again, belying their name. Like dinosaurs, woolly mammoths are creatures of myth. Both are huge, extinct and fascinating to kids.
2007-02-09 - Mayapur, India. Bhakti Caru Swami, Vrindavan Lila Dasi, HRIMATI Mataji, Gandharvika Devi Dasi, Vrindavan Lila Dasi,
I remember when Gulab was brought to Mayapur in early eighties. Sundar-kali, the grown up female elephant, was already there in Mayapur and it was felt that she needed a companion. So Bhavananda Prabhu asked Radhajivan to arrange for another elephant, and he suggested that this one should be a baby. Radhajivan went to a big animal fare in Uttar Pradesh and brought Gulab. She was just a little baby at that time, may be just about a few months old.
2007-02-08 - EDMONTON, Canada. Lisa Arrowsmith, Canadian Press
Canada's cold climate and small zoo enclosures are making elephants sick, stressed and bored, according to a report released Wednesday by the animal rights group Zoocheck Canada. But people responsible for the animals quickly dismissed the group's calls to stop captive breeding programs and relocate elephants to sanctuaries in warmer parts of the United States.
2007-02-08 - Edmonton, Canada. MICHELLE MARK, SUN MEDIA
Valley Zoo officials are slamming a report that says their elephant enclosures are the worst in Canada. Valley Zoo spokesman Jan Archbold said the elephants are perfectly fine right where they are. She also said the Valley Zoo is accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). "When they were here recently, they found the enclosures were well within the needs of having two elephants and that the care and handling of the elephants was outstanding," she said, adding she doesn'...
2007-02-08 - Madurai, India.
The Forest Department has set up watch towers and camps at different places to prevent hunting of elephants in Meghamalai Sanctuary, officials said here today. The measures were taken following complaints about elephants being poached in the forest area spread over 55,000 hectare, official sources said here today. According to estimates, there were 172 elephants, including four tuskers, 78 female elephants and 14 calves, in the area, they said.
2007-02-08 - Mysore, India. RADHA H.S.
We were headed for the Dubbare Elephant Camp by the Cauvery, situated two hours from Mysore city. We went across the river, sparkling and beautiful, the trees on the banks, in bloom, adding colour to the already beautiful scene. And on the far side were the elephants in the water. The mahout began to scrub the elephant. He called out to us to `give Indra a good scrub'. He climbed onto the elephant's folded leg and scrubbed the top of his head and even behind the ears!
2007-02-08 - Washington, United States.
Veterinarians performed tests on one of the National Zoo's Asian elephants yesterday in hopes of figuring out why she lost her appetite and grew lethargic last month. Zoo officials expressed concern about Ambika, one of three elephants at the animal park and, at 59, one of the oldest Asian elephants in the country. The symptoms appeared in late January, along with a low red blood cell count. Although Ambika has shown signs of improvement, the zoo wants to pinpoint what was wrong.
2007-02-08 - Nairobi, Kenya.
A British woman, trampled and left for dead by an elephant in Kenya, is suing the luxury lodge that she says failed to warn her of the dangers posed by wild animals. Il Ngwesi lodge stands amid the acacia dotted splendour of the Lewa Downs Conservancy, which is run by Ian Craig, a member of one of Kenya's most famous white families. Prince William is a frequent visitor after dating Jecca Craig, his daughter. Wendy Martin, 46, had to be airlifted to the UK after being gored by the elephant during...
2007-02-08 - Washington, United States. BRETT ZONGKER
The 59-year-old elephant lost her appetite last month and showed signs of lethargy, and tests revealed a low red blood cell count. Veterinarians performed an ultrasound exam Wednesday and found excessive blood and a clot in Ambika's reproductive tract, likely caused by a ruptured vessel. The blood clot did not pose an immediate danger and could be serving as a "bandage" for the ruptured vessel, zoo officials said.
2007-02-08 - BOWMANVILLE, Canada. Jennifer Stone
Mr. Hackenberger suggested ZooCheck, which has made previous allegations about both him and the zoo, releases these reports simply as a money-making venture. They have an anti-zoo agenda and have yet to prove an allegation against him, he said. "There's a process for ethics violations," said Mr. Hackenberger. "If these people think I'm doing something wrong, they have the opportunity to charge me with an ethics violation. They've tried before and lost. Our largest point of immigration today on a...
2007-02-07 - Nairobi, Kenya.
Pachyderm is a bi-annual international peer-reviewed journal that deals primarily with matters related to African elephant and African and Asian rhino conservation and management in the wild. It is also a platform for dissemination of information concerning the activities of the African Elephant, the African Rhino, and the Asian Rhino Specialist Groups of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).
2007-02-07 - Whipsnade, United Kingdom.
Look at the size of these babies! This little rhino calf and elephant calf made their public debut at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park yesterday. The Asian elephant calf was born on January 19 to mum Kaylee and dad Emmett. Both of the animal youngsters are female and their birth delighted Whipsnade keepers and staff. The baby elephant is Kaylee's second-born. The little jumbo weighed 170lbs at birth, and was just under one metre tall.
2007-02-07 - Osaka, Japan. Alexander Joe
Japanese authorities have arrested two men for trying to import 2.8 tons of ivory, a record amount seized in the country which is a top black market for elephant tusks. The ivory, which came from African elephants, was found in a ship that came from Malaysia via South Korea, police said in the western port of Osaka. An official at the Osaka customs house said the amount of seized ivory was 2.8 tons, the largest since the ban went into effect. The second largest was a shipment of about two tons c...
2007-02-07 - Liverpool, United Kingdom.
African bull Nissim required emergency treatment to fix a broken tusk after trying to boss his future wives. One of them decided to let him know his attentions were unwelcome. Nissim, who is 12, required the equivalent of a human root canal filling after losing part of his tusk when he was pushed away.
2007-02-06 - PROVIDENCE, United States. Karen Lee Ziner
Under Schmitt’s direction, this weekend marked the Roger Williams Park Zoo’s first attempt at artificially inseminating an elephant, a method that in 2002 produced the first two elephant calves born in captivity in the world, at the Toledo Zoo. The team assembled, including Schmitt; his assistant, graduate student Kristy Marson; lead elephant keeper Jennifer Warmbold; and keepers Brett Haskins, Lisa Ruggiero and Tom Troy. In the wings stood French and chief veterinarian Cheryl Cullion.
2007-02-06 - Benidorm, Spain. valencialife.net
Petita, the loneliest elephant inside the Terra Natura theme park in Benidorm has now become a true star after being adopted by the Antiga de Campanar Falla Chapter. Petita had been scorned by her fellow elephants as she was unable to put on any weight, and she was left to her own devices by the group -much to the astonishment of staff at the park who admitted that they never thought that a herd of elephants could turn on one of its number.
2007-02-06 - Amer Fort, India. Lokendra Singh
The hugely popular elephant rides at a centuries-old Amer Fort in Rajasthan are turning into a prime foreign exchange earner for the state. At a hefty US 12.5 per dollar ride according to local standards, it's actually too little a price to pay for something so uniquely Indian. At least, hoards of foreign tourists, who arrive at the Amer Fort, seem to think so.
2007-02-06 - Twycross, United Kingdom.
Two major Leicestershire attractions have joined forces this week in a mutually beneficial arrangement of quite an unusual nature. Snibston Country Park rangers were approached by staff from Twycross Zoo with a problem that they are happily able to solve. The rangers have been asked to help feed the giraffes and elephants at the zoo with the leftover cuttings from their land management of the park.
2007-02-06 - El Paso, United States.
There have been continuous concerns about the elephants living in inhumane conditions. Today, the zoo's new director, Steve Marshal, asked the council for more time to review the issue. He says he wants to research two other zoos that have elephants and two that do not. Marshal promises to have a recommendation by late March.
2007-02-06 - Calgary, Canada. Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald
An elephant that rejected her first baby immediately after giving birth two years ago is pregnant again. Maharani is about 16 months pregnant and expected to deliver this summer, Calgary Zoo veterinarian Sandie Black confirmed Monday. Vets have been unable to get a good ultrasound picture of the fetus because of its position, but Black said they expect to begin monitoring the level of pregnancy hormones in the next couple of weeks, as they will drop in advance of the birth.
2007-02-05 - Wheeling, West Virginia, United States.
Trains students to be competent elephant managers. Course content focuses on the foundation necessary for developing comprehensive and proactive elephant management programs. Students will take away skills for creating self-sustaining elephant management programs. For elephant managers, zoo curators who oversee elephant programs and elephant handlers. Class size limited to 30.
2007-02-05 - El Paso, United States. David Crowder, El Paso Times
What to do about the El Paso Zoo's two elephants, Savannah and Juno, is back on the City Council's agenda Tuesday. The question is whether the zoo's elephant habitat is so inadequate that the aging elephants would be better off at a sanctuary in Tennessee and whether subjecting them to the journey and the stress would put them in greater danger than they are now, South-West city Rep. Beto O'Rourke said.
2007-02-05 - DHARMAPURI, India.
The Forest Department has asked people residing in villages adjoining forests in the district to protect themselves from elephants without injuring them. Elephants often stray into nearby villages in search of food and water frequently. To keep them away, the villagers spend sleepless nights with fire torches and crackers. According to sources, a herd of elephants strayed into the villages in Pennagaram, Neruppur, Pannanppatti, Chinnappanallur and Podupatti in search of water.
2007-02-04 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The streets of Colombo transform under the weight of 100 colourful elephants during February's full moon. The event usually has as many as 1000 performers. The Navam Perahera, which started in 1979, attracts more than a million spectators every year to the Gangaramaya Temple, at Hunupitiya on the banks of the picturesque Beira Lake.
2007-02-04 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. Childers Jayawardhana
Eminent conservationist, intellectual, excellent administrator and lover of music, Lyn de Alwis passed away on November 22, 2006. The demise of Lyn de Alwis, who rendered a great service to both the Zoological Gardens and the Wildlife Service in Sri Lanka and in foreign lands is a loss to the nation and the world. His love of the wilderness, the natural environment was second nature to him from his younger days.
2007-02-04 - Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The Nation
Thailand Sunday saw the first ever birth of an African elephant in captivity at state-owned Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo. The male baby, whose name is pending a naming contest result, is the only third African elephant in Thailand. Born to his African elephant parents exactly at 4.09 am Sunday morning, he is fathered by Ap and mothered by Jaew, both 17 years old, which were brought to Thailand from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1998.
2007-02-04 - Jamshedpur, India.
The depletion of green cover in state forests has once again spurred elephants attack several Seraikela-Kharsawan villages for foodgrain last night. While three villagers were injured in the raid, the herd also damaged many houses on their way to have crops, particularly paddy, piled up in Kochidih, Bansa and Dumkadih villages under Chandil block. The condition of the injured villagers undergoing treatment at Chandil hospital is reported to be stable.
2007-02-02 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. ColomboPage News Desk
Sri Lanka's Association of the Owners of Tamed Elephants has requested from the government to provide them elephants or to allow them to catch them. The Chairman of the Association of the Owners of Tamed Elephants, Nilanga Dela Bandara says that Sri Lanka now has only 150 tamed elephants and 120 of them are over sixty years old. He pointed out that only six elephants are eligible for carrying caskets in religious processions.
2007-02-02 - Nairobi, Kenya. Beatrice Obwocha and Winnie Chumo
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) plans to experiment with contraceptives to control a surging elephant population. KWS Director, Dr Julius Kipngetich, said the experiment would be conducted on elephants at Shimba Hills in the Coast. "The use of contraceptives on elephants has worked in South Africa and we will borrow the idea to control the number of elephants," he said.
2007-02-02 - BISMARCK, Canada. ELOISE OGDEN
None of three mastodon teeth found in an attic in London, Ontario, belong to the Highgate mastodon which stands in the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck. John Hoganson, paleontologist for the North Dakota Geological Survey in Bismarck, told The Minot Daily News in an interview in November 2006 that he thought it was very likely at least one of the teeth found about a year ago in Ontario belonged to one of the elephant-like animals in the Heritage Center.
2007-02-02 - New York, United States. Mike O'Brian
There's been a discovery in Ithaca, New York, a place where people are discovering the history of the earth. The Museum of the Earth has a big attraction here is the Hyde Park Mastodon. Found in someone's back yard, it is one of the most complete skeletons ever found! The 40 foot Right Whale skeleton suspended in the lobby is also a favorite.
2007-02-01 - Sydney, Australia.
A row has broken out between the RSPCA and Sydney's Taronga Zoo over the care of one of its Asian elephants. Six-year-old elephant 'Gung' arrived from Thailand as part of a group three months ago. RSPCA spokeswoman, Jane Speechley, says they believe Gung has been separated from the others.
2007-02-01 - GWETA, Botswana. Dikole di tlhoka motlakase, BOPA
In other kgotla meetings at Tsokatshaa and Zoroga, the residents said they were losing hope in farming because elephants always destroyed their crops. The Rresidents told MP Mfa that they tried to fence their fields but the elephants destroyed the fences as well. They said the wildlife officers had instructed them to shoot the elephants, but this was a vain effort because elephants continued to return to the fields. The residents asked government to erect an electric cordon fence to protect thei...
2007-01-31 - Houston, United States. Houston Zoo Blog
That’s right; Mac’s new teeth continue to grow—along with his weight (he is now 644 pounds!) and his height - he now stands at 44 inches tall! Did you even know that elephants have teeth? Well, most elephants actually have six teeth—including their two tusks (which are actually teeth). They will go through six sets of the inside four teeth in their lifetime. (Mac will probably get his second set of teeth before he turns one.)
2007-01-31 - Hue, Vietnam. Bui Ngoc Long and Minh Phat
A 25-year-old elephant, a beast that has taken part in ritual processions in Hue ancient capital died last Saturday with a water pipe lodged in its gullet, said local authorities Wednesday. Nguyen Van Hung, head of Hue province’s animal health department, said the 4-ton animal had somehow gulped down two synthetic rubber pipes that then lodged in its esophagus.
2007-01-30 - Bangkok, Thailand.
Forest rangers in Thailand have a new assignment, they're charged with patrolling a major highway to stop looters from attacking trucks carrying sugar cane. The robbers, wild elephants that live in the areas around the highway. Officials have imposed a night-time curfew on the highway used to transport sugar cane because of recent looting. Elephants have broken into dozens of trucks that have stopped along the route to eat the truck's sweat cargo.
2007-01-30 - San Diego, United States. EAZA
Essential job functions for this position include the day to day management of animals, including cleaning, feeding and observing animals, administering medication and treatment as directed, providing training, enrichment, and participating in education programs. Animal husbandry knowledge as well as the ability to communicate observations orally and on written reports is required.
2007-01-29 - Colchester, United States.
It was on January 17 that Colchester Zoo discovered Zola was pregnant after tests were carried out by the German Primate Research Centre in Goettingen. A zoo spokeswoman said: “Keepers at Colchester Zoo were confident that she was indeed pregnant as she had not been in oestrus for some months. “A birth date is not yet known, however from several observed matings keepers at Colchester Zoo expect it to be around February or March 2008.”
2007-01-29 - Boston, United States. Andrew Ryan
State Senator Robert L. Hedlund insists that he is not a crusader. Nor, the Weymouth Republican hastens to add, is he a "vegetarian or anything." "It's just the further I got into this thing, the more appalled I became," Hedlund said today in a telephone interview. Hedlund is talking about elephants. Since late 2004, he has been pushing a bill on Beacon Hill to toughen the training and cruelty standards for circuses that bring elephants to Massachusetts.
2007-01-29 - SAPPORO, Japan.
A 60-year-old elephant at Sapporo Maruyama Zoo, the second oldest kept in captivity in Japan, died on Sunday, officials said. Hanako had been healthy until Saturday but suddenly died when she lost her balance and fell over, apparently squashing her internal organs. Hanako had been popular with visitors to the zoo since her arrival in July 1953. In 1999, Hanako briefly refused to eat following the death of an elephant at the zoo. But she eventually recovered and was the sole elephant at the zoo.
2007-01-28 - Lusaka, Zambia.
Zambia has urged the US to rescind its decision not to allow their citizens to bring trophies from elephant-hunting safaris. Zambia maintains that the elephant trophy-hunting is key to the conservation of elephants. A Zambian delegation has met the US Fisheries and Wildlife Services authorities to argue that increased quotas for trophy hunting in selected areas with transboundary elephant populations are necessary, reported Zambia Daily Mail Saturday.
2007-01-28 - Houston, United States. SALATHEIA BRYANT, Houston Chronicle
Houston Zoo officials had their hopes dashed this week when an ultrasound determined the middle-aged elephant was not pregnant. For weeks now, some zoo officials suspected Methai was in a family way after she was bred with the zoo's lone adult male, Thai, last summer. "We wanted to find out: Is she is, or is she ain't? And we know she ain't," zoo spokesman Brian Hill said Friday.
2007-01-28 - Narok, Kenya. Nicholas Wadhams, Chronicle Foreign Service
Mary Sinigi hates elephants. In December, an elephant terrorized her village, chased her husband down a dirt path and ripped the roof off her home while she and her five children cowered inside. "Because of elephants, we never rest," Sinigi said, recalling the predawn invasion. "When the kids leave in the morning to go out to school, we are not certain they will come back until we see them again."
2007-01-28 - Kampala, Uganda. Gerald Tenywa
THE elephant population in Queen Elizabeth National Park has hit the level of three decades ago of about 3,000. According to a census report released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the elephant population is about 2,959, up from 2,497 in 2004. The population doubled between 2000 and 2004 when it increased from 1,100. UWA’s head of research and monitoring Aggrey Rwetsiba attributed the growth to reduced poaching and increased migration of elephants from DR Congo. The park’s managemen...
2007-01-28 - Rome, Italy. Raffaele De Ritis
A partial view of the 12 elephants. Costumes and harnesses glows in the dark. "I must say, this certainly puts things into proper perspective as compared to the crap Ken & Nicole keep cranking out these days." Buckles Woodcock
2007-01-28 - Davis, United States. Yon L, Kanchanapangka S, Chaiyabutr N, Stanczyk F, Meepan S, Lasley B. University of California
The phenomenon of musth is a very stressful event, both behaviorally and physiologically. An ACTH stimulation test was conducted in four adult Asian bull elephants to investigate the possibility that the classical hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is active during musth, resulting in an increase in adrenally produced steroids. The pattern of results suggests that the adrenal steroid increase which occurs during musth results from some mechanism other than the classical HPA axis.
2007-01-27 - Karachi, Pakistan. Sidra Rafique Gooda
It has been almost six months since the death of “Anarkali,” who passed away on July17, 2006, and the Karachi Zoo still remains without an elephant, which is considered as a major source of attraction at any zoo. Anarkali the elephant was the heart of the zoo and there has, to-date, been no replacement after her death.After Anarkali, efforts have also increased in this regard. According to Mansoor Qazi, the Sri Lankan government is interested in donating a baby elephant to the Karachi Zoo.
2007-01-27 - KUANTAN, Malaysia. Shahrum Sayuthi
She was the ringleader, steering her cohorts on destructive rampages around several villages and signalling the retreat when things got too hot. Her year-long reign of terror ended yesterday. The female elephant, believed to be 20 to 30 years old, was caught after her latest exploit at Kampung Nadak Seberang last Thursday. For the past year she has led the raids of about 20 elephants on oil palm holdings and orchards here and in Panching, destroying crops and trees.
2007-01-27 - ROYAL OAK, United States.
Katherine Perlman believes the Detroit Zoo needs elephants and on Saturday she did her part to bring back pachyderms by drawing and painting a picture of an elephant on a ceramic tile. "I was very upset when the elephants left," the 9-year-old West Bloomfield youth said, referring to the elephants that left the zoo for a bigger home at a California sanctuary in 2004. "I like elephants. They are big."
2007-01-26 - Chester, United Kingdom.
A vacancy has arisen to join the Elephant Team in Chester Zoo developing our Elephant care programme and manage our growing herd. Ideally candidates will have proven experience of working with a mixed herd in both free and protected contact. Keepers with substantial experience with other animals who are looking to move into elephant conservation may be considered This is not a post for a trainee. Candidates must already have or be prepared to obtain the ANC Management of Zoo Animals or an equiva...
2007-01-26 - Dallas, United States. DAVID SCHECHTER / WFAA-TV
The elephant barn at the Dallas Zoo was built almost 50 years ago, and it is not quite big enough to meet recently upgraded guidelines. Is it time to close the elephant exhibit? The Dallas Zoo may find out if it follows a national trend. New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and San Francisco have already eliminated their pachyderm programs. The main reason is because elephants are expensive. It can cost about $65,000 a year to care for them, and they need a lot of space to roam. "I think the...
2007-01-26 - St. Louis, United States. EAZA
Daily elephant care including but not limited to feeding, stall cleaning, foot and skin care and training of 1.1 African Elephants within a protected Contact Management System. Performs daily educational demonstrations. Position opening: Seasonal; starts as early as April 1st – position terminates 10/31/2007
2007-01-25 - HOHENWALD, United States. Kate Elliott, The Elephant Sanctuary,
One year ago, eight elephant veterans of the circus, Minnie, Lottie, Queenie, Debbie, Ronnie, Frieda, Billie and Liz were chained in a dark windowless barn. They had been that way for nearly two years. Today they spend their days roaming over 200 acres in middle Tennessee at The Elephant Sanctuary, enjoying the best life a captive elephant can have.
2007-01-25 - Nashville, United States.
The Nashville Zoo is accepting applications for the position of elephant keeper. The responsibilities of this position include all aspects involved in the daily care and management of 0.3 African elephants and their facilities in a free contact system. The Nashville Zoo elephant department encourages and supports all its members to initiate or participate in projects involving research, education, training, conservation and general elephant management.
2007-01-25 - Vallejo, United States.
Responsible for the feeding, cleaning and maintenance of Elephant Encounter area and for entry level training of elephants and behaviors. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Feed, brush and bathe animals as directed by Supervisor or Asst. Supervisor. Give commands to ask elephant to lay down, move. If needed, brush elephant from atop their back and head. Perform night feeds as assigned.
2007-01-25 - Yala, Sri Lanka. THARUKA DISSANAIKE
Sri Lankas only known crossed-tusk elephant in the wild, known locally as Dalaputtuwa dies of paralysis caused by gunshot wounds in the periphery of a highly protected national park. The tusker, a rare sight in Sri Lankan jungles, was shot by 35-year old Punchi Banda Samarathunge as he stood guard over his war zone-bordering village on the outskirts of the National Park with a T-56 rifle.
2007-01-24 - Lampang, Thailand. Musings
But the best part about this leg of the trip was the elephants! We chose the hotel we did because they work in conjunction with the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, and have a dozen elephants on their grounds. Frederick and I took a one-day "Mahout Training Course" where we were each given an elephant and taught some basic commands. We learned a couple of different ways to get on and off the critters, got to ride the elephants around the camp, and at the end of the day, we (along with the maho...
2007-01-24 - BANGALORE, India.
Even after the death of brigand Veerappan, a few members of his erstwhile gang are still operating in M.M. Hills and surrounding jungles in Kollegal taluk of Chamarajnagar district. In the last one month, at least three male elephants were shot dead in Ponnachi Reserve Forest area in M.M. Hills. Alarmed by the death of the elephants, the staff of CID Forest Cell and Forest Department camped in M.M. Hills for over a fortnight and arrested seven people belonging to two gangs on charges of killing ...
2007-01-24 - Mananthavady, India.
Four people were sentenced to three years Rigorous Imprisonment and fines of Rs. 10,000 each for poaching an elephant in Kerala. Five others were given three years Simple Imprisonment and fined Rs. 10,000 each, while one person was given the benefit of doubt and let off.
2007-01-24 - San Andreas, United States. Mike Taylor
Good Samaritans have popped out of the woodwork to help people at the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in San Andreas provide sweet treats for jumbo-sized retirees. African and Asian elephants that roam fortified compounds at Ark 2000 are thumping their trunks as volunteers have donated mulberry branches to the facility. The tree limbs are a popular and healthy snack for the animals.
2007-01-24 - Santa Barbara, United States. Sheyla Molho
Thanks to their love for film, four Santa Barbara 17-year-olds—Freddie Weston Smith, Freddy Meyer, Bradley Lonson, and Spencer Spottiswoode—and one 18-year-old university student from Pasadena named Toby Eversole went to South Africa along with the Disney Studios vet team. Once there, they helped tackle the overpopulation of elephants problem in Africa in a somewhat controversial manner: they captured the first vasectomy ever performed on a male elephant!
2007-01-24 - Orlando, United States. EAZA
2007-01-24 - Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Matthew Williams, The Birmingham News
Nikolai Illie, an animal handler, waits with an elephant at the train yard Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007, before the walk through downtown Birmingham, Alabama, to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center arena. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus will perform its show through Saturday.
2007-01-23 - HANOI, Vietnam.
Two young men drove motorbikes to the Lac Lake tourism area from Lam Dong Province on the morning of January 23. The guides there showed them how to ride elephants and instructed them on how to behave around the elephants. However, forgetting the instructions, one of the tourists, Tri, 22, ran toward an elephant after he had finished taking a picture and handed the camera to his friend who was sitting on the back of the elephant. At that moment, the elephant threw Tri to the ground and trampled ...
2007-01-23 - Houston, United States.
Mac is certainly a happy, noisy little elephant. But the one thing you don’t hear much from Mac are his footfalls. Did you know that elephants are actually very, very quiet walkers? Because of the way their feet are shaped (with a spongy “shock absorber†sole), and the fact that elephants essentially walk on their tiptoes (Asian elephants have five “hidden†toes on their front feet, four on the back), these huge animals can actually move quite silently.
2007-01-23 - Karimganj, India. SANTANU GHOSH
Alarmed by the death a 50-year-old woman in another raid by a herd of wild elephants on Friday night, the district administration has asked villagers to avoid the stretch between Sunagiri and Medli tea estate under Patherkandi block after dusk. The rampaging herd uses the corridor near Piplagool village to stray into tea gardens and human habitation in search of food, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
2007-01-23 - Florida, United States. Kellogg ME, Burkett S, Dennis TR, Stone G, Gray BA, McGuire PM, Zori RT, Stanyon R.
Sirenia (manatees, dugongs and Stellars sea cow) have no evolutionary relationship with other marine mammals, despite similarities in adaptations and body shape. Recent phylogenomic results place Sirenia in Afrotheria and with elephants and rock hyraxes in Paenungulata. Sirenia and Hyracoidea are the two afrotherian orders as yet unstudied by comparative molecular cytogenetics. Here we report on the chromosome painting of the Florida manatee.
2007-01-23 - Miami, United States. EAZA
Entry level elephant keeper position available working with 1.1 Asian and 1.2 African elephants in a protected contact system. 1 year of paid elephant experience required. Prefer experience with operant conditioning and environmental enrichment.
2007-01-23 - Trissur, India.
Around 20 elephant experts from South and Southeast Asia would be given a two-week training on elephant management here in September. The free training programme, the first of its kind in India, is being organised by the Bangalore-based Asian Elephant Research and Conservation Centre. "There will be around 20 experts from countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand besides India," Jacob Cheeran, a veteran elephant expert, told IANS.
2007-01-22 - Chiang Mai, Thailand. Stephhef
An elephant was walking through the round about directly in front of me. Now I have seen elephants before, but one in the city, walking down a road a block from my “home” was quite a new experience. The two men were trying to get people to give the young elephant food. (I say young but the elephant still toward over me as well as everyone else in the area.) I did feel rather sorry for the animal, but realize that elephants are work animals here in Thailand, much like a mule, or a horse. I wa...
2007-01-22 - Monte Carlo, France.
The proclamation of winners took place last night. The only Golden Clown was awarded to a family of horse and animal acts: the Casartelli, of Circo Medrano. The award Gala Show and cermony will take place on Tuesday Evening. Golden awrd was won by Casartelli Family (taly) for the ensemble of their 4 presentations :Aladin » pantomime (elephants and exotics, including 2 giraffes and a rhino), equestrian « pas de deux »,Gipsy Fantasy » equestrian tableau
2007-01-21 - San Diego, United States. CONNIE LEWIS
A state Assemblyman who is crafting a bill that would dictate how much space is needed for elephant enclosures at zoos across California, says the Wild Animal Park is on the right track, but the San Diego Zoo isn’t. At least not at present. Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, said he is still working on the details. But a bill he plans to propose likely would call for zoos, circuses and other organizations to keep no more than three elephants in 5-acre enclosures. For each additional elephant, the space...
2007-01-21 - Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.
Continuing illegallogging in South Bukit Barisan National Park in Lampung andBengkulu provinces has threatened habitats of rare animals likerhinos, tigers, and elephants. "If there is no concrete action to stop such illegalpractices, tigers, rhinos, and elephants in the park will comeinto extinction," said official of World Wildlife Fund for Nature(WWF) Indonesia di Lampung Nurcholis Fadhli Sunday.
2007-01-21 - Vitshumbi, Congo. Congo Rangers
Approximately 25 hippos and 3 elephants have been killed at Vitshumbi in the last few days. This is an area where we had estimated around 30 hippos to exist following our last aerial census of the park. The prognosis does not look good and by now it may well be too late to save the last few individuals. ICCN rangers are being prevented to carry out their legal mandate to patrol in the area and protect the wildlife due to the presence of these armed groups, and in the absence of respect for a rec...
2007-01-20 - TIRUVANNAMALAI, India.
Eight elephants, including two calves, noticed in the forests near Padavedu in the district over the last week, have damaged crops and caused flutter in the nearby villages. According to sources, elephants from the forests in Andhra Pradesh, which occasionally visit the forests in the Jawadu Hills and its adjoining areas, are now roaming in the Malayalam reserve forest area. Recently, the farmers in Shenbagathoppu, Ramanathapuram and Perumalpettai areas were complaining about these elephants cau...
2007-01-20 - Blackpool, United Kingdom.
FOUR elephants, a band of gorillas, one lion and a giant tortoise were all put up for sale today. Blackpool Zoo is on the market - less than four years after the council handed it over to a private operator. Grant Leisure, who took over the running of the East Park Drive attraction in April 2003, has told the council that it is proposing to sell its lease for the zoo, along with two other attractions it owns, in order to focus on its core marketing services business.
2007-01-20 - Front Royal, United States. Brown JL, Somerville M, Riddle HS, Keele M, Duer CK, Freeman EW. Department of Reproductive Sciences, Smithsonian Institution
Concentrations of serum testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine (free and total T4), triiodothyronine (free and total T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured to assess adrenal and thyroid function as they relate to testicular activity and musth in captive elephants. In summary, a number of bulls did not exhibit musth despite being of adequate physical maturity.
2007-01-19 - Baraboo, United States. Scott De Laruelle
Circus World Museum lost its largest performer Tuesday morning when Moxie, a 25-year-old African elephant, passed away from a mysterious illness that quickly took his life, said trainer Doug Terranova. While Moxie was a performer to many, to Terranova he was an important member of his family. Terranova got him in 1997 and has worked with him every day since.
2007-01-19 - Jakarta, Indonesia. ANTARA News
The Sumatran elephant (elephas maximus sumatrensis, sp) in Minas conservation area in Siak district, Riau province, gave birth to a female offspring last week, an official of Sinarmas Forestry conservation division said. "Malina (29)`s baby elephant born on January 9 is like a special New Year present. With the birth of the baby elephant named Bubu, number of the endangered animals in Minas area increased to 9. Bubu was conceived for 22 months.
2007-01-19 - Jinan, China.
"Altogether, seven endangered animals now have difficulties in finding a mate, and most of them are male," zoo manager Wu Kongju said. They include rhinoceros, black ape, musk deer, elephant, golden monkey and zebra. "If an elephant wants to go on a journey to mate, it is impossible to find a cage and truck big enough to transport it," Wu said as an example. Liya was brought from Beijing Zoo to mate with Yakun in May 2006. The two finally fell in love in September. According to Wu, the major rea...
2007-01-18 - Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
Place: African Lion Safari. Instructors: Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt, Dr. Frank Goeritz, Dr. Robert Hermes, Dr. Peter Rich, Charlie Gray. Main topics of the workshop are the application of different Ultrasound Technologies (2D, 3D, Color-flow-Doppler etc), the methods of semen collection, and artificial insemination techniques.
2007-01-18 - Yunnan, China.
A herd of seven wild elephants are seen at the Wild Elephant Ravine in a forest park in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province January 17, 2006. Wild elephants are seen at the Wild Elephant Ravine in a forest park in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province January 17, 2006.
2007-01-18 - Williston, United States. JAY LEVIN
At the time of his death Jan. 7, Harry Locker, 52, was operations manager of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's 20-acre farm for retired circus elephants in Williston, Fla. He joined Ringling in 1997 as an elephant handler. Harry Locker's death was sudden, and his family is awaiting the autopsy results. A graveside service was held Jan. 10 in Florida. The tombstone will have an etching of an elephant, his father said.
2007-01-18 - VALLEJO, United States. Patricia Yollin
A camel named Jake wore a bush hat with the company logo. Five elephants formed a reception committee. A sea lion called Odie reclined in a golf cart. The scene in Vallejo on Wednesday morning looked like a cross between Noah's Ark and "Jurassic Park." It wasn't. Instead, the occasion was a rebranding ritual: Marine World is now Discovery Kingdom. The name change is part of a $16 million renovation of the theme park that started out in Redwood City in 1968 and is now part of the shrinking Six Fl...
2007-01-18 - GIBSONTON, United States. Mitch Traphagen
This weekend, 13-year-old Felicia Frisco will introduce you to Dumbo and Gina, two elephants with whom she has literally grown up. The elephants are at home at the winter home of Terry Frisco. Frisco and his family travel, along with their elephants and tigers, several months out of the year working at circuses and performing educational shows around the country. This weekend, the elephants along with Frisco’s teenage daughter will perform in Gibsonton.
2007-01-17 - Coimbatore, India.
It was a different experience for elephants at the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Pollachi as an unusual ritual was organised for them as part of the Pongal festival. As farmers across the state celebrated Mattu Pongal yesterday when poojas were performed for the cattle, Yanai (elephant) Pongal was organised at the sanctuary with the pachyderms being dressed up and adored.
2007-01-17 - Koraput, India. KalingaTimes
Two children of a family were trampled to death by wild elephants in Kusumbhatta village of Orissa's Koraput district on Monday night sending shockwaves among the people in the region. Eight-year-old Kaushalya Santa and her brother Gupta Santa (7) died when elephants crushed near their house. This is the second such incident in Kusumbhatta. A woman of the village was killed by wild elephants in a similar fashion on January 5.
2007-01-17 - JAKARTA, Indonesia.
Coffee beans exported to the West are being illegally grown inside an Indonesian national park, threatening the habitat of endangered tigers, elephants and rhinos, the WWF said Wednesday. "If this trend of clearing park land for coffee isn‘t halted, the rhinos and tigers will be locally extinct in less than a decade," Nazir Foead, WWF-Indonesia‘s Director of Policy and Corporate Engagement, said in a statement.
2007-01-17 - Chiang Mai, Thailand. Antoinette van de Water
For years the Elephant Nature Park has been searching for possibilities to expand the Park. Bring the Elephant HOME so far has been able only to buy a number of separate parcels of land close to the park to grow food for the elephants. To buy land adjacent to the current park to really expand it seemed impossible at a reasonable price. But now there’s a possibility!
2007-01-16 - MADIKERI, India.
Though Kodagu district has been bearing the brunt of wild elephant menace from Kutta to Shanivarashanthe, the government is paying scant attention to solve the problem. Recently, wild elephants destroyed five acres of paddy cultivation belonging to two people in Mekoor near Polibetta. Elephants descending from the forest have killed more than 20 and injured 30 people since 1999.
2007-01-16 - BOBONONG, Botswana.
The departments of Wildlife and National Parks and Agricultural Research have resorted to the use of chilli pepper to prevent elephants from eating crops. A Senior Wildlife Ranger, Mr Israel Nato, told BOPA that the trials were already in place in the Okavango area while in Bobirwa the chilli that they have is only for demonstration purpose.
2007-01-16 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. ColomboPage News Desk
Sixty-four wild elephants and twenty people died in Sri Lanka's North Western Wild Life Zone in 2006 as a result of human-elephant conflict, according to figures from the Department of Wild Life Conservation. Six of the 64 dead wild elephants were tuskers, the Department said. Hunting for tusks, shooting to avoid crop damage, railway accidents and poisoning were the major causes for the elephant deaths.
2007-01-16 - Houston, United States. EAZA
The Houston Zoo Inc. is seeking an enthusiastic professional to join our Elephant Team. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an evolving and maturing elephant program. With a new exhibit and barn construction right around the corner, a new born calf, and continued elephant breeding, the Houston zoo elephant program is well on its way to becoming a state of the art program and facility. This is a full time, year-round position and includes responsibility for the care, husbandry, and tr...
2007-01-15 - MYSORE, India.
In a joint operation, police and forest officials have arrested four persons, in connection with two elephant poaching cases on Male Mahadeshwara Hills recently. They have recovered a single barrel gun, four bullets and 200 gm of gun powder. The arrested are Santhre Madaiah, Belulli Madaiah and Kumara, residents of Ramagondanahalli and Karana Belligondana Halli, near Poonachi village on Mahadeshwara Hills.
2007-01-15 - Sunsari, Nepal.
Tetaru Chaudhari, 58, of Baklauri VDC in Sunsari district was trampled to death by a wild elephant on Sunday morning, said the Pakali area police office. The elephant attacked Chaudhari while he was washing his face at a nearby river along with his friends. The elephant attacked them and all but Chaudhari managed to run away, police said.
2007-01-15 - Thrissur, India.
The elephant museum coming up at Konni in Pathanamthitta district has been designed as an entertainment-cum-information facility featuring pictures, clippings, books and information about Indian elephants and their use in Kerala's cultural context, Forest Range Officer of the district Jayakumar Sharma said.
2007-01-15 - Jaipur, India.
Enthused by the good response from online booking of wildlife safari in Ranthambore national park, the Rajasthan government plans to have a similar facility for elephant rides at the famous Amber Fort here. The tourism department is preparing a record of all the 110 elephants to be used for riding. The database involves the name of elephants, mahouts and their rotation number.
2007-01-13 - Fort Wayne, United States. Kevin Leininger
A famous Fort Wayne native is coming home after nine years. Or maybe that should be 13,000 years. What’s left of Fred the Mastodon, who died in western Allen County millennia ago and was rediscovered while digging for peat moss in 1998, will take up permanent residence at Science Central sometime this spring. The museum is even offering the public a chance to sponsor one of his 275 bones – or a reasonable facsimile thereof. A rib is just $50, but a 9-foot tusk will fetch $2,000 and the massi...
2007-01-12 - Chachoengsao, Thailand. MANIT SNUBBOON
The chief of Khao Ang Rue Nai wants the road through the wildlife sanctuary closed at night after a herd of elephants held up and looted a string of cargo trucks. About midnight last Saturday a herd of 20 elephants blocked route No.3259 (the Ban Nong Kog-Ban Wang Nam Phon road) holding up 10 trucks, Yoo Senatham said.
2007-01-12 - Jamshedpur, India. ANUPAM RANA
The district forest wing seems to have taken up the task to improve the conditions at the Dalma elephant sanctuary. For, the wing has recommended to the state forest and environment ministry to invite wildlife experts to give suggestions to improve the issues, concerning elephant corridors, pollution and habitant.
2007-01-12 - West Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Deborah Robinson
Jeff Long's story about Nicholas and Gypsy ("Giving away an elephant is as tough as it seems," Page 1, Jan. 5), elephants left with the Hawthorn Corp. for nearly a year now after their companions were confiscated, is emblematic of the problems of captive elephants in this country. Coming at a time when the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is ferociously defending its position that elephants belong in zoos and that they should be bred as much as possible, the zoos of this country are unwilling t...
2007-01-12 - El Paso, United States. Elizabeth O'Hara/KFOX News at Nine Anchor
The El Paso Zoo's new director, Steve Marshall, is just three days on the job but already he has an idea of what the year will bring. "You gotta start somewhere, and I think the situation is going to clear itself up," Marshall said Friday.
2007-01-12 - Udhagamandalam, India.
The popular elephant ride for tourists was resumed today after a two-and-half-year gap at the famous Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, near here. Nilgiris district collector Santhosh K. Mishra inaugurated the elephant ride early this morning at Theppakkadu camp in the vicinity of the sanctuary. A British couple, who had the honour of taking the inaugural ride today, said they were very happy with the sojourn.
2007-01-11 - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Oil palm smallholders in the Kinabatangan and Segama areas have been advised not to shoot at elephants encroaching into their land to seek shelter, following the destruction of their habitat by floods. Sabah's Honorary Wildlife Warden, Datuk Wilfred Lingham, said the smallholders should contact the nearest wildlife officers as they know best how to prevent the elephants from causing further damage to their crops.
2007-01-11 - Colombo, Sri Lanka. ColomboPage News Desk
Sri Lanka will present an elephant calf to China next month to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Cabinet spokesperson Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said, “As a token of remembrance, an elephant-calf, ‘Migara’, would be presented to the people of China.”
2007-01-11 - Nghe An, Vietnam. Ngọc Binh- Hoang Sang, VietNamNet Bridge
A huge elephant skeleton estimated to date back thousands of years has just been discovered in Khe Dinh River by a local farmer, Pham Van Dong, in Hamlet 4, Hong Son village, Do Luong district, Nghe An Province. Dong said that on December 14, 2006 while going to his rice paddy at around 1 o’clock, he saw what he thought was an upright iron wood log sticking out of the river. Finding it unusual, he dug around the place, and to his amazement, amongst layers of mud were more huge animal bones.
2007-01-11 - Cushing, United States.
A fisherman who thought he hauled up an ancient wooly mammoth tusk on Georges Bank has received new information. An expert who examined the tusk at the Maine State Museum tells a Portland TV station that he believes it came from a mastodon, a slightly smaller creature. Tim Winchenbach of Cushing, Maine found the tusk while scallop fishing several weeks ago on the New Bedford-based dragger Celtic.
2007-01-10 - KOLKATA, India. Bappa Majumdar
When a herd of wild elephants rampaged through a school kitchen in India's West Bengal state, gobbling up rice and lentils, seven-year-old Suman Bera and classmates were left without lunch and lessons. The animals left a trail of destruction in their search for food, forcing officials to cancel classes.
2007-01-10 - WASHINGTON, United States. Steve Feldman of Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Comments filed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveal new data that demonstrates elephants in accredited zoos are in very good health. "Anti-zoo extremists should call off their orchestrated attacks against zoos. The facts are indisputable, elephants in accredited zoos are thriving," said AZA Executive Director Kristin Vehrs.
2007-01-10 - Nairobi, Kenya. Wittemyer G, Ganswindt A, Hodges K. Save the Elephants
This study investigates the relationship between Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), an ecosystem surrogate measure of primary productivity, and fecal progestin concentrations among wild female elephants. Matched fecal samples and behavioral data on reproductive activity were collected from 37 focal individuals during the two-year study.
2007-01-09 - New York, United States. BRENDAN BERNHARD
Last comes the relationship between a black man, Solomon James, and an Asian elephant, Shirley, in a Louisiana zoo. Shirley, 52, hasn't seen a member of her tribe in a quarter century, as the zoo can't accommodate a second elephant. But now she's being moved to a wildlife preserve where she'll rejoin an elephant she knew in her youth: They were in a circus together.
2007-01-09 - Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has launched a massive security operation in its key nature reserves after poachers killed 17 elephants and two rare black rhinos during the holiday season, said state radio on Tuesday. The country's security forces and extra rangers have teamed up in a joint operation dubbed Operation Stronghold in the wildlife-rich northern Zambezi Valley and in the Hwange and Chizarira national parks, said the report.
2007-01-08 - Dzanga Bai, Central African Republic.
Wildlife Conservation Society biologist Andrea Turkalo doesn't just study elephants—sometimes she lives with them too. Turkalo has spent the past 15 years researching the forest elephants of Dzanga Bai, a large clearing in the Central African Republic. Join Turkalo in the field as she works to unravel the mysteries of the elusive forest elephants, and learn what keeps the "elephant woman" coming back for more.
2007-01-07 - Andaman Islands, India. BEN CLERKIN, Sunday Herald Sun
ON land, he lumbers through the dust, bowed by the burden of his 3.5-tonne bulk. But in the ocean Rajan is an elephant transformed: the cumbersome trundler becomes a creature of speed and elegance. The pictures were shot by wildlife photographer Steve Bloom in the Andaman Islands and appear in his new book, Elephant!
2007-01-07 - Calcutta, India. Karimganj
It is an odd dilemma for forest officials of the district — torn as they are between the need to save human life and crops from marauding elephants and risking a decline in pachyderm population, as herds of them flee into neighbouring Bangladesh when chased away from the border district. The dilemma only deepens every winter.
2007-01-07 - Beerwah, Australia.
Elephantasia is Australia Zoo’s newest exhibit, and it’s finally open. We are so excited! Not only is Elephantasia a luxurious, enriching and comfortable environment for our three elephant girls – Siam, Sabu and Bimbo – to spend their days in, it’s also an absolutely incredible and beautiful work of art that our guests really enjoy. You can even hand-feed our gorgeous girls twice daily for FREE, right here at Elephantasia!
2007-01-06 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. topi lyambila
Last week we carried a report from the National Council of SPCAs saying wild elephants in Zimbabwe are being captured and exploited for commercial purposes. Shearwater Adventures have denied the allegations and here appended is their response;
2007-01-06 - Cape Cod, United States.
Tim Winchenbach came home after 17 days aboard a New Bedford-based scallop boat with more than salt-crusted hair and fish tales for his wife and young daughters. "I told them I had a present. Then I said it was a woolly mammoth tusk," Winchenbach, 31 , said in a telephone interview yesterday from his home in Cushing, Maine. "My wife was like, 'Yeah, right.' "
2007-01-06 - Yerevan, Armenia. Rhyne
Hrantik is the only elephant in Yerevan's Zoo; his "real" name is Elbrus. Hrantik came to Armenia from Moscow Zoo in 1999 - his parents still live there - in the form of a gift. Being twelve, he has started noticing a need for something very special: a female elephant!
2007-01-06 - Guwahati, India.
Elephants participate in an elephant festival at the Kaziranga National Park, about 235 km (146 miles) east from Guwahati, the main city of India's north-east state of Assam, January 5, 2007. The festival is organised every year in January and February to create awareness among the people about the habits of the animal so that they can live together in peace.
2007-01-05 - Pahang, Malaysia. Joycey
Even as I'm writing this, my heart is bleeding for baby elephant, Mardos, which was put down one day after Christmas last year. Finally, Mardos can find mercy in death which has been eluding him all his life among uncaring humans. His story is so sad. He fell into a well and his mother presumably cried until she had no more tears, being helpless to get her baby out of the well. Imagine having to walk away from that well, it must have been the hardest thing she ever had to do.
2007-01-05 - Chicago, United States. Jeff Long
A year after mistreatment allegations prompted a great elephant exodus from McHenry County, two of the pachyderms, Nicholas and Gypsy, remain at a controversial circus training farm without good prospects for a new home. They were left behind when eight other Asian elephants were moved last January and February from a farm near Richmond to an elephant sanctuary in the rolling hills of Tennessee. It was a 650-mile journey that began after federal investigators accused Hawthorn Corp., the farm's o...
2007-01-05 - Dergaon, India.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the fifth Kaziranga Elephant Festival today. At the function, a pledge was taken to protect Kaziranga National Park’s ecosystem. During his speech at the inaugural function at Mihimukh at Kohora, Gogoi also observed that human-elephant conflicts can be reduced through public awareness. Gogoi said festivals like these, which entail massive participation of people, can go a long way in reducing the human-elephant conflict.
2007-01-05 - New Delhi, India.
Members of Parliament from Assam have sought the relaxation of Wildlife (Protection) Act, urging Delhi to allow elephant capture. The appeal was issued to-day in a memorandum from 20 MPs of the Northeast to minister of state for environment and forests Namo N. Meena. The memo urged the ministry to “specifically” allow Assam to capture wild elephants for domesticating th-em. The Indian elephant has been listed in Schedule I (the most protected species) since 1977
2007-01-04 - Salt Lake City, United States.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo's animal management is announcing the immediate opening of a full time animal care position in our Elephant Encounter area. The Zoo is seeking qualified applicants for this keeper position. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a newly renovated facility. This is a full time, year-round position and includes responsibility for the care and husbandry of the resident African elephants and white rhinos, as well as other animals as assigned.
2007-01-03 - Dresden, Germany. Ted Chamberlain
Holiday leftovers aren't just for humans. "Elephants around the country will enjoy a delicious lunch today consisting of about five Christmas trees each," Ragnar Kuehne of Zoo Berlin told the Reuters news service on January 3 (Germany map). Unlike the pie, pudding, and honeyed ham that may be haunting your fridge, though, pine trees' unique oils may actually help some animals' digestion, Kuehne said.
