Facts about Elephants
In the Wild
In the wild, Asian and African elephants are under extreme pressure, living in fragmented populations as their habitat continues to shrink. Classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the current population of African elephants is estimated in the range of 100,000 animals. Over the past 20 years the African elephant population has declined by an estimated 100 elephants a day. Asian elephants, specifically, are highly-endangered with approximately 35,000 remaining in the wild.
In AZA Zoos
Elephants in Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos offer enormous educational experiences for visitors by enabling guests to see these magnificent animals in person. Only the wealthy and privileged are able to travel to their natural environments to see them in the wild. According to a national poll by Harris Interactive in 2005, 95% of U.S. adults agreed that seeing elephants in real life fosters a greater appreciation of these majestic and intelligent animals and encourages people to learn more about them. In this same survey, 86% of respondents agreed that visiting zoos and aquariums encourages people to donate money or time to wildlife conservation.
Elephants living in zoos accredited by the AZA are managed by the AZA's Elephant Taxon Advisory Group, which manages the AZA's Species Survival Plan for Asian and African elephants. These organizations ensure that elephants in AZA institutions receive the best care possible in facilities that provide for all their needs.
A total of 77 AZA-accredited institutions care for a total of 291 elephants distributed almost equally between African and Asian elephants.
African
150 African elephants reside in 48 AZA-accredited institutions including 23 males and 127 females.
Asian
141 Asian elephants reside in 40 AZA-accredited institutions including 27 males and 114 females. There are currently 9 proven breeding females and 7 proven breeding males, in addition to younger elephants that may also prove to be good breeders over time. Over the last few years an average of four calves born annually, a rate insufficient to maintain the current population levels.
At the Houston Zoo
Elephants have lived at the Houston Zoo since 1922 when a fence was erected around a tract of Land in Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo was born. Shortly after the city of Houston hired the first zookeeper, Hans Nagel, the zoo acquired its first elephant, a 32-year-old retired circus performer named Nellie.
Within a matter of months, Houston school children and a local bank raised funds to acquire a companion for Nellie. Nine-year-old Hans, named after zookeeper Nagle, arrived in Houston via train after a sea voyage from New York aboard the steamer "Henry R. Mallory."
Over the last 87 years, the Houston Zoo has been home to 13 elephants. Today the Houston Zoo is home to 5 Asian elephants – two males and three females.
Thailand
The Houston Zoo is one of a small number of AZA-accredited zoos that houses male (bull) Asian elephants. Houston's adult bull, Thailand, also known as Thai, was born in Thailand in 1965 making him 43 years old. He came to the Houston Zoo in 1980 and has sired 12 calves.
Methai
The Houston Zoo's oldest female Asian elephant was born in Thailand in 1969 and is 39 years old. She came to the Houston Zoo in 1981 and has delivered four calves. While Methai has no surviving off spring, she is a proven surrogate mother.
Shanti
The Houston Zoo's youngest adult female Asian elephant is unrelated to either Thai or Methai. Shanti was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1990 and is 18 years old. She has given birth to two calves, although neither is still living.
Tess
Tess and her calf Tucker are the newest additions to the Houston Zoo's elephant herd. Tess, 25 years old, was born in Malaysia and came to the Zoo from Have Trunk Will Travel in California. Tess has delivered 2 calves with one surviving.
Tucker
Born March 12, 2005 at Have Trunk Will Travel's California ranch, Tucker is 3 years old.
The Houston Zoo's Elephant Care Team
The Houston Zoo's elephant program is led by Large Mammal Curator Daryl Hoffman and elephant supervisor Martina Stevens, who supervise a staff of 6 keepers. The staff represents a combined 100 years of elephant care experience which ranks us in the top tier in terms of experience and skill. Additionally, the Houston Zoo has one of the highest keeper-to-elephant ratios of any AZA accredited zoo in the nation.
The zoo has 4 veterinarians and a clinic staff of 12.