Summary of Happy Asian Elephant Awareness Month!:
This content is promoting Asian Elephant Awareness Month in August. It discusses the threats facing Asian elephants in the wild and highlights the Houston Zoo‘s conservation efforts to protect these animals. The content also introduces the 12 Asian elephants in the zoo’s herd, providing information about each elephant’s age, characteristics, and behaviors. The audience is encouraged to visit the zoo this month to show support for Asian elephants and learn more about them.
Summary:
1. Asian Elephant Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the threats facing Asian elephants in the wild.
2. Houston Zoo supports conservation efforts for Asian elephants in Borneo thby partnering with Seratu Aatai.
3. Houston Zoo has a diverse herd of Asian elephants, each with unique characteristics and personalities.
4. Visitors to Houston Zoo can show appreciation for Asian elephants during this special month.
Welcome to the Happy Asian Elephant Awareness Month! This August, we are thrilled to celebrate and raise awareness about the majestic Asian elephants, one of the most endangered species on our planet. This month is dedicated to shedding light on the challenges and threats these incredible creatures face in the wild and highlighting the conservation efforts aimed at their protection.
As part of our commitment to wildlife conservation, Houston Zoo supports the Seratu Aatai organization in Borneo, led by the inspiring Dr. Farina Othman. SSearchAatai, which means “living together,” works tirelessly to reduce conflict between humans and elephants, fostering harmony and coexistence. By providing mentorship, training, and support, we are making a difference in the lives of wild elephants in Borneo. Additionally, we collaborate with other conservation partners in replanting forests, creating essential habitats for Asian elephants and other animals like orangutans.
At Houston Zoo, we are fortunate to have a thriving herd of 12 Asian elephants. They range in age from 2 to 58 years old, representing different stages of life. Each member has unique characteristics and personality, making them a delight to observe and learn about.
Let’s meet some of our incredible elephants!
Thailand, our oldest elephant at the Houston Zoo, is house oldest breeding male Asian elephant in North America. At age 58, he stands tall at about 10 feet and boasts the largest tusks of all our males. Thailand particularly enjoys indulging in watermelons after a refreshing dip in the pool.
Methai, at 5, holds a special place in our herd as the matriarch and the st female. While she is not genetically related to the other elephants, she assumes the role of “grandma” to many little ones. Methai is easily identifiable by the large pink birthmark on her forehead, adding to her unique charm.
Tess, a 40-year-old adult female, is the mother to all the T-named elephants in our herd. This includes Tucker, Tupelo, Tilly, and Teddy. Tess is the smallest of our adult females and is fond of kale and pumpkins. Keep an eye out for her distinctive blonde tail hair.
Shanti is our largest adult female, standing at 32 years old. She is the proud mother of Baylor, Joy, and Nelson. Shanti is known for being a devoted and attentive mother, and she particularly enjoys feasting on browse items such as bamboo, banana leaves, and hackberry.
Tucker, at 18 years old, is Tess’s oldest son. Though he may not be as tall as Thailand, Tucker weighs over 10,000 pounds, making him an impressive presence. He is highly intelligent and a pleasure to train with, although he can sometimes be naughty and mischievous as he collects water in his trunk, a trick he may use to playfully spray passersby.
Baylor, the 13-year-old son of Shanti, is one of our more cautious elephants who takes his time to adjust to new experiences. However, during training sessions, Baylor is incredibly engaged and attentive. He has developed medium-sized tusks and exhibits pink freckling on his face, a sign of aging in Asian elephants.
Tupelo, just 12.5 years old, became a proud first-time mother to Winnie in 2021. She takes after her mother, Tess, and relishes a good mud bath and an afternoon nap. Keep an eye out for Tupelo’s exceptional trunk length, the longest among all the elephants in our herd.
Joy, at the age of 6, is the oldest of our juvenile elephants. Her parents are Shanti and Thailand, and she enjoys climbing on logs and rocks and swimming with her siblings. When her siblings take their afternoon naps in the exhibit, Joy takes on the role of protector, keeping a watchful eye over them.
Tilly, 5 years old, has a vibrant personality that manifests in her frequent vocalizations. She is often heard making chirps, squeaks, roars, and trumpets. Tilly delights in playing and swimming with her siblings and exhibits focused attention during training sessions with her keepers.
NelsAt tender age of 3, is also a spirited young elephant who loves roughhousing with his older sisters and showcasing his toughness. It’s worth noting that despite his age, he has already surpassed his half-sister Tilly in weight. Keep an eye on Nelson as his tusks continue growing of his development.
Winnie, Tupelo’s daughter and Tess and Thailand’s granddaughter, holds a special place in our hearts. She was the first elephant at Houston Zoo conceived through artificial insemination, with her father being an elephant named Bodhi from the Denver Zoo. Winnie shares a deep bond with Methai and can often spend time near her.
Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget Teddy, who is just two months younger than Winnie but has already outgrown her in weight. Teddy is known for his playful nature and hise for using his little tusks during friendly “play fights” with his older siblings.
As we celebrate Asian Elephant Awareness Month this August, we invite you to join us at Houston Zoo to learn more about these incredible animals and show your appreciation for their existence. Visiting the zoo helps support our conservation efforts, ensuring a brighter future for these incredible creatures and their habitats. Together, let’s make a difference and safeguard Asian elephants for generations. So come on down and meet our amazing herd!
