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smuggle

Elephant tusk DNA is used to expose poaching networks

2022-03-22 - Washington, United States.

As genetics reveals how various ivory shipments are connected, the world is learning how organized and extensive the ivory smuggling network really is. A study suggests that poachers credited to three international crime groups likely returned to the same elephant family again and again, then repeatedly used the same shipping company to smuggle the elephant tusks. Testing more than 4,000 elephant tusks from 49 large ivory seizures that were shipped out of Africa between 2002 to 2019 revealed tha...


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research
In this 2016 photo provided by researcher Connie Allen, a young adolescent African elephant stands next to an older bull in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana. (Connie Allen via AP)

Once seen as loners, male elephants shown to follow elders

2020-09-03 - Washington, United States. Christina Larson, The Associated Press Staff

A new study shows that teenage males aren't anti-social after all. Younger male elephants were seen tagging along behind older males as they travel from place to place. It's more evidence in an emerging body of research that shows older males -- like their female counterparts -- play an important role in elephants' complex society.


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pictures
Countess Heine and Heine Bulder, 1907

15 vintage photographs of the old Washington Park Zoo

2020-08-17 - Washington, United States. Bobby Tanzilo

These images, shared with us by the Milwaukee County Zoo, include some really interesting shots, including one of Robert Raasch, first superintendent of West Park, and his family feeding the deer at the park, and of the elephant Countess Heine. She arrived in Milwaukee in 1907 and was named for Henry "Heine" Bulder, a Milwaukee alderman who raised the funds to purchase her and who can be seen seated atop her in one of the images. Another shot shows the Countess with zoo director Ed Bean.


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conservation

Three U.S. zoos team up to save rare Borneo elephants

2016-01-22 - Washington, United States.

Three U.S. zoos announced a new agreement Jan. 21, 2016, with Borneo-based wildlife organizations to protect the endangered Borneo pygmy elephant. The first partnership of its kind, the effort will provide support for solutions to the frequent and sometimes deadly conflicts between people and elephants on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo.


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book

Review of Caitlin O"Connell"s book "Elephant Don"

2015-04-09 - Washington, United States.

Portions of the book are adapted from postings to the New York Times’s Scientist at Work blog that the author wrote while also publishing more technical presentations of her findings in Ethology Ecology & Evolution, American Zoologist and other peer-reviewed journals. When not doing fieldwork in Namibia, O’Connell is an instructor at the Stanford University School of Medicine.


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misc

Ivory Ban Impacts Musicians

2014-05-04 - Washington, United States.

In June, the United States begins strict enforcement of a ban on ivory from the tusks of African and Asian elephants. But the ban is forcing musicians to make a choice, perform without their favorite instruments, or give up work that takes them across the U.S. border.


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circus
Carol, one of three Asian elephants performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, sniffs about during a powerwash bath from handler Brett Carden before showtime at Landers Center in Southaven, Miss. Thursday March 22, 2012.

Ringling Bros. Wins $9.3 Million In Settlement From ASPCA Over Claims Of Elephant Abuse

2014-02-22 - Washington, United States.

A decade-long legal battle is finally coming to a close after the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) agreed to pay the owners of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus $9.3 million for alleging the circus abused their elephants. “Animal activists have been attacking our family, our company, and our employees for decades because they oppose animals in circuses,” Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive officer of Feld Entertainment, said in a stateme...


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trade
The UN Security Council votes to target illicit wildlife trade in a resolution on the Central African Republic.

UN Security Council targets poaching and wildlife trade with DRC sanctions

2014-01-30 - Washington, United States.

The United Nations Security Council took a critical step today in tackling elephant poaching and illicit ivory trade by addressing the link between instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and wildlife trafficking. In renewing the DRC sanctions regime, the resolution targets individuals and entities illegally supporting armed groups through the illicit trade of natural resources, including wildlife and wildlife products, such as elephant ivory.


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poaching
Ivory tusks are displayed by the Hong Kong Customs in Hong Kong on October 3, 2013

US posts $1 mln reward targeting Laos poaching ring

2013-11-14 - Washington, United States.

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday offered a $1 million reward to help smash a Laos-based poaching network slaughtering endangered elephants and rhinos for their precious horns and tusks. The reward, the first of its kind by the State Department, targeted the Xaysavang network which operates from Laos as far afield as South Africa, Mozambique, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China.


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smuggle
Ivory tusks and carvings are displayed at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation office in Albany, N.Y, December 2012.

US to Destroy 6 Tons of Illegal Ivory

2013-09-10 - Washington, United States.

U.S. wildlife authorities say they will destroy six metric tons of illegal elephant ivory seized by customs agents. Whole tusks, carvings and other ivory material held in storage in the western state of Colorado will be crushed next month.


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relocation

U.S. National Zoo Getting 3 New Elephants From Canada

2013-08-21 - Washington, United States.

A $2 million gift from businessman David Rubenstein will allow the Smithsonian´s National Zoo to nearly double the size of its Asian elephant herd. The zoo announced Tuesday that it will receive three female elephants in an open-ended loan from the Calgary Zoo in Canada, which is relocating its elephants to more suitable habitats. The move will be funded entirely by Rubenstein, a co-founder of the Washington-based private equity firm The Carlyle Group. In 2011, Rubenstein gave $4.5 millio...


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welfare

Sign the petition because a world without PETA is a free world, where democrazy and laws once again specify what is animal abuse or not, and where classical animal welfare is once again an issue, not "animal rights".

2013-07-23 - Washington, United States.

What people really don´t know about PETA is that if they got their way, not only would they ban meat, milk, eggs, honey, leather, or fur. There would also be no more silk, wool, down feathers, fishing, circuses that use any kind of animals even domesticated, horse back riding, live animal shows, aquariums, zoos *even if they´re AZA approved*, hunting, service animals for disabled people, even pets.


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relocation

Lonely elephant to join herd at National Zoo in DC

2013-05-03 - Washington, United States.

The zoo announced Friday that Bozie, a 37-year-old Asian elephant, will join three others in Washington. In March, a 46-year-old elephant named Judy died at the Baton Rouge Zoo, leaving Bozie alone. Bozie is considered beyond her reproductive years. Once she arrives, she will be quarantined for 30 days.


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research

The Brains of the Animal Kingdom: Primatologist Frans de Waal on memory-champ chimps, tool-using elephants and rats capable of empathy.

2013-03-24 - Washington, United States.

Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but also to sniff and touch it. With their unparalleled sense of smell, the animals know exactly what they are going for. Vision is secondary. But as soon as an elephant picks up a stick, its nasal passages are blocked. Even when the stick is close to the food, it impedes feeling and smelling. It is like sending a blindfolded child on an Easter egg hunt. What sort of experiment, then, would do justice to the animal´s special anatomy and abi...


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facility

National Zoo opening elephant center after $56M overhaul

2013-03-23 - Washington, United States.

A 1930s-era elephant house built with individual stalls that drew a rebuke in 2006 from an animal rights group has been transformed into a wide-open new elephant community center with a soft sand floor and wading pool at the Smithsonian´s National Zoo. On Saturday, the zoo will open its new "Elephant Trails" area to the public, following a $56 million overhaul completed over the last seven years. It´s a major expansion, more than tripling the living and socializing space for the zoo&...


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people

Animal Rights: The History and Nature of the Beast

2013-03-07 - Washington, United States. Patti Strand

Animal rights tactics are specifically designed to give the animal rightists the opportunity and freedom to express lies, while preventing others from speaking the truth. They are designed to intimidate non-believers into fear-based tolerance of the cult of animal rights, thereby enabling the movement to amass ever-greater political and financial clout.


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evolution

No, we won’t be able to clone a woolly mammoth in the next five years

2011-12-07 - Washington, United States. Alasdair Wilkins

No, we won´t be able to clone a woolly mammoth in the next five yearsA team of Russian and Japanese scientists recently announced that they have discovered pristine DNA samples of woolly mammoths, and they will clone a living mammoth within five years. It´s tremendously exciting...but almost certainly not going to happen. Here´s why.


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welfare

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

2011-12-02 - Washington, United States.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals provides aid and comfort for the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF). The two groups are responsible for more than 600 crimes since 1996, causing (by a very conservative FBI estimate) more than $43 million in damage. ALF’s “press office” brags that in 2002, the two groups committed “100 illegal direct actions” -- like blowing up SUVs, destroying the brakes on seafood delivery trucks, and planting firebombs in re...


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misc

13,800-year-old mastodon kill site in Washington: New window on lives of first Americans

2011-10-20 - Washington, United States.

Other scientists scoffed when Carl Gustafson claimed that Stone Age people were hunting mastodons 14,000 years ago in the Northwest, a millennium before the appearance of the Clovis-style stone tools widely regarded as the signature of the first Americans. Gustafson found mastodon remains including a rib with a foreign piece of bone embedded in it near Sequim, Wash., in 1977. He concluded it was a weapon carved from bone or antler and hurled at the tip of a spear.


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people

Leonardo DiCaprio Speaks for Elephants

2011-10-10 - Washington, United States.

The 36-year-old actor announced yesterday that he´s leading a new initiative, Elephants, Never Forget, to focus on the crisis that elephants face. "The ivory trade fuels conflict and strife," DiCaprio said. "Elephants are killed by poachers so their tusks can be traded for weapons and drugs by international criminal organizations before becoming trinkets and jewelry for consumers. Authorities in 85 countries have seized almost 400 tons of ivory on the black market since the 1989 ivory trad...


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smuggle

CEO sentenced for smuggling elephant ivory into US

2011-03-16 - Washington, United States.

A judge sentenced Pascal Vieillard, CEO of A-440 Pianos Inc., to 3 years probation for illegally smuggling elephant ivory into the US, while the Georgia-based company has been fined $17,500. Vieillard had earlier pleaded guilty to importing pianos with ivory parts.


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poaching

Explorers look to save elephants, end ivory trade

2011-03-14 - Washington, United States.

Two American explorers are heading to Africa today to begin an important expedition that could prove vital to the fight against the illegal ivory trade. Their five week long journey, dubbed the Elephant Ivory Project, may help to save herds of those creatures, which have come increasingly under attack from poachers in recent years.


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misc

Chasing The Largest Elephant in Angola, 1954

2011-02-08 - Washington, United States.

Almost half a century back, in 1954, in the remotes and dense jungles of Angola, Jose (Joseph) Fenykovi first saw the track of largest animal ever recorded in human history. It was an unbelievably big elephant track by the muddy shore of a lake. Joseph Fenykovi, Hungarian-born resident of Spain, was an engineer and big game hunter. Every Year, Fenykovi and his wife would abandon Europe and take off for their 1,000-acre ranch in Angola to start their big-game sport spanning for three months.


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evolution
Forest elephants in Africa have now been confirmed as a new species of elephant and have been distinguished from the larger savanna elephant in Africa.

"African elephant" actually two separate species

2010-12-22 - Washington, United States.

Everyone is taught that there are two species of elephants — the African and the Asian — but new research is suggesting this isn´t the whole truth. The "African elephant" is actually two species, as evolutionarily different as lions and tigers are from one another.


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evolution
The largest land mam mals ever, Indri cotherium (shown in pale blue) and Deino the rium, early re la tives of ele phants (dark blue), would have dwarfed to day

Dinos out of way, mammals ballooned to record sizes

2010-11-27 - Washington, United States.

The di no saurs’ de mise 65 mil lion years ago paved the way for mam mals to even tu ally grow over a thou sand fold in size, hit ting rec ords for heft some 34 mil lion years ago, a new study sug gests. “Size im pacts all as pects of bi ol o gy, from re pro duc tion to ex tinc tion,” said Uni vers ity of New Mex i co bi ol o gist Fe lisa Smith, who led the re search. “Un der stand ing the con straints op er at ing on size is cru cial to un der stand ing how ecosys tems work.”


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research

National Zoo Is Part of Elephant Study Awarded Prestigious Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

2010-10-22 - Washington, United States.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s endocrinology laboratory is set to play a vital role in what will be the most comprehensive and collaborative study on elephant welfare in zoos—a project funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services with the Honolulu Zoo serving as principal investigator.


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research
The National Zoo has performed a series of artificial insemination attempts to impregnate Shanthi the elephant.

National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant

2010-09-26 - Washington, United States. OurAmazingPlanet Staff

In an attempt to further conservation efforts for the Asian elephant, veterinarians at the Smithsonian National Zoo have performed a series of artificial insemination procedures on Shanthi, a 34-year old Asian elephant. A successful pregnancy would be an important milestone in the zoo´s commitment to Asian elephant conservation, zoo officials said in a statement.


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facility
Some animals have been relocated to make room for a new elephant exhibit.

Wanted: More Big Animals. The National Zoo is running dangerously low on "charismatic megafauna"

2010-09-01 - Washington, United States. Emily Leaman

Years of renovations and new exhibits at the National Zoo have taken their toll on the institution’s most important residents: the crowd-pleasing animals known as “charismatic megafauna.” Zoos have learned that to attract visitors, they need to offer 6 to 12 species of charismatic megafauna, the iconic large animals that range from pandas and tigers to elephants and great apes. After relocating its rhinos, giraffe, Nile hippopotamus, and a few pygmy hippos to other zoos, the National Zoo i...


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people

Man Arrested Outside of Elephant Enclosure. Zoo officials say man has psychiatric problems

2010-03-08 - Washington, United States.

Police in Washington, D.C. arrested a man who was trespassing on the grounds of The National Zoo Saturday afternoon. The man was outside the elephant enclosure that has been closed for a multi-million dollar renovation and got into a dispute, according to Lindsay Renick Mayer, a public affairs specialist for the zoo. He was then escorted off the property by zoo park police.


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misc

Judge Rules For Ringling Bros. In Elephant Abuse Case

2009-12-31 - Washington, United States.

A federal judge Wednesday ruled in favor of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum&Bailey Circus in a case brought by animal rights activists who accused the circus of abusing elephants. U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan said former Ringling employee Tom Rider and the Animal Protection Institute did not have legal standing to sue the circus, owned by Feld Entertainment Inc. Rider and the animal protection group brought the lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act.


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poaching

Poachers still killing 100 elephants daily in Africa

2009-10-19 - Washington, United States. John Platt

Twenty years after the international ban on ivory trade took effect, poachers are still slaughtering more than 100 elephants a day, according to a report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Poaching almost ceased after the ban, but it is now on the increase once again, felling an average of 104 elephants per day, the IFAW has found.


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research
This African elephant has lifted one foot, placing more weight on the toes of the other foot, to "listen" to seismic signals that can tell much, including danger, the presence of food or water, or the willingness of a potential mate at least two miles aw

Elephants Communicate Through Seismic Waves. Researcher: Elephant Vocalizations Hit the Ground Like Mini Explosions

2009-09-23 - Washington, United States. LEE DYE

If you were as clever as an elephant you could communicate with your friends without a cell phone or iPod or any other fancy electronic gadget. All you would have to do is speak, quite loudly as it turns out, and the earth would carry your message through seismic waves across considerable distances.


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research

Genetic variation at hair length candidate genes in elephants and the extinct woolly mammoth

2009-09-12 - Washington, United States.

Like humans, the living elephants are unusual among mammals in being sparsely covered with hair. Relative to extant elephants, the extinct woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, had a dense hair cover and extremely long hair, which likely were adaptations to its subarctic habitat. The fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene affects hair length in a diverse set of mammalian species. Mutations in FGF5 lead to recessive long hair phenotypes in mice, dogs, and cats; and the gene has been implicated i...


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welfare

Circus CEO says elephants are struck, but not hurt

2009-03-03 - Washington, United States. Nedra Pickler, AP

The head of the company that owns the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus acknowledged in federal court Tuesday that all his elephant handlers strike the animals with metal-tipped prods, but he said it´s necessary to keep the huge animals under control and doesn´t harm them. Feld entertainment Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Feld said the circus probably couldn´t have elephants without the prods - called bull hooks - and chains that are at the center of a trial i...


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welfare

Candidate C: Topic: Endangered species

2009-02-26 - Washington, United States.

The federal trial against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act will determine whether the circus can continue using bull hooks and chains to train and control its Asian elephant herd. But the implications of the trial go far beyond what devices elephant handlers can wield. If the animal rights plaintiffs succeed against Ringling Bros., they will also succeed in a dramatic reshaping of the ESA itself.


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welfare

Attorney, Plaintiffs in Circus Trial Argued that Elephants are Better Off Dead Than in Captivity. Same Animal Activists Now Claim To Be Interested In Elephants’ Welfare

2009-02-05 - Washington, United States.

The plaintiffs claim to be interested in protecting the welfare of circus elephants. But in a similar case in 2003, the same plaintiff’s attorney trying this week’s case—representing some of the same animal rights groups—argued that her clients would rather see African elephants killed than imported to the United States to be raised in captivity.


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film

Judge hears case alleging circus elephant abuse

2009-02-04 - Washington, United States.


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welfare
A Ringling Bros. circus elephant steps out of a train and onto a wooden ramp in this file photo.

Judge hears case alleging circus elephant abuse

2009-02-04 - Washington, United States. Paul Courson

A federal judge began hearing a lawsuit alleging the abuse of circus elephants, including the use of heavy chains, tethers and sharp tools called bullhooks. Defense attorneys for Ringling Bros. deny any abuse and hope the trial will disprove what they call years of "misinformation" about the treatment of circus elephants. Lawyer Michelle Pardo told CNN "the agenda of these animal special rights groups are that they want elephants out of captivity but they are starting here with the circus.


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book

Hannah"s Dream by Diane Hammond

2009-01-18 - Washington, United States.

I loved this book, based on a true story. Washington state, an old elephant (Hannah) and keeper, been together 41 years; old run down circus/wildlife park created by past eccentric, we get parallel stories of parks origins and eccentric's talks withthe elephant keeper over the years, but now the elephant keeper is ill and must retire; no one know's Hannah and can care for her the way keeper and his wife have. Bossy and rigid park manager, has odd ideas how to attract people to park, but brings i...


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trade
An African elephant

eBay and Ivory. The auction site"s ban on elephant products won"t help the environment.

2008-12-30 - Washington, United States. Brendan Borrell

In November, Brendan Borrell wrote about eBay's coming ban on the sale of ivory products and why it may not be such a great idea. The ban goes into effect Thursday. If, like me, you have always wanted to get a carved, elephant-ivory snuff box for that special someone, this holiday season may well be your last opportunity. The online auction site eBay announced on Oct. 20 that it would ban nearly all ivory sales on its auction sites effective Jan. 1. Last month, the company was embarrassed by the...


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book

Featured Book December 2008: Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants

2008-12-01 - Washington, United States.

Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants serves as a comprehensive text on elephant medicine and surgery. Based on the expertise of 36 scientists and clinical veterinarians, this volume covers biology, husbandry, veterinary medicine and surgery of the elephant as known today. This is the only definitive text on these species and should be available at every institution that may be involved, even peripherally, with elephants


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trade
A pair of elephant tusks mounted on metal bases from the personal collection of Robert Ruark are up for auction.

Relics of Wilmington outdoors storyteller to be auctioned

2008-11-02 - Washington, United States. Amy Hotz

During the 1950s and 1960s American readers clamored for the sporting adventure books and magazine articles of Wilmington native Robert Ruark. With Hemingway-esque flare, Ruark described real and fictional hunting trips from his grandfather’s backyard to the wilds of Africa. At 10 a.m. Monday, a relic of one of those adventures, and other personal items that once belonged to the author, will be auctioned at Doyle New York in New York City. The first item in the lot is a pair of elephant tusks ...


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job

National Zoo: Animal Keeper (Large Mammals & Elephants)

2008-10-27 - Washington, United States.

This position is located in the Animal Programs, Large Mammal & Elephant Unit of the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. This animal keeper position works with elephants and other wild/exotic large mammals and performs a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of the animals, many of which are rare and endangered.


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blog
A not-so-small thing

30 things before 30. I’m trying thirty new things every day for a month before I turn 30. #7: Take time to appreciate the little things in life . . . like elephants

2008-10-11 - Washington, United States.

Come quittin’ time I was already running late for a casual dinner with close friends so I speed-walked out of the office and across the street towards the Metro station. I caught a glimmer out of the corner of my eye—something gold and high off the ground. A crowd of people blocked the sidewalk and I groaned as I tried to push through towards my destination. And then I looked up. The glimmer had grown larger as I approached and I finally focused my eyes away from my beeline to...


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research

Mobile IT Helps Conservationists Get the Message

2008-10-08 - Washington, United States. Ken Banks

According to Fauna & Flora International (FFI, "In Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy, FFI and its local partners have fitted elephants with radio collars that transmit their location in 'real time.' This technology is not only useful to researchers who are able to track the elephants with far greater precision, but can also be used on problem animals -- elephants that habitually break fences, for example. The collars can be remotely programmed to send SMS messages at user-defined intervals or when a...


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culling
Namibian Desert Elephant

Conservation Group Warns Against Killing Namibian Desert Elephants

2008-09-01 - Washington, United States. Joe DeCapua

An animal conservation group warns that Namibia's desert elephants face a severe blow because the government has issued permits to kill some breeding bulls. Permits to kill six of the bulls have been awarded for trophy hunting. The government says the elephant herds can handle the loss. Johannes Haasbroek is the operations director for the group Elephant-Human Relations Aid. From Swakopmund, Namibia, he spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about the permits to kill the br...


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poaching

Chinese demand for ivory leads to elephant decimation in Congo

2008-08-30 - Washington, United States.

Almost 10 per cent of elephants have been killed in Congos troubled Virunga National Park by armed groups, soldiers, and poachers, allegedly driven by rising Chinese demand for ivory. Surveys carried out in the 1960s found 2,889 elephants in the park. By 2006 that number had dropped to 400. Just two years later, its estimated there are as few as half that number. According to a report in National Geographic News, the announcement raises fears that elephants could disappear forever from Africas o...


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abstract

Long-Term Impacts of Poaching on Relatedness, Stress Physiology, and Reproductive Output of Adult Female African Elephants.

2008-08-28 - Washington, United States. Gobush KS, Mutayoba BM, Wasser SK. niversity of Washington, Box 351800, Seattle

Widespread poaching prior to the 1989 ivory ban greatly altered the demographic structure of matrilineal African elephant (Loxodonta africana) family groups in many populations by decreasing the number of old, adult females. We assessed the long-term impacts of poaching by investigating genetic, physiological, and reproductive correlates of a disturbed social structure resulting from heavy poaching of an African elephant population in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, prior to 1989. We examined fe...


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event

Come join the National Zoo for a celebration of Asian elephants.

2008-08-23 - Washington, United States.

This free event will feature demonstrations on how our keepers and vets care for elephants, and what a day in the life of a Zoo elephant is like. You can also sneak a peek at the construction of our Elephant Trails exhibit. Watch the elephants as they are bathed, weighed, and trained to hold still for physical exams, weighing, and x-rays. Our female elephant, Ambika, turns 60 this year so stop by the yards at 1 p.m. to watch her enjoy her birthday “cake,” specially prepared by the Zo...


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film

Kandula ~ Elephant Story

2008-08-19 - Washington, United States.

On a seemingly ordinary day in November, 2001, something amazing happens at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. aby Kandula is born. His birth marks a rare success and huge scientific milestone for the zoological community: The 320-pound newborn is only the second Asian elephant to be born through artificial insemination. Watch as this playful, rambunctious youngster grows up right before your eyes  taking his first steps, learning to feed and figuring out how to manipulate object...


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facility

US. NATIONAL ZOO: Asian Elephants Will Soon Have New Trails to Roam

2008-08-03 - Washington, United States. Michael E. Ruane

The Asian elephants at the National Zoo have it nice. Every morning they get bathed and scrubbed. They often get pedicures, and step up on the scale to have their weight checked. Then they go outside to the oohs and ahhs of the adoring public. Now life is about to get even better. In March, the zoo began work on a $60 million renovation of its elephant complex, announced two years ago, that will transform it into a state-of-the-art sanctuary called Elephant Trails.


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poaching
Elephant tusks seized by authorities lie next to weapons used by poachers, including rocket-propelled grenades used against rangers who protect the elephants.

Ivory Poaching At Critical Levels: Elephants On Path To Extinction By 2020?

2008-08-01 - Washington, United States.

African elephants are being slaughtered for their ivory at a pace unseen since an international ban on the ivory trade took effect in 1989. But the public outcry that resulted in that ban is absent today, and a University of Washington conservation biologist contends it is because the public seems to be unaware of the giant mammals' plight.


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trade

Remain Humane at the Olympics in China. Food/Merchandise Tips for Summer Games

2008-07-31 - Washington, United States. Kristen Everett, Press Releases, The Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States and its international arm Humane Society International has a list of do's and don'ts for those traveling to China, where tourist souvenirs and some meals involve cruelty to animals. Teresa Telecky, Ph.D., policy director for Humane Society International, offers the following tips to help those wishing to make animal-friendly decisions while in China: Don't buy ivory. During a recent trip to China, Telecky saw ivory for sale widely, even in hotel gift shops...


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film
Elephants are able to recognize themselves in a mirror, a trait shared with humans, apes and dolphins.

They are Like Us, Elephant Researchers Say. From Kenya to Tennessee, Elephants With PTSD Symptoms Are Finding Some Peace.

2008-07-24 - Washington, United States. KIMBERLY LAUNIER

Watch the story Friday on "20/20" at 10 p.m. ET. There is something startling about an elephant's eyes. Their fiery amber color seems to blaze against the surrounding skin's burlap creases. An ancient face, lined with history, but it is the eyes that convey the generational knowledge of the species. They offer a glimpse into what researchers now say is a surprising level of consciousness. It is one of many reasons why the place elephants hold in our imaginations is both epic, and wondrous.


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conflict

Better wildlife management can also help save crops and human lives

2008-05-18 - Washington, United States.

A new WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) study of conflict between humans and wild elephants in Africa and Asia has suggested that governments could save human lives and millions of dollars in crop and income losses for the rural poor through better consideration of the needs of wildlife. According to a report in ENN (Environmental News Network), the study found the most serious conflict and harm to both human communities and elephants resulted from unplanned and unregulated development.


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poaching

Fueling World Ivory Trade Spells New Threat to Africa"s Elephant Population

2008-05-02 - Washington, United States.

An upsurge of elephant poaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in the killing of 14 elephants in the past two weeks by militias, the military, and local villagers. Four were felled by an ex-Rwandan Hutu FDLR militia, formerly known as Interahamwe. Three elephants were murdered by the local Mai-Mai militia (PARECO), five by the Congolese military (FARDC), and two by local villagers. From eastern Congo’s Virunga National Park where the slaughter occurred, Emmanuel de Morode,...


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evolution
Woolly mam­moths in an art­ist

Hunting was just final straw for mammoth, study finds

2008-03-31 - Washington, United States.

Does the hu­man spe­cies have mam­moth blood on its hands? Sci­en­tists have long de­bat­ed wheth­er cli­mate change or hu­man hunt­ing were pri­ma­rily re­spon­si­ble for con­sign­ing the shag­gy el­e­phant rel­a­tive to his­to­ry. A new study uses cli­mate mod­els and fos­sil dis­tri­bu­tion to con­clude that the woolly mam­moth went ex­tinct mainly be­cause a warm­ing cli­mate, while hunt­ing was the fi­nal straw.


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misc
Spunk in the Trunk: Kandula gets hot and heavy with zooyard toys.

Raging Bull. The National Zoo endures some growing pains with its young elephant Kandula.

2008-03-27 - Washington, United States. Angela Valdez

Kandula, the National Zoo’s 6-year-old bull elephant, began showing signs of a change a little over a year ago. He started spending more time away from his mother and lashing out at his toys. Keepers could see him flexing his growing muscles, occasionally flashing the whites of his eyes. Kandula was becoming an adolescent jerk. “He’s full of himself, like a teenage boy would be,” says Dr. Don Moore, associate director of animal care. Elephant manager Marie Galloway thinks Moore exaggerat...


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trade

CITES Afrique a Species Survival Network newsletter

2008-03-03 - Washington, United States. Michelle Gadd, Program Officer, Species Survival Network

The February issue of CITES Afrique is now posted on the English version of the Species Survival Network website - the French version will be posted shortly. This issue has as one of its features a story on the creation of the African Elephant Coalition. It can be found at http://ssn.org


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film
Earth Report investigates new evidence that elephant poaching is on the rise again.

The Ivory Poaching Wars Airing on BBC World this Friday, 8 February 2008

2008-02-08 - Washington, United States. Alexandra Viets, IGSD/INECE Secretariat

BBC World presents "The Ivory Poaching Wars," an Earth Report documentary that tracks illegally poached elephant ivory on its journey from Africa to Japan and the United States, with the help of an African enforcement agency and DNA analysts from the United States. Treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have been introduced over the years to protect wildlife against illegal poaching, but the elephant ivory trade remains a very...


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wild

Elephants eating habits strongly influence lizards habitat choices

2008-01-29 - Washington, United States.

The eating habits of elephants have a strong influence on the habitat choices of lizards, says a researcher. Robert M. Pringle of Stanford University says that his findings are based on an examination of the connections between elephants and lizards, for which he worked at the Mpala Research Center in Kenya between 2004 and 2007. He observed that Kenya dwarf geckos (Lygodactylus keniensis) showed a strong preference for trees that had been damaged by browsing elephants (Loxodonta africana).


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conservation

U.S. Gives $1.2 Million to Protect Elephants

2008-01-28 - Washington, United States.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced it will award $1,277,921 in grants to 15 African countries to assist in the protection of African elephants. Combined with matching contributions from private-sector partners, the total U.S. commitment to elephant conservation will exceed $4 million.


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medical

National Zoo Tries to Get Asian Elephant Shanti Pregnant

2008-01-19 - Washington, United States.

It's a bit early to decorate the nursery, but officials at the National Zoo are hoping that Shanthi the elephant will have another baby in 2009. Veterinarians conducted two artificial insemination procedures on Shanthi this week. Scientists will now monitor her hormones. If the level of progesterone in her blood remains high after 10 weeks, then she's most likely pregnant. An Asian elephant's gestation period ranges from 20 to 22 months. In 2001, Shanthi gave birth to Kandula - the fifth elephan...


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fossil

Humans May Have Hunted Mastadons

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.


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fossil
Patti McClinchy of Everett found this fossilized mammoth molar on a rocky Hat Island beach in the summer.

A lot can be learned from a mammoth molar

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.


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misc

Are Elephants Afraid of Mice? I"ve always heard that elephants are afraid of mice. But why would a big animal fear such a small one?

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...


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abstract

Behavioural inbreeding avoidance in wild African elephants.

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...


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conservation

Senate and House Move Quickly to Reauthorize Programs for International Conservation

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.


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conservation

Counting Invisible Elephants

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


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book

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

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.


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conservation

Feds Fund Elephant, Gorilla, Turtle Conservation

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.


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medical

Washington National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant Shanti

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.


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circus
Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive officer of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, said supporting the troops is a part of the circus’s culture now.

Circus Honors Wounded Servicemembers

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.


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event

Elephants on a Lunchtime Parade in Washington

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.


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research

Can Africas Elephants Be Saved? Scientists are Using Sophisticated Crime Techniques to Try to End the Slaughter

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.


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trade
Elephant in Kenyas Samburu National Reserve

New study counters bid to commercialise ivory

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...


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poaching
African elephants are hunted for their valuable ivory

Slaughter threatens future of African elephants

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.


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research

DNA from ivory may lead to poachers

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...


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medical
In this photo released by the Smithsonian

Vets Find Blood Clot in Old Elephant Ambika in Washington

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.


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medical
Ambika, an Asian elephant, lost her appetite and grew lethargic. (National Zoo)

Illness of Elephant Ambika, 59, Is Studied in Washington National Zoo

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.


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zoo

Zoo Elephants Thriving; New Data Filed With Federal Government Thwarts Anti-Zoo Extremists

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.


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pictures

Elephant fetus. Photo from National Geographic Channel - In the Womb: Animals.

2006-11-21 - Washington, United States.

At 12 months, an elephant fetus is an average of 18 inches long and weighs approximately 26 pounds. It can use its trunk, curling it right up into its mouth and over its head. From "In the Womb: Animals" CGI Artist, Steve Gomez


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event
Kandula rips through a birthday sign at his fifth birthday celebration at the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington November 19, 2006. Zoo staff prepared a cake for the Asian elephant bull that included oats, apples and wheat.

Asian Elephant Celebrates 5th Birthday

2006-11-19 - WASHINGTON, United States.

When you're young, not much beats your birthday and the National Zoo's baby elephant celebrated his on Sunday. Kids and adults turned out to watch Kandula, the zoo's youngest elephant, open presents for his fifth birthday.The celebration also featured scientist talks, crafts for kids, and a "cake".


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event

Kandula"s 5th Birthday Celebration

2006-11-19 - Washington, United States. National Zoo

National Zoo's Asian elephant calf, Kandula, is turning five this month! Come celebrate with us. The birthday party will feature traditional Sri Lankan dances, a cake and presents for Kandula, scientist talks, crafts for kids, Sri Lankan tea, and much more. Come to the Zoo's Elephant House for all the festivities.


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people

Liz Hurley learning to ride Elephants for her wedding!

2006-11-16 - Washington, United States. http://news.sawf.org/

With her wedding to beau Arun Nayar fast approaching, British beauty Elizabeth Hurley is determined that no matter what, she’s going to be the epitome of elegance, and has thus started taking elephant riding lessons. The Bedazzled star is to arrive on the back of an elephant for the couple’s Hindu wedding ceremony and thus is nervous that she won’t know how to sit atop the giant mammal on her big day.


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event

Sri Lankan Cultural and Education Program with baby elephant Kandulas Fifth birthday celebration in Washington

2006-11-16 - Washington, United States. Daya Gamage, US National Correspondent for Asiantribune.com

A cultural and educational program about Sri Lanka is being held at the National Zoo in Washington on 16 and 19 November jointly sponsored by the Sri Lanka embassy, Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Friends of National Zoo. The highlight of the program is the celebration of the fifth birthday of the Sri Lankan baby elephant ‘Kandula.’


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facility

National Zoo"s Only Giraffe Leaves for Florida

2006-11-15 - Washington, United States.

The National Zoo's only giraffe Randle is gone. The National Zoo moved Randle in preparation for the renovation and expansion of its Asian elephant exhibit, where the giraffe has lived since 2003. Although construction isn't scheduled to begin until the spring, zoo officials say they relocated Randle now so that he could avoid D.C.'s winter weather. Other animals at the zoo's elephant exhibit also will be moved over the next year, including a hippo, two pygmy hippos and two capybaras.


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job

National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution :ANIMAL KEEPERS (ELEPHANTS)

2006-11-08 - Washington, United States. Office of Human Resources, Smithsonian Institution

The incumbent performs routine duties in the care and maintenance of elephants and other mammals many of whom may be exotic, rare and endangered. The incumbent performs daily schedule of cleaning assigned areas, exhibits, enclosures, glass, acrylic, filters, and adjacent areas; prepares and distributes food in species specific manner; removes unconsumed food and debris; reports deviations from normal food consumption, unusual behavior, symptoms of illness or injury, unsafe or unusual conditions;...


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zoo

Keep elephants in captivity? Yes! A Bronx Zoo pachyderm can recognize itself in the mirror, we learned this week. Zoo defenders and animal rights activists square off on letting Dumbos go free

2006-11-05 - Washington, United States. KRISTIN L. VEHRS, executive director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (left in photo)

There is no place on the planet where elephants are not in contact with humans. On increasingly shrinking territory, elephants in Africa and Asia face poaching, predation, hunger and disease - their wild state. If we abandon elephants to their fate, in a few short years the only place you'll be able to see them is in a museum. But this is where high-quality, accredited zoos come in, offering a vital link to elephant conservation.


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zoo
The Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee, founded in 1995 in Hohenwald, 85 miles soutwest of Nashville, is home to Asian and African species.

Elephant debate: Live in zoo or roam free.

2006-11-01 - WASHINGTON, United States. Liz Szabo

Some say zoo elephants have never had it better. Anna and Dolly of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore will enjoy a new outdoor walking track and three additional companions. At the National Zoo, Kandula, Shanthi and Ambika will have four times as much room as in their current exhibit. More than half of the 78 zoos that exhibit elephants plan to construct bigger homes, says Kris Vehrs, executive director of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.


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fossil
Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi

Elephant "Missing Link" Fossil Found, Study Says. New species named Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi

2006-10-31 - Washington, United States.

Parts of a fossil jawbone discovered by a farmer in Eritrea might belong to a "missing link" species that connects modern elephants to their ancient ancestors. The lower jaw fragments, about 27 million years old, were found in the Dogali fossil site, said Jeheskel Shoshani, the lead author of elephant evolution and professor of biology at the University of Asmara in Eritrea. The new species is named Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi, by the researchers, according to a paper that appears in the onli...


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welfare
Elephant foot in extreme bad condition before footcare.

USDA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD ON IDA ELEPHANT PETITION AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS. These comments will assist APHIS in determining whether specific standards are needed in the Animal Welfare Act for captive elephants space and living conditions and what those standards should be.

2006-10-24 - WASHINGTON, United States. Jim Rogers, Jerry Redding

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the public comment period regarding the In Defense of Animals petition on elephants and request for comment to Dec. 11. Specifically, APHIS invites responses to the following questions: What are the causes of arthritis in elephants? What, if any, foot care practices have been used on captive elephants to maintain healthy feet?


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conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Africa: U.S. Wildlife Agency Helps International Conservation

2006-10-12 - Washington, United States.

A census of elephant populations in Zimbabwe, equipment for scouts in a game management area in Zambia, and research on re-establishing a viable population of tigers in southwest China are just a few of the wildlife conservation projects around the world receiving support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Almost $750,000 in grants is being awarded to projects in Asian, Caribbean and African nations to aid in the conservation of creatures such as rhinos, elephants, gorillas, chimpa...


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welfare

US Senate passes the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) S. 3880

2006-09-30 - Washington, United States. US Senate Committee: Majority Press Release

Senator Inhofe writes: The Senate last night provided law enforcement the tools they need to adequately combat radical animal rights extremists who commit violent acts against innocent people because they work with animals. This bill is an important step in the effort to combat animal rights extremists increasingly violent tactics. We can no longer tolerate criminally based activism regardless of the cause it allegedly advances. This is terrorism and must be stopped.


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medical

USDA seeks input on captive elephants footcare

2006-09-02 - Washington, United States.

The Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is requesting comment on foot care for captive elephants. In a Feb. 2 petition, In Defense of Animals claimed that captive elephants suffer from chronic foot and joint problems because of inadequate space and living conditions. The group asked APHIS to issue an interpretive rule or policy to clarify conditions adequate for captive elephants.


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facility

Habitat Renovation To Give Asian Elephants More Room To Roam Expansion of facilities is part of National Zoo"s elephant conservation program

2006-07-28 - Washington, United States. Cassie Duong

Ambika, Shanthi and Kandula, the Asian elephants at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, will have more room to roam under the zoo's plans for a $60 million "Elephant Trails" exhibit that will expand and renovate their current facilities beginning in the spring of 2007.


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facility

Elephants pose challenge for zoos

2006-06-26 - Washington, United States. Smithsonian Magazine

The worlds biggest land animals can pose a big challenge for zoos. In light of research showing that elephants are social, intelligent creatures which need companionship and room to roam, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association mandated in May that elephant facilities allot at least 1,800 square feet for one elephant outdoors plus 900 square feet for each additional animal.


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facility

Asian Elephants To Get New Habitat At National Zoo

2006-06-20 - WASHINGTON, United States.

The National Zoo kicked off a $60 million campaign to save the Asian elephant from extinction. Only about 30,000 Asian elephants remain in the entire world, but the National Zoo's three Asian elephants are getting an impressive new habitat. The habitat will include four acres outdoors and a new indoor elephant house that's five times the size of the current elephant house.


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medical
Shanthi was the first elephant artificially inseminated using new catheter and ultrasound techniques developed by Dr. Hildebrandt and his team.

National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant

2006-03-03 - Washington, United States. National Zoo Press Release

Continuing two decades of elephant conservation and research, Smithsonian’s National Zoo elephant experts and a team of German veterinary scientists last night completed the first of what may be two artificial insemination procedures on Shanthi, one of the Zoo’s Asian elephants. Shanthi is approximately 30 years old, and is the mother of Kandula, the Zoo’s four-year-old male, who was conceived by artificial insemination conducted by the same team of scientists in February 2000.


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misc

Where Do Zoo Animals Go When They Die? -To the lab, the museum, and the education department.

2006-01-27 - Washington, United States. Daniel Engber

Veterinarians at the National Zoo put down two animals this week: an arthritic, 40-year-old elephant named Toni and a 13-year-old cheetah with kidney problems named Wandu. What happens to zoo animals when they die? First, a necropsy is performed, and then the remains are cremated.


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event

Memorial Planned For National Zoo"s Euthanized Elephant

2006-01-27 - WASHINGTON, United States.

A memorial service will be held outside the National Zoo Saturday to mourn an Asian elephant. Toni, a 40-year-old Asian elephant, was euthanized Wednesday, after suffering for years from a leg injury and arthritis. Monks from the Wat Thai center in Silver Spring will offer a Buddhist blessing. Event organizers will hand out stickers that read, "I'm a friend of Toni, are you?" to shine light on the issue of large animals held in captivity.


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welfare

PETA seeks sanctuary for US National Zoo elephants

2006-01-26 - WASHINGTON, United States.

An animal rights group on Thursday appealed to the U.S. National Zoo in Washington to send its three remaining Asian elephants to an animal sanctuary and close its elephant exhibit. The appeal came a day after the zoo put down an arthritic Asian elephant who was said to have been in worsening pain. The elephant named Toni was 40. Elephants can live to be 60 or older.


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death

Toni, National Zoos asian elephant euthanized

2006-01-25 - WASHINGTON, United States. Vera Cohn and Karlyn Barker

An ailing National Zoo elephant, whose worsening arthritis made her the flashpoint of a debate over whether her species belongs in zoos, was euthanized yesterday after her condition deteriorated dramatically. Toni, an Asian elephant, was 40 years old, about two decades short of the typical expected lifespan. She had been at the Smithsonian Institution animal park since 1989.


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research

Elephants Respect Old, Big Females

2006-01-23 - Washington, United States. Jennifer Viegas

In a female elephant gang, few animals bother the oldest and biggest of the group because they know she will not put up with any nonsense, according to a new study that found age and size determine wild female elephant hierarchies. The study, published in the current issue of Animal Behavior, presents some of the first data on dominance and the social lives of adult, wild female elephants, Loxodonta africana. Females of this species hang out together in family groups for most of their lives.


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conservation

Man who saved the elephants in Congo is awarded £65,000 prize

2005-04-19 - Washington, United States. ROB CRILLY

A CONGOLESE botanist who stayed at his post to protect a nature reserve at the height of his country’s bitter civil war has won one of the world’s top environmental awards. Corneille Ewango negotiated with gunmen to stop them shooting elephants and gorillas for meat, and even found time to discover new species of trees. Yesterday, he was named one of the winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize, worth £65,000. "It’s my contribution to advancing science," he said. "Even if I die, I would...


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research

Elephants driven to extinction by man, not climate change

2005-04-12 - Washington, United States. Steve Connor, Science

Elephants have been hunted to extinction on several continents and their global demise over the millennia is the direct result of human migration rather than climate change, scientists have found.


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trade

Can fossil ivory save elephants?

2004-10-15 - WASHINGTON, United States. Guy Gugliotta, Washington Post

Hunters find the ancient tusks clustered on sandbars near the
Arctic Ocean, carried there by spring-melt waters flowing from the Siberian
tundra. A pair of them, dried, polished and elegantly mounted for a trophy
room or home museum, can weigh 400 pounds and cost up to $75,000.


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research

Researchers Devise Potent New Tools To Curb Ivory Poaching

2004-10-13 - Washington, United States.

Despite a long-standing international ban on ivory trade, African elephants continue to be killed in large numbers for their prized tusks. But a team headed by a University of Washington biologist has devised a new means of determining the geographic origin of ivory that could prove a potent tool in slowing elephant poaching and the illegal ivory trade by identifying hot spots where enforcement should be increased.


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abstract

Assigning African elephant DNA to geographic region of origin: Applications to the ivory trade

2004-10-12 - Washington, United States. Samuel K. Wasser, Andrew M. Shedlock, Kenine Comstock, Elaine A. Ostrander, Benezeth Mutayoba,and Matthew Stephens. The National Academy of Sciences

Resurgence of illicit trade in African elephant ivory is placing the elephant at renewed risk. Regulation of this trade could be vastly improved by the ability to verify the geographic origin of tusks. We address this need by developing a combined genetic and statistical method to determine the origin of poached ivory. Our statistical approach exploits a smoothing method to estimate geographic-specific allele frequencies over the entire African elephants' range for 16 microsatellite loci, using ...


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zoo

Elephants Leading Long Lives In Professionally Managed Zoos

2004-09-29 - Washington, United States.

New research shows that elephants in professionally managed zoological facilities have life expectancies similar to elephants in the wild. The finding, published in the August edition of the journal Zoo Biology (Volume 23, Issue 4), refutes a 2002 study that claimed wild elephants typically live longer. The new research used a different testing methodology, which its authors say corrects these earlier findings.


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research

New scientific methods to identify elephant DNA in ivory

2004-09-28 - Washington, United States.

Washington - Using elephant dung and skin samples, researchers say they are able to make a map of elephant DNA that can help track down ivory poachers.


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trade

Groups File Suit to Stop Wild African Elephant Import by U.S. Zoos. Action Comes One Week after Federal Agency Questions Validity of Import Permits

2003-04-10 - Washington, United States.

Aiming to stop what would be the first import of wild elephants to American Zoo Association (AZA) accredited zoos in the U.S. in more than a decade, a coalition of wildlife conservation and animal protection organizations today filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).


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evolution

Loxodonta cyclotis: How Do You Miss a Whole Elephant Species?

2001-12-17 - Washington, United States. Lee R. Berger, for National Geographic News

How do you miss a whole species of elephant? But that's just what has happened. Up until recently, scientists believed there were two species of elephant: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. Geneticists conducting a comprehensive DNA sampling of elephants from across Africa recently found that there are in fact two species of African elephants. Until this announcement, most zoologists had lumped all African elephants together into a single species, Loxodonta Africana, with four widely r...


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research

2001-09-18 - Washington, United States.

Scientists say African elephants that live in the forest and those that live in grasslands are different enough to be considered separate kinds, or species. Until now, scientists believed all African elephants were the same genetically. They have long recognized the clear differences between African and Asian elephants.


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research

DNA Tests Show African Elephants Are Two Species

2001-08-24 - Washington, United States. Hillary Mayell, National Geographic News

Genetic fingerprinting shows that Africa's forest and savanna elephants are as different from one another as lions and tigers and should be considered as two genetically distinct species, an international group of researchers reports.


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medical

Toxic Plant May Be Behind Elephant Trunk Disease

2000-02-19 - WASHINGTON, United States.

A baffling disease that causes elephants to lose control of their trunks, making it hard for them to eat and communicate, is probably caused by a toxic plant. Kurt Hostettmann of Lausanne University in Switzerland said his group -- which usually searches for natural sources of new drugs -- believes a poisonous plant could be responsible and he has narrowed the list of potential culprits down to two or three.


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medical

Deaths of Zoo Elephants Explained -- New Virus Identified

1999-02-18 - Washington, United States. Johns Hopkins, Baltimore and National Zoo

Researchers at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., have discovered the cause of death of nearly a dozen young North American zoo elephants -- fatal hemorrhaging from a previously unknown form of herpesvirus that apparently jumped from African elephants to the Asian species.


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circus

Ringling circus charged in young elephant"s death

1998-04-22 - Washington, United States. CNN

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus forced a sick elephant to perform in two shows, leading to its death, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

The agency filed a legal complaint against the circus, charging it with violating the Animal Welfare Act. The complaint says the circus failed to properly look after Kenny, a 3-year-old Asian elephant, when he performed twice in Jacksonville in January.


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death

Ringling brothers first elephant: Death of Babe at Washington Zoo 1937

1937-08-23 - Washington, United States.

Behind the Zebra House at the Washington, D. C. Zoo last week, laborers, dug a number of large holes. Then, sombrely, they carted into them, piece by piece, some 8,500 pounds of elephant flesh. Thus to her last resting place went Babe, described in the eulogistic Washington press as not only the oldest, but the most celebrated elephant on earth. No elephant since Phineas Taylor Barnum's Jumbo has had a legitimate claim to the distinction of being more famous than all others of the species.


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119 Headlines about Elephants from Washington2022-03-22 - Washington, United States - Elephant tusk DNA is used to expose poaching networks 2020-09-03 - Washington, United States - Once seen as loners, male elephants shown to follow elders 2020-08-17 - Washington, United States - 15 vintage photographs of the old Washington Park Zoo 2016-01-22 - Washington, United States - Three U.S. zoos team up to save rare Borneo elephants 2015-04-09 - Washington, United States - Review of Caitlin O"Connell"s book "Elephant Don" 2014-05-04 - Washington, United States - Ivory Ban Impacts Musicians 2014-02-22 - Washington, United States - Ringling Bros. Wins $9.3 Million In Settlement From ASPCA Over Claims Of Elephant Abuse 2014-01-30 - Washington, United States - UN Security Council targets poaching and wildlife trade with DRC sanctions 2013-11-14 - Washington, United States - US posts $1 mln reward targeting Laos poaching ring 2013-09-10 - Washington, United States - US to Destroy 6 Tons of Illegal Ivory 2013-08-21 - Washington, United States - U.S. National Zoo Getting 3 New Elephants From Canada 2013-07-23 - Washington, United States - Sign the petition because a world without PETA is a free world, where democrazy and laws once again specify what is animal abuse or not, and where classical animal welfare is once again an issue, not "animal rights". 2013-05-03 - Washington, United States - Lonely elephant to join herd at National Zoo in DC 2013-03-24 - Washington, United States - The Brains of the Animal Kingdom: Primatologist Frans de Waal on memory-champ chimps, tool-using elephants and rats capable of empathy. 2013-03-23 - Washington, United States - National Zoo opening elephant center after $56M overhaul 2013-03-07 - Washington, United States - Animal Rights: The History and Nature of the Beast 2011-12-07 - Washington, United States - No, we won’t be able to clone a woolly mammoth in the next five years 2011-12-02 - Washington, United States - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) 2011-10-20 - Washington, United States - 13,800-year-old mastodon kill site in Washington: New window on lives of first Americans 2011-10-10 - Washington, United States - Leonardo DiCaprio Speaks for Elephants 2011-03-16 - Washington, United States - CEO sentenced for smuggling elephant ivory into US 2011-03-14 - Washington, United States - Explorers look to save elephants, end ivory trade 2011-02-08 - Washington, United States - Chasing The Largest Elephant in Angola, 1954 2010-12-22 - Washington, United States - "African elephant" actually two separate species 2010-11-27 - Washington, United States - Dinos out of way, mammals ballooned to record sizes 2010-10-22 - Washington, United States - National Zoo Is Part of Elephant Study Awarded Prestigious Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services 2010-09-26 - Washington, United States - National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant 2010-09-01 - Washington, United States - Wanted: More Big Animals. The National Zoo is running dangerously low on "charismatic megafauna" 2010-03-08 - Washington, United States - Man Arrested Outside of Elephant Enclosure. Zoo officials say man has psychiatric problems 2009-12-31 - Washington, United States - Judge Rules For Ringling Bros. In Elephant Abuse Case 2009-10-19 - Washington, United States - Poachers still killing 100 elephants daily in Africa 2009-09-23 - Washington, United States - Elephants Communicate Through Seismic Waves. Researcher: Elephant Vocalizations Hit the Ground Like Mini Explosions 2009-09-12 - Washington, United States - Genetic variation at hair length candidate genes in elephants and the extinct woolly mammoth 2009-03-03 - Washington, United States - Circus CEO says elephants are struck, but not hurt 2009-02-26 - Washington, United States - Candidate C: Topic: Endangered species 2009-02-05 - Washington, United States - Attorney, Plaintiffs in Circus Trial Argued that Elephants are Better Off Dead Than in Captivity. Same Animal Activists Now Claim To Be Interested In Elephants’ Welfare 2009-02-04 - Washington, United States - Judge hears case alleging circus elephant abuse 2009-02-04 - Washington, United States - Judge hears case alleging circus elephant abuse 2009-01-18 - Washington, United States - Hannah"s Dream by Diane Hammond 2008-12-30 - Washington, United States - eBay and Ivory. The auction site"s ban on elephant products won"t help the environment. 2008-12-01 - Washington, United States - Featured Book December 2008: Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants 2008-11-02 - Washington, United States - Relics of Wilmington outdoors storyteller to be auctioned 2008-10-27 - Washington, United States - National Zoo: Animal Keeper (Large Mammals & Elephants) 2008-10-11 - Washington, United States - 30 things before 30. I’m trying thirty new things every day for a month before I turn 30. #7: Take time to appreciate the little things in life . . . like elephants 2008-10-08 - Washington, United States - Mobile IT Helps Conservationists Get the Message 2008-09-01 - Washington, United States - Conservation Group Warns Against Killing Namibian Desert Elephants 2008-08-30 - Washington, United States - Chinese demand for ivory leads to elephant decimation in Congo 2008-08-28 - Washington, United States - Long-Term Impacts of Poaching on Relatedness, Stress Physiology, and Reproductive Output of Adult Female African Elephants. 2008-08-23 - Washington, United States - Come join the National Zoo for a celebration of Asian elephants. 2008-08-19 - Washington, United States - Kandula ~ Elephant Story 2008-08-03 - Washington, United States - US. NATIONAL ZOO: Asian Elephants Will Soon Have New Trails to Roam 2008-08-01 - Washington, United States - Ivory Poaching At Critical Levels: Elephants On Path To Extinction By 2020? 2008-07-31 - Washington, United States - Remain Humane at the Olympics in China. Food/Merchandise Tips for Summer Games 2008-07-24 - Washington, United States - They are Like Us, Elephant Researchers Say. From Kenya to Tennessee, Elephants With PTSD Symptoms Are Finding Some Peace. 2008-05-18 - Washington, United States - Better wildlife management can also help save crops and human lives 2008-05-02 - Washington, United States - Fueling World Ivory Trade Spells New Threat to Africa"s Elephant Population 2008-03-31 - Washington, United States - Hunting was just final straw for mammoth, study finds 2008-03-27 - Washington, United States - Raging Bull. The National Zoo endures some growing pains with its young elephant Kandula. 2008-03-03 - Washington, United States - CITES Afrique a Species Survival Network newsletter 2008-02-08 - Washington, United States - The Ivory Poaching Wars Airing on BBC World this Friday, 8 February 2008 2008-01-29 - Washington, United States - Elephants eating habits strongly influence lizards habitat choices 2008-01-28 - Washington, United States - U.S. Gives $1.2 Million to Protect Elephants 2008-01-19 - Washington, United States - National Zoo Tries to Get Asian Elephant Shanti Pregnant 2007-11-27 - Washington, United States - Humans May Have Hunted Mastadons 2007-11-26 - Washington, United States - A lot can be learned from a mammoth molar 2007-11-15 - Washington, United States - Are Elephants Afraid of Mice? I"ve always heard that elephants are afraid of mice. But why would a big animal fear such a small one? 2007-09-04 - Washington, United States - Behavioural inbreeding avoidance in wild African elephants. 2007-08-01 - Washington, United States - Senate and House Move Quickly to Reauthorize Programs for International Conservation 2007-06-18 - Washington, United States - Counting Invisible Elephants 2007-06-15 - Washington, United States - The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti 2007-04-29 - Washington, United States - Feds Fund Elephant, Gorilla, Turtle Conservation 2007-04-02 - Washington, United States - Washington National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant Shanti 2007-03-27 - Washington, United States - Circus Honors Wounded Servicemembers 2007-03-19 - Washington, United States - Elephants on a Lunchtime Parade in Washington 2007-03-06 - Washington, United States - Can Africas Elephants Be Saved? Scientists are Using Sophisticated Crime Techniques to Try to End the Slaughter 2007-02-28 - Washington, United States - New study counters bid to commercialise ivory 2007-02-27 - Washington, United States - Slaughter threatens future of African elephants 2007-02-26 - WASHINGTON, United States - DNA from ivory may lead to poachers 2007-02-08 - Washington, United States - Vets Find Blood Clot in Old Elephant Ambika in Washington 2007-02-08 - Washington, United States - Illness of Elephant Ambika, 59, Is Studied in Washington National Zoo 2007-01-10 - WASHINGTON, United States - Zoo Elephants Thriving; New Data Filed With Federal Government Thwarts Anti-Zoo Extremists 2006-11-21 - Washington, United States - Elephant fetus. Photo from National Geographic Channel - In the Womb: Animals. 2006-11-19 - WASHINGTON, United States - Asian Elephant Celebrates 5th Birthday 2006-11-19 - Washington, United States - Kandula"s 5th Birthday Celebration 2006-11-16 - Washington, United States - Liz Hurley learning to ride Elephants for her wedding! 2006-11-16 - Washington, United States - Sri Lankan Cultural and Education Program with baby elephant Kandulas Fifth birthday celebration in Washington 2006-11-15 - Washington, United States - National Zoo"s Only Giraffe Leaves for Florida 2006-11-08 - Washington, United States - National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution :ANIMAL KEEPERS (ELEPHANTS) 2006-11-05 - Washington, United States - Keep elephants in captivity? Yes! A Bronx Zoo pachyderm can recognize itself in the mirror, we learned this week. Zoo defenders and animal rights activists square off on letting Dumbos go free 2006-11-01 - WASHINGTON, United States - Elephant debate: Live in zoo or roam free. 2006-10-31 - Washington, United States - Elephant "Missing Link" Fossil Found, Study Says. New species named Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi 2006-10-24 - WASHINGTON, United States - USDA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD ON IDA ELEPHANT PETITION AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS. These comments will assist APHIS in determining whether specific standards are needed in the Animal Welfare Act for captive elephants space and living conditions and what those standards should be. 2006-10-12 - Washington, United States - Africa: U.S. Wildlife Agency Helps International Conservation 2006-09-30 - Washington, United States - US Senate passes the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) S. 3880 2006-09-02 - Washington, United States - USDA seeks input on captive elephants footcare 2006-07-28 - Washington, United States - Habitat Renovation To Give Asian Elephants More Room To Roam Expansion of facilities is part of National Zoo"s elephant conservation program 2006-06-26 - Washington, United States - Elephants pose challenge for zoos 2006-06-20 - WASHINGTON, United States - Asian Elephants To Get New Habitat At National Zoo 2006-03-03 - Washington, United States - National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant 2006-01-27 - Washington, United States - Where Do Zoo Animals Go When They Die? -To the lab, the museum, and the education department. 2006-01-27 - WASHINGTON, United States - Memorial Planned For National Zoo"s Euthanized Elephant 2006-01-26 - WASHINGTON, United States - PETA seeks sanctuary for US National Zoo elephants 2006-01-25 - WASHINGTON, United States - Toni, National Zoos asian elephant euthanized 2006-01-23 - Washington, United States - Elephants Respect Old, Big Females 2005-04-19 - Washington, United States - Man who saved the elephants in Congo is awarded £65,000 prize 2005-04-12 - Washington, United States - Elephants driven to extinction by man, not climate change 2004-10-15 - WASHINGTON, United States - Can fossil ivory save elephants? 2004-10-13 - Washington, United States - Researchers Devise Potent New Tools To Curb Ivory Poaching 2004-10-12 - Washington, United States - Assigning African elephant DNA to geographic region of origin: Applications to the ivory trade 2004-09-29 - Washington, United States - Elephants Leading Long Lives In Professionally Managed Zoos 2004-09-28 - Washington, United States - New scientific methods to identify elephant DNA in ivory 2003-04-10 - Washington, United States - Groups File Suit to Stop Wild African Elephant Import by U.S. Zoos. Action Comes One Week after Federal Agency Questions Validity of Import Permits 2001-12-17 - Washington, United States - Loxodonta cyclotis: How Do You Miss a Whole Elephant Species? 2001-09-18 - Washington, United States - 2001-08-24 - Washington, United States - DNA Tests Show African Elephants Are Two Species 2000-02-19 - WASHINGTON, United States - Toxic Plant May Be Behind Elephant Trunk Disease 1999-02-18 - Washington, United States - Deaths of Zoo Elephants Explained -- New Virus Identified 1998-04-22 - Washington, United States - Ringling circus charged in young elephant"s death 1937-08-23 - Washington, United States - Ringling brothers first elephant: Death of Babe at Washington Zoo 1937

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ELEPHANT NEWS was created on 2001 in Munich, and relaunched in Phnom Penh in 2020, with almost 8 000 links to news articles about elephants on the Internet

A number of articles now also have a cross reference to the elephant database, either for individuals elephants and/or to an article about the location holding

In the right column, you can also see if an elephant has birthday today, and follow the link to more facts!

birth

Blackpool Zoo confirms 2 elephants are expecting babies

2024-04-26 - Blackpool, United Kingdom.

The latest round of pregnancy tests at Blackpool Zoo has revealed that two of its elephants are expecting babies. Mother and daughter Noorjahan and Esha are both pregnant and due to give birth in late...


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Extern Link Read about Noor Jahan in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Blackpool Zoo in the Elephant Database
death

RIP 2 year old “Chi Pich”

2024-04-02 - Sen Monorom, Cambodia.

There was sad news from Mondulkiri Province, with the death of 2 year old elephant “Chi Pich” being announced. Sources from the Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment Organization (ELIE) said ...


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Extern Link Read about Chi Pich in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Elephant Valley Project Cambodia in the Elephant Database

Extern relevant Links (external link which opens in new window):
EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus)


Extern relevant Links (external link which opens in new window):
EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus)
death

Popular tusker Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan dies

2024-03-26 - Kochi, India.

Popular tusker Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan, 55, 55, died at Mangalamkunnu in Palakkad on Monday. The elephant owned by M A Haridasan had been under treatment for the past few months.


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Extern Link Read about Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Mangalamkunnu brothers in the Elephant Database
birth

Pinnawala Orphanage sees birth of 76th calf

2024-03-23 - Kegalle, Sri Lanka.

The 76th elephant calf was born at the Rambukkana Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on March 20.This baby elephant was born to 32-year-old she-elephant Shanthi and 19-year-old Pandu at the Pinnawala Elepha...


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Extern Link Read about Unnamed in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Pinnawala elephant orphanage in the Elephant Database
organisation

SANParks partners with neighbouring nations to benefit communities

2024-03-23 - Pretoria, South Africa.

In the ongoing efforts to curb poaching and snaring of animals within the Zimbabwe and Mozambique borders, South African National Parks (SANParks) is working to create more partnerships with neighbour...


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Extern Link Read about Kruger National Park in the Elephant Database
event

Toledo Zoo Shares the Name of Precious New Baby Elephant

2024-03-15 - , United States.

After weeks of voting and thousands of submissions, the Toledo Zoo has officially chosen the name of their precious baby elephant and we're personally thrilled about the news! Ladies and gentleman, Ki...


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Extern Link Read about Kirk in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Toledo Zoo in the Elephant DatabasePress Release: The Toledo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby elephant, born to African elephant, Renee.Press Release: The Toledo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby elephant, born to African elephant, Renee.
birth

Reid Park Zoo welcomes new baby elephant

2024-03-09 - Tucson, United States.

A baby elephant was born at Reid Park Zoo. The zoo said Semba, the facility’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a 265-pound calf around 3:31 a.m. Friday, March 8. Reid Park Zoo said the calf...


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Extern Link Read about Unnamed in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Reid Park Zoo in the Elephant Database
event

Baby elephant in Copenhagen named after Thai river

2024-03-04 - Copenhagen, Denmark.

A female baby elephant in Copenhagen Zoo has been named Chin after the Tha Chin river in central Thailand. The elephant was born last week in the Danish zoo. The zookeepers, who take care of the young...


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Extern Link Read about Chin in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Copenhagen Zoo in the Elephant Database
conflict

This elephant misses his mahout, authorities seek police help

2024-02-29 - Alappuzha, India.

Evoor Kannan, the elephant known for his murderous rage and with a history of killing two mahouts is in a bad mood these days. He had been gentle under the care of his former Mahout Sharath Parippally...


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Extern Link Read about Evoor Kannan in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Evoor Major Sri Krishnaswamy Temple in the Elephant Database
birth

Third elephant calf born in Beekse Bergen

2024-02-20 - Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands.

African elephant Punda has become the mother of a healthy elephant calf after a 22-month pregnancy. This is the third calf born in the Safari Park Beekse Bergen k in four months. Never before have thr...


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Extern Link Read about Tendai in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Beekse Bergen Safaripark in the Elephant Database
death

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s elephant calf dies at age 2

2024-02-15 - Pittsburgh, United States.

The zoo said Tsuni died Thursday after a sudden, brief battle with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). Her EEHV was detected through routine blood testing on Feb. 8, even though she presente...


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Extern Link Read about Tsuni in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Fairhope Conservation Center in the Elephant Database

Extern relevant Links (external link which opens in new window):
The Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus


Extern relevant Links (external link which opens in new window):
The Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus
death

Farewell to Seoul"s oldest elephant passing at age of 59

2024-02-15 - Seoul, South Korea.

The oldest female elephant in South Korea passed away Tuesday at a zoo in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, at the age of 59, zoo officials said Thursday. The female elephant, named Sakura, had suffered fr...


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Extern Link Read about Sakura Jjang in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Seoul Grand Park Zoo in the Elephant Database
birth

A star is born: Baby elephant debuts

2024-01-30 - Bangalore, India.

The Bannerghatta Biological Park is brimming with excitement as it welcomes a delightful new addition—a baby boy elephant calf. This adorable arrival brings the elephant count in the Bannerghatta zo...


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Extern Link Read about unknown in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Bannerghatta Biological Park Zoo in the Elephant Database
death

Guruvayur Kannan, nine-time winner of elephant race, dies at 62

2024-01-27 - Guruvayur, India.

Elephant Kannan, of the Guruvayur Devaswom Elephant Camp, a nine-time winner of the festival-related elephant race, has passed away. His demise was around 5:30 pm on Saturday. The tusker's age at the ...


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Extern Link Read about Guruvayur Kannan in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Guruvayur Devaswom elephant camp in the Elephant Database
poaching

A baby elephant is found dead

2024-01-27 - Koh Nhek, Cambodia.

Villagers found a baby elephant dead in Koh Nhek district, Mondulkiri province in the middle of the forest​ on January 26, 2024, suspected of being shot. Mondulkiri Provincial department of environm...


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evolution

Discoveries: The Evolutionary Edge of Elephant Trunks and Ancient Giants

2024-01-13 - Beijing, China.

A recent study published in the journal eLife has uncovered new findings on the development of dextrous trunks by indigenous elephants. According to Dr. Shi-Qi Wang, a senior author of the research, t...


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poaching

Alleged poaching kills 46-year-old Sumatran elephant in Riau park

2024-01-13 - Pekanbaru, Indonesia.

The Tesso Nilo National Park in Pelalawan District, Riau Province, again lost one of its Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) after a poacher allegedly killed it for its tusks. The 46-year...


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Extern Link Read about Rahman in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Tesso Nilo WWF-BKSDA Flying Squad camp in the Elephant Database
fossil

Celebration of Elephants: A Must-see New Exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History

2024-01-11 - New York, United States.

In a narrow but sprawling curatorial space at the uptown museum, The Secret World of Elephants, now opened, tells the story of elephant species and their relatives through life-size models, videos, gr...


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Extern Link Read about American Museum of Natural History in the Elephant Database
conflict

Workshop On Handling Human-Wildlife Conflicts

2024-01-11 - Mysore, India.

In response to the escalating threat posed by leopards, elephants and other wild animals in the Mysuru region, specialised task forces have been established to address the situation. A dedicated Leopa...


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death

Los Angeles Zoo mourns loss of 53-year-old Asian elephant Shaunzi

2024-01-04 - Los Angeles, United States.

The Los Angeles Zoo is grieving the death of 53-year-old Asian elephant Shaunzi. Zoo staff observed that Shaunzi was unable to stand up in her exhibit at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, according t...


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Extern Link Read about Shaunzi in the Elephant Database
Extern Link Read about Los Angeles Zoo in the Elephant Database


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Elephant News

ELEPHANT NEWS

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Locations of visitors to this page Warning: Undefined array key "HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE" in /customers/1/c/1/elephant-news.com/httpd.www/inc/left.inc.php on line 71 Editor Dan KoehlGuestbookArchive+1995-2023 Latest headlinesBy countriesBy locationsElephant BooksSubmit NewsContact EditorAbout elephant-news.comLink to us!Links to newssitesTo Elephant FactsHeadlines