Nashville Zoo African Elephant Savannah Adrienne Broussard Introduction

Nashville Zoo African Elephant Savannah Adrienne Broussard

Introduction - Houston Zoo “Natural Encounters” Visit - Rainforest Canopy - Artificial Plants - Looking for an actual “natural encounter” - Found African Elephant Savannah

Nashville Zoo History p p 1996 move to 200 -acre site Grassmere 15 year master plan to make one of the largest zoos in the country Natural habitats- Gibbon Islands, Bamboo Trail, Meerkat Habitat Newest addition – African Elephant Savannah From http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/zoocards. htm

Mission Statement p Zoo- “Promoting environmental and species conservation through education and recreation” p Elephant habitat- “To create, for guests, the sensation of feeling transported to Africa” From http: //www. pbase. com/deadelvis/image/21901763

Current Funding The zoo is a non-profit organization p Admission prices, donations, and grants support exhibits p Cal Turner Family Foundation African Elephant Savannah Fund p Elephant paintings p From http: //www. chiangmai-chiangrai. com/elephant_art. html From http: //www. elephants. com/tarra. htm

Organizational Structure Zoo President General Curator Assistant Curator Elephant Manager Keepers Other Lead Keepers

Zoo Map From http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/master_plan. htm

Elephant Information p p p From http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/elephants. htm p p Loxodonta africana, largest terrestrial animal Live in scattered herds throughout Africa, south of the Sahara desert Deep forests, marshlands, open savannahs, thornbrush, and semidesert grasslands Up to 11 feet tall, 5 -7 tons Distinguished by large fanlike ears

“Pachyderm” Thick-skinned p Everywhere except inner ear, mouth, and anus p Sparsely covered with bristly hair, babies have more p Gray skin, may appear reddish brown due to mudholing p From http: //www. birdingamerica. com/DC/elephant. htm

Eating Habits Herbivores- wild grasses, trees, bark, shrubs, fruits, soils for minerals p Captivity- pellet supplement, fruit and vegetable treats, “wild diet” p Consume up to 500 pounds of food a day p Drink 40 gallons of water at a time p From http: //www. shunya. net/Pictures/Animals/Elephants. htm

Social Habits p p From http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/elephants. htm Strong family ties Herds Mothers and calves run by a related matriarch, males live in bachelor herds Grieve over death of a herd member, bury with twigs, branches and leaves Care for sick by bringing food and water

Endangerment p p p Human encroachment of habitat Poaching for ivory- usually older elephants, loss of matriarch confuses herd, orphans rarely survive Black market Kenya- numbers dropped from 150, 000 to 30, 000 in the last 10 years Currently 600, 000 in Africa From http: //congogorillaforest. com/congoconservationchoices/congoelephant

Species Survival Program (SSP) American Zoo and Aquarium Association p Began 1981, manages breeding to maintain a stable, genetically diverse captive population p Conservation activities research, public education, reintroduction, field projects p 116 species involved p

Elephant SSP p p Began August 1990 122 cows, 13 bulls Nashville Zoo chosen for artificial insemination research Kiba, cow at the zoo, ideal age and temperament From http: //www. wildlife-pictures-online. com/image-files/xeptb 5. jpg

African Elephant Savannah History p p Construction began in August of 2003 by Solomon Builders $3. 5 million Opened April 9, 2005 Activities included elephant tattoos, coloryour-own buttons, African drum and dance group, educational booths, elephant photo opportunities, elephant art posters From http: //www. pbase. com/deadelvis/image/43548302

Habitat p p p 3 acres resembling African savannah to house the zoo’s 3 female elephants. Hadari, Sukari, and Kiba Several viewing points along a trail, 150, 000 gallon wading pool, mudhole, barn, tall trees and extensive landscaping Safari “camps” From http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/master_plan. htm

Exhibit From http: //www. aza. org/Publications/2005/05/Exhibits. May 05. pdf

Daily Schedule p p p p p 6: 30 am- morning grain, barn cleaned and hosed 6: 50 am- Brisk walk for 1 mile After walk- individually bathed Released into yard, weather permitting, forage, swim, wallow, socialize, rest Throughout the day, removed one at a time for tub work, harness work, and painting, leg work is done in the yard 4: 00 pm- afternoon grain in the yard, keeper questions 6: 00 pm- 1 mile walk 6: 30 pm- Put up in barn 9: 00 pm- Water refilled, droppings removed, given hay for the night

Landscaping p p 7000 plants, 5000 ornamental grasses Resemble African species- for example, Honey Locust used in place of Acacia Honey Locust From http: //davesgarden. com/pf/showimage/12541/#42105 Acacia From http: //www. wildwatch. com/resources/plants/acacias. asp

Grasses Miscanthus, Arundo, Pampas p Grown in special substrate p n n p Encourage deep rooting systems Reduce trampling from elephants Special soil mix also used to reduce grass compaction Pampas Miscanthus From http: //bonsaibc. ca/peninsula/Miscanthus_Morning_light_O. -2__-2002. JPG From http: //www. thegardenhelper. com/pampaspix. html

Safari Camps Along viewing trail, educational tool p Resemble research camps in Africa p n Contain tents and basic supplies Each features a different topic focusing on elephant conservation and the elephants relationships with African cultures p Also carts with docents armed with biofacts p Keeper chats, foot trimming and bathing demonstrations p

Future Funding p American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s Conservation Endowment Fund n n n Mission Statement- “We envision a world where all people respect, value, and conserve animals and nature” Goals: Advancement of zoos and aquariums in conservation, education, science, and recreation, financial support for AZA members Zoo involvement in SSP, education of public about research and conservation, natural habitat

Future Funding contd. p The Conservation and Research Small Grants Program of the Cleveland Zoological Society n n n Mission Statement- “To improve the future for wildlife by exhibiting animals and plants and providing education and conservation programs which encourage respect and stewardship of the natural world and a better understanding of our place within it” Goals: support conservation and research initiatives involving animals and their habitat, and educational/cultural activities that involve animals Natural habitat construction, SSP, public education, animal enrichment

Evaluation Process Currently no formal evaluation method p Elephant Perspective: Elephant managers have had 25 years experience, evaluate on a daily basis p Zoo Visitor Perspective: 7% increase in visitors p From http: //www. elephants. com/physicians. htm

Recommendations Bring in outside experts for an outside opinion p Landscaping expert evaluate monthly p Include African savannah as an educational topic p Maintenance costs p n n Pro- Public viewing of animals in natural environment Con- Thousands of dollars in upkeep

Summary p p p p Popularity of “natural habitats” Provide animal enrichment Bring in more visitors Nashville Zoo rewarded for Elephant Savannah by involvement in SSP No formal evaluation Elephant biology, research, conservation addressed Landscape recognition Overall, positive impact on elephants and people From http: //www. shunya. net/Pictures/Tanzania/Serengeti/Elephant 22. jpg

References p p p p p African Elephants. (2005). Retrieved 10/13/2005 from http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/elephants. htm. American Zoo and Aquarium Association Conservation Endowment Fund. (2005). Retrieved 10/05/2005 from http: //www. aza. org/Con. Science/What. Is. CEF/. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Grants. (2005). Retrieved 10/05/2005 from http: //www. clemetzoo. com/conservation/grants. asp#smallgrants Elephant Conservation (2005). Retrieved 10/13/2005 from http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/elephants 2. htm. Nashville Zoo Elephant Habitat. (2005). Retrieve 10/13/2005 from http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/elephant_habitat. htm. Nashville Zoo Master Plan. (2005). Retrieved 10/19/2005 from http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/master_plan. htm Sarles, Judy. Elephant Exhibit Opening Draws 6, 600+ to Nashville Zoo. (2005, April 11). Retrieved 10/15/2005 from http: //nashville. bizjournals. com/nashville/stories/2005/04/11/daily 6. html Species Survival Plan. (2005). Retrieved 10/14/2005 from http: //www. nashvillezoo. org/ssp. htm.

Any Questions? From http: //www. shunya. net/Pictures/Tanzania/Selous/Elephant 03. jpg