Last month, my wife and I visited the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park (aka the San Diego Safari Park) while entertaining out-of-town company. In the vicinity of the elephant exhibit, I photographed this memorial to Pamela Christine Orsi, who was killed in March 1991 when she became caught between two battling Asian elephants. Orsi had been a zookeeper for six years and had worked with elephants for four years, including three years at the Bronx Zoo. Hers had been the Wild Animal Park’s first animal-related death.

We noted that none of the elephants currently on exhibit there were Asians.

Don said...: Following the completion of the Prebys Elephant Care facility at the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoological Society separated their elephants into two herds. All six of their Asian elephants now reside at the Zoo (including the magnificent male tusker Ranchipur). This facility is for mature elephants only and does not have a breeding program. In addition to ample space for the permanent residents, the facility also has room for transient animals such as the former Cole Bros and Davenport elephants Tina and Jewell, who were housed there prior to their transfer to the Los Angeles Zoo's new elephant enclosure.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park that you visited Eric, houses the Society's African elephant herd. These animals are part of a very successful breeding program. There have been 12 births at the Park, the most recent in September. Nine elephants are currently housed there including the adult bull, the breeding females and assorted calves. The Zoological Society exchanges elephants with other participating zoos in a concerted effort to establish a viable African elephant population in US Zoos.

Circus Fans attending the 2013 CFA National Convention in February will tour the Prebys Elephant Care Center as part of their VIP behind the scenes tour of the World Famous San Diego Zoo.

Don Covington; 14 October, 2012 21:56