AZA Elephant Strategy

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July Elephant Strategy Update

  • 1.  July Elephant Strategy Update

    Posted 25 days ago
    Dear Colleagues,
    I am excited to share the latest updates on progress in implementing the AZA Elephant Strategy. Your active participation and contributions continue to drive these initiatives forward, shaping the future of elephant care and management within our community
    Long-Range Elephant Strategic Plan
    AZA has introduced a new Accreditation Standard, E.7.4, requiring all elephant-holding facilities to develop a long-range strategic plan. Two resource guides are available in the Accreditation Resource Center to assist in developing these plans:
    • The "Guide to Creating a Long-Range Elephant Strategic Plan Under Standard E.7.4"
    explains the standard's scope, required elements, and reporting process.
    • The "Long-Range Elephant Strategic Planning Guide" is an optional tool to help create or update plans for facilities with elephants or planning to add them within 5–10 years. Institutions may use any part of this guide to help meet Standard E.7.4.
    Webinar for Long-Range Planning
    A webinar has been organized to walk participants through what Standard E.7.4 requires, why institutional planning matters, and how to get started. Attendees will leave with a clear sense of expectations, what's evaluated during accreditation inspection, and practical steps for building a plan.
    Title: Planning for the Future: Developing Your Institutional Long-Range Elephant Strategic Plan
    Date: Monday, August 3rd, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM EDT
     
    Elephant SSP Updates African Elephant SSP:
    • Breeding recommendations: Fulfillment rates increased: 3% (2014, n=29) → 5% (2017,
    n=37) → 65% (2020, n=31) → 72% (2023, n=25); trend expected to continue in 2026.
    • Transfer recommendations: Fluctuating but recent years strong: 33% (2014, n=9) →
    25% (2017, n=4) → 100% (2020, n=3) → 93% (2023, n=14).
    • Births/Pregnancies:11 births (2017–2020) → 10 births (2020–2023) → 27 births (2023–
    2025) → up to 8 pregnancies in 2026.
    • Paradigm shift: Most facilities are now engaging SSP on transfers/breeding decisions, prioritizing population-level sustainability over individual facility preference.
    • Looking ahead: Need continued EEHV vaccine support (1A strain success, no African strain option yet) and facility space/expansion for a growing population, especially males.

    Asian Elephant SSP:
    • Breeding recommendations: Fulfillment rates have increased: 17% (2014, n=30) → 41% (2017, n=17) → 63% (2020, n=19) → 62% (2023, n=16); 2026 plan recommends 22 breeding pairs across 10 facilities.
    • Transfer recommendations: 33% (2014, n=3) → 100% (2017, n=3) → (2020, n=0) →
    81% (2023, n=16) → 2026 BTP recommends 11 transfers.
    • Births/Pregnancies: 11 births (2023-2026); 3 unconfirmed pregnancies.
    • Paradigm shift: SSP is now consulted on all move decisions -- a marked improvement since the implementation of the AZA Elephant Strategy.
    • Looking ahead: A high number of recent calves may lower calving interval in this plan as several females are currently raising young.
     
    Your continued support and involvement are vital as we work toward successful implementation of the AZA Elephant Strategy. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the AZA elephant population!
    Best regards,
    Lisa New
    Elephant Strategy Implementation Steering Committee Member

    Lisa New

    Chief Executive Officer

     469.554.7510

     lisa.new@dallaszoo.com