ST. LOUIS — After three decades at the Saint Louis Zoo, Raja the elephant will be relocated to help save his species from extinction.
Raja will join the Asian elephants at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where he will have the opportunity to start a new family group with four females and mentor a young male.
The Saint Louis Zoo announced the move Thursday and shared it came upon the recommendation of the Association of Zoo and Aquarium's Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP).
“This news is bittersweet for all of us," Saint Louis Zoo Director Michael Macek said in a statement. "We know Raja is dear to his fans and to the Zoo family and he’ll be missed here, but we know this is for the best for Raja and the survival of this species. Thirty years of birthday celebrations is something that will live on in everyone’s memories.”
The SSP works with accredited institutions to maximize the health, well-being and genetic diversity of Asian elephants in North America, according to the zoo.
Raja's move will likely happen in late 2024 or early 2025, according to the zoo. His move will allow room for another male at River's Edge, and the SSP has provisionally named 15-year-old Samudra from Oregon as a good match for the herd.
“Obviously, nothing is certain when you’re planning this far in advance and with so many variables,” AZA Asian Elephant SSP Coordinator Bob Lee said in a statement. “But Asian elephants are facing a serious threat of extinction right now, and we need to be thinking ahead like this to ensure their survival into the future.”
The zoo invited guests to visit Raja during the remainder of his time in St. Louis.
In addition to Raja, the Saint Louis Zoo is currently home to six other elephants: 52-year-old Pearl, who is Raja's mother; 52-year-old Ellie; 43-year-old Sri; and Raja's daughters, 17-year-old Maliha, 16-year-old Jade and 10-year-old Priya.
Another family member is expected to join the herd in late 2024 or early 2025, the zoo also announced Thursday. Jade is 10 months pregnant with her first calf. The elephant will also be the first born at the Saint Louis Zoo through artificial insemination, which allowed Jade to stay with her family group and contribute to the population's sustainability.
“We’re looking forward to the new calf joining our multi-generational elephant family, and we’re optimistic that everything will go well for Jade,” Curator of Mammals/Ungulates and River’s Edge Tim Thier said in a statement. “Our experienced, professional Animal Care team is providing exceptional care for Jade during her pregnancy, including customized exercise and birth plans."
Throughout her pregnancy, which lasts about 22 months for elephants, Jade will receive regular prenatal checkups from the zoo's Animal Care and Animal Health teams.
The sex of the calf is not yet known, according to the zoo. When it is born, it will weigh between 250 and 350 pounds.
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