Planckendael Zoo at Muizen, near Mechelen (Antwerp Province) has a new bull elephant. 31-year-old Upali has come to Planckendael from a zoo in France. He takes the place of Planckendael’s current bull elephant Kanvar. Kanvar is leaving the zoo as he hasn’t mated with the female elephants that live there, Kai-Mook and May Tagu. It is important that the cow elephants become pregnant soon if they are not to become infertile.
Planckendael Zoo’s spokeswoman Amanda Wielemans told VRT News that "The female elephants kave known the current male since he was a young bull. They see him more like the boy from next door rather than as a sexy man with whom they wish to mate. We have long given him the opportunity to prove himself because genetically speaking he is a very good match with the lady elephants”.
“Kanvar is fertile and will be given another chance with a group of elephants at a zoo in Germany. Hopefully, he will be able to make an impression there”
Ms Wielemans adds that it is important that the female elephants at Planckendael become pregnant soon “If elephants do not conceive for a long period of time, they may become infertile. It has been eight years since Kai-Mook and May Tagu had babies, so it is time for them to conceive again”.
The new elephant, 31-year-old Upali, has already arrived at Planckendael.
“He was selected on the basis of his genes; like Kanvar, he is a perfect match for Kai-Mook and May Tagu. Upali is also an experienced bull, having already sired 14 calves. He knows what is expected of him, so we expect him to settle into the herd quite quickly”.
“Upali has explored the outdoor enclosure and was soon joined by Kai-Mook and May Tagu. They were very impressed by the male. There has already been contact and even an attempt at mating, so these are all good signs”, Ms Wielemans concludes.