New Tyler Zoo Arrivals

TYLER – Two African elephants from San Diego, California, are now living at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo. They come from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They are both 8 years old. Such a big transfer takes a lot of time and effort. It has taken over two years to plan the transfer. The move to Tyler came as a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. All AZA-accredited facilities work together to manage populations, participate in breeding programs, and promote conservation and education goals. Zoo officials say the elephants have made the transition even quicker than expected.

After a brief quarantine period at their new facility, they were introduced to Tonya, the 42-year-old female elephant that’s been a long-time favorite of the Caldwell Zoo. The elephants are interacting peacefully and show a real interest in one another. Poaching is reducing the population of these elephants every day in Africa. Caldwell Zoo Executive Director Hayes Caldwell says that zoos are working hard to provide great habitats and the best of care so that the public can learn about and appreciate the need to protect elephants in the wild.