Auckland Zoo loses its beloved elephants Burma and Anjalee

Auckland Zoo has made the “heartbreaking decision” to relocate its two female elephants to a zoo abroad.

Burma and Anjalee have been at the zoo since it began trying to build a “sustainable family herd of elephants.” However, challenges beyond the zoo’s control over the past five years mean they must move on, says Auckland Zoo Director Kevin Burley.

“Over the past five years, changing circumstances beyond our control mean that we are no longer in a position to give them the long-term future they need.

An additional female elephant from Sri Lanka’s Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was expected shortly after Anjalee’s arrival in 2015, but that had not progressed, and she remained in Sri Lanka, Burley said.

Burma came to the zoo in 1990.

On top of that, five artificial insemination attempts were made, in collaboration with the world’s leading reproductive experts, with Anjalee between 2017 and 2019, however none were successful.

“Now, a series of insurmountable challenges mean that no more AI attempts are currently possible here in New Zealand.”

Anjalee was now 14 years old, and for her future health and well-being, the zoo wanted to do everything possible to protect her ability to reproduce.

“Now 14, she needs to get pregnant early to avoid the long-term reproductive health problems female elephants can face if they don’t reproduce.

“Having exhausted all current possibilities to raise her here at Auckland Zoo, we will now work to move her to another accredited zoo program where she can live in a multi-generational family herd.

“There you will be able to mate naturally with a bull elephant and have the best possible chance of finally having your own baby elephant,” Burley said.

Exactly where he will go was not yet known, however, as the zoo is currently working with colleagues at the international zoo to ensure that he finds the “best possible home abroad that meets Anjalee and Burma’s respective needs for their long-term well-being. term and future security “. .