SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo is sending its youngest adult Asian elephant, 22-year-old Sri (pronounced “see”), on a breeding loan to St. Louis Zoo. The 10-year loan is in response to an urgent call by the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) to help rescue the declining North American population of the endangered species. Sri will head for St. Louis on Tuesday, July 9, 2002.

Recent population models with current reproductive and mortality rates predict the number of Asian elephants on the continent will drop to fewer than 20 individuals in 50 years. An historically, high infant mortality rate of nearly 30%, a staggering low birth rate, an aging population, a scant number of breeding male elephants (bulls) and the scarcity of young, breeding-age female elephants (cows) collectively impose a serious dilemma on the species’ sustainability.

“As a highly respected leader in wildlife conservation, Woodland Park has over the past decade been actively involved in contributing to the breeding efforts of Asian elephants,” notes zoo Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke. “Sri’s breeding loan is a continuation of our commitment to the SSP,” adds Bohmke. In 1998, the zoo sent Chai (rhymes with “shy”) on a breeding loan to Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri and, two years later, celebrated the birth of Chai’s calf, Hansa (HUN-suh), at Woodland Park.

With strong scientific evidence pointing to a higher successful birth rate of cows breeding by age 25, “Sri is fast approaching the age limit and we need to harness this remaining window of opportunity by sending her on a breeding loan now,” explains Bohmke. Neither Sri nor her intended mate, 10-year-old Raja, has any offspring. “Sri will have a chance to start her own family and her infusion of genes into the North American genetic pool will be highly valuable for the species.”

The Asian Elephant SSP is under the auspices of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Last year, only four Asian elephants were born and, this year, there aren’t any cows currently pregnant in any AZA zoo. To avoid a demographically extinct population, AZA zoos need to reach a minimum reproductive level of nine births a year within eight years. AZA is currently averaging less than three a year.

Sri will travel to Missouri in a climate-controlled semitrailer. Two Woodland Park Zoo elephant keepers will spend a week with Sri at St. Louis to ease the elephant’s transition to a new facility and herd. “St. Louis Zoo has an excellent elephant management program and state-of-the-art facilities,” notes Bret Sellers, an animal collections manager at Woodland Park Zoo. “Their highly experienced staff will help ensure Sri a smooth socialization with other female members of her new herd,” adds Sellers.

The long-term breeding loan means Sri will give birth and raise her calf at St. Louis Zoo. SSP guidelines require calves and mothers to remain together for a minimum of three years. Sri and her calf will continue to serve as significant ambassadors to their wild counterparts. At the turn of the 20th century, more than 100,000 elephants roamed their native habitat. Today, only 35,000 remain in scattered pockets in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, Indonesia and Vietnam. Decades of war, an explosive human population growth, and intensive agriculture continue to shrink their once abundant territories, leaving them prone to poaching and starvation. Consequently, the gene pool for future generations of elephants is in a dire situation.

In addition to Sri, Woodland Park Zoo’s herd is entirely female and consists of: 35-year-old Asian, Bamboo; sole African member, 33-year-old Watoto (wah-TOE-toe); 23-year-old Asian, Chai; and 1_-year-old Hansa, the calf of Chai.

The Asian Elephant SSP is among 35 SSPs that Woodland Park Zoo participates in, including the Sumatran tiger, Aruba Island rattlesnake, red-crowned crane and orangutan. The AZA’s cooperative breeding programs work to ensure genetic diversity and demographic stability in North American zoos and aquariums. Additionally, SSPs involve a variety of other collaborative conservation activities such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects. AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation, with more than 205 zoos and aquariums as members.