News and Stories

Breeding recommendation brings bull elephant Raja to Cincinnati

 A 10,000-pound bull elephant arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden yesterday and is settling into Elephant Trek. Raja came to Cincinnati from Saint Louis Zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP).

“Raja sired several calves during his years at the Saint Louis Zoo, and we’re hoping that he will hit it off with Anak and Yasmin (aka She-Ra), the females here,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch. “He is related to all of the females of breeding age at the Saint Louis Zoo, and breeding with the females in Cincinnati would add much-needed genetic diversity to the North American Asian elephant population.”

Yasmin and Anak’s genetics are underrepresented in this population, and it’s important for them to be in a successful breeding situation. They have been with Cincinnati’s bull elephant Sabu for more than two years, and he has shown almost no interest in breeding with them.

The Asian Elephant SSP is a national cooperative breeding and management program responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy and sustainable population of Asian elephants in North American, accredited zoos. In addition to bringing Raja to Cincinnati, the SSP has recommended moving another bull to Saint Louis and moving young bulls Sanjay and Kabir from Cincinnati to another AZA Zoo. These moves are critical steps forward for conservation efforts to save this endangered species.

“Sanjay and Kabir are maturing and need to start their own journeys to become dads,” said Gorsuch.  “We knew this day would come but will still be sad to see them go.”

These young bulls made history by receiving the world’s first mRNA vaccine against Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) and demonstrating its efficacy. Sanjay and Kabir were vaccinated in 2024 and later tested positive for EEHV. Antibodies kicked in, and they ultimately tested negative and are thriving now.

Raja, age 33, was the first elephant ever born at Saint Louis Zoo and is considered a St. Louis legend.

“Raja is beloved in St. Louis and leaves a legacy that lives on in our multigenerational elephant family,” said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, Curator of Mammals/Ungulates and River’s Edge at the Saint Louis Zoo. “While we’re sad to see him leave, we’re thrilled that he will have the chance to start new families and contribute to his endangered species.”

Asian elephants are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are fewer than 50,000 left in the wild, and they are facing extinction due to habitat loss and poaching.  Learn more about Cincinnati Zoo’s efforts to conserve this species.

Cincinnati Zoo visitors can see Raja and the rest of the herd in Elephant Trek, which recently won Top Honors in the Exhibit Award from AZA.  There may be times when Raja and other herd members will not be visible due to introductions.  Sanjay and Kabir are expected to leave sometime in December, so visit soon to see the playful duo!

The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.  Hours will be extended during PNC Festival of Lights, which opens to the public on November 19.