News and Stories

August is Asian elephant awareness month and a great time to talk about Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s efforts to save this species. Partnering with Conservation Initiatives (CI) in India and Bring the Elephant Home (BTEH) in Thailand, the Zoo is making strides to protect and sustain these majestic giants in their natural habitats.

The Plight of the Asian Elephant 

Asian elephants are facing an array of threats across their range. Habitat fragmentation is one of the most pressing issues, as expanding human settlements encroach on traditional migration routes. This leads to isolated elephant groups and a surge in human-elephant conflicts. Deforestation and land encroachment exacerbate the situation, eroding the historical tolerance local communities once had for these animals. The result is an increasingly hostile environment for elephants, necessitating innovative conservation strategies.

Human-Elephant Coexistence 

Cincinnati Zoo’s Human-Elephant Coexistence strategy is designed to address these challenges head-on. By collaborating with grassroots organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the AZA SAFE Elephant Program, the Zoo aims to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.

Central to this strategy is the development of enduring partnerships with established Asian organizations like CI and BTEH. These alliances are pioneering novel approaches that complement existing conservation efforts while promoting education, training, and research across various disciplines. The ultimate goal is to enhance the tolerance between people and elephants by integrating biology, sociology, politics, and culture into contemporary conservation practices.

Partnership with Conservation Initiatives (CI) in India 

In India, Cincinnati Zoo has partnered with Conservation Initiatives (CI) to engage community youth in positive interactions with elephants through an educational video game called “Heroes of Elephantia.” This initiative aims to reshape the way young people perceive elephants by providing them with a better understanding of elephant behavior and habitats. The game teaches positive ways to interact with elephants, helping to unlearn harmful behaviors such as chasing and harassing them. The game will be introduced alongside awareness programs in schools and local tournaments. This initiative is expected to instil a deeper understanding and appreciation for elephants among the youth, fostering a generation that values coexistence.

Partnership with Bring the Elephant Home (BTEH) in Thailand 

In Thailand, Cincinnati Zoo’s collaboration with Bring the Elephant Home (BTEH) focuses on creating a community-based elephant monitoring and identification program that will facilitate human-elephant coexistence by leveraging advanced technologies and mobilizing communities. By adopting a community-based approach, the project will alleviate resource pressure on elephant conservation organizations and engage the communities who coexist with Asian elephants. This project aims to increase the level of tolerance towards elephants, ensuring that communities feel safer and more empathetic towards elephants.

A Vision for the Future 

Cincinnati Zoo’s conservation efforts are grounded in the belief that elephants are not nuisances but valuable assets to local communities. Through innovative collaborations, the Zoo aspires to create a world where elephants are cherished and protected. By changing perceptions, monitoring populations, ensuring landscape connectivity, and developing high standards of veterinary care and management for animals in their care, the Zoo and its partners are fostering a sustainable future for Asian elephant conservation.