Photo: Oregon Zoo
He’s made a big splash in Oregon — quite a few big splashes in fact — but even bigger things are in store for Asian elephant Samudra. The 18-year-old pachyderm will relocate to the Saint Louis Zoo next year as part of a concerted effort to promote strong social groups within accredited zoos and help secure a long-term future for one of the world’s most vulnerable species.
“As hard as it will be for us to say goodbye, we know this is the right thing for Samudra,” said Steve Lefave, who oversees the Oregon Zoo’s elephant area. “Wild elephant herds are made up of related females and their offspring. Young males naturally move away from the herd they were raised in during their teen years. Samudra has reached that point, and he needs this opportunity to mingle freely with a different herd.”
An exact departure date has not been determined, but Samudra fans will have plenty of time to visit before he leaves. Lefave expects the elephant will stay at the Oregon Zoo at least until next spring.
“This is something we’ve been working toward and talking about for several years, and it’s great to know we can finally make it happen,” Lefave said. “The Saint Louis Zoo has a terrific elephant area and an expert animal-care team. It will be a great place for Samudra to get acquainted with a new herd.”
The St. Louis elephant habitat is part of the zoo’s immersive River’s Edge area, a lushly planted landscape with waterfalls, streams and large pools.
“Knowing how much Samudra loves the water, I think he’s really going to like it there,” Lefave said. “He’ll have access to a shallow splash pad as well as a deep pool where he can fully submerge and swim the length of the habitat. There are plenty of opportunities for him to play, swim and splash around.”
Eventually, caregivers hope the young male hits it off with members of the female herd in St. Louis — perhaps adding to the population of their endangered species.
Source: Oregon Zoo