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Birmingham Zoo Elephant, Tamani, Moving to Kansas City Zoo

Tamani, one of the Birmingham Zoo’s African elephants will be moving in early October to Kansas City Zoo. The Birmingham Zoo joins the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other zoos around the world in maintaining Species Survival Plan® Programs, cooperative breeding and conservation initiatives. This move allows Tamani to join a herd of six female elephants. “While our females are not in their reproductive years, it is our intent to exhibit some in the future,” commented Randy Wisthoff, CEO/Executive Director at the Kansas City Zoo. “Tamani provides us the opportunity to help with the conservation of the species in a really big way. As part of the Zoos mission, we want to ensure elephants are not just a part of history but a part of each and every person’s future.”

The Birmingham Zoo has also joined with AZA and the Wildlife Conservation Society as a partner on the 96 Elephants Campaign – an effort focused on securing a U.S. moratorium on ivory sales, bolstering protection of African elephants and educating the public about the link between ivory consumption and the elephant poaching crisis. Signatures can make a difference in ceasing the ivory trade and ensuring the continued survival of these animals. To support this important cause and sign the 96 Elephants petition, please visit www.96elephants.org. As part of continued research efforts, the Birmingham Zoo developed an elephant socialization rubric and conducted behavioral observations to determine elephant social dispositions and dominance in an all-male African elephant herd. The Birmingham Zoo also established behavioral research relationships with various universities in states such as Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky.

“Tamani has a great personality and loves to learn new things,” says Trails of Africa Curator, Pat Flora. “He has spent 3 and ½ years at the Birmingham Zoo learning to be a well-adjusted male in the Zoo’s bachelor herd. We are excited for Tamani and the potential breeding program at Kansas City Zoo.”

The Birmingham Zoo would like to invite the community to see Tamani in Trails of Africa before his move in October. Join the Zoo in wishing Tamani the best in his new home. The Birmingham Zoo is excited for Tamani to join the African elephants at the Kansas City Zoo.

For the press release, please click here.