Ajani
Ajani (born August 4, 2000 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is a male African Bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), resident of the Birmingham Zoo's Trails of Africa exhibit, where he is exhibited as part of a "bachelor herd" of three males.
Ajani first male elephant calf born in North America as a result of artificial insemination. He was also the first bull elephant ever at that zoo, weighing in at 252 pounds. His name is Nigerian word meaning "he who wins the struggle."
Ajani, as an aging male, was beginning to be pushed out of the female-dominated herd at the Indianapolis Zoo. This social separation is typical of wild elephants, and the further study of "bachelor herds" is part of the Birmingham Zoo's program for elephant conservation. He was moved to Birmingham in May 2011.
Ajani joined Bulwagi, an older male from Disney's Animal Adventure in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and a contemporary, Callee, from the Pittsburgh Zoo. A fourth elephant is also due to arrive from the Dresden Zoo in late summer. Planners have said that the exhibit was designed for as many as 6 to 8 males.
References
- Thornton, William (April 21, 2011) "Birmingham Zoo's elephants get to know each other." Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (May 13, 2011) "Birmingham Zoo elephant herd swells to 3 with arrival of bull from Indianapolis." Birmingham News
External links
- Birmingham Zoo website