Houston Zoo Welcomes New Asian Elephant from Denver Zoo
The Houston Zoo has welcomed a new addition to their Asian elephant herd. Chuck, a jovial young elephant weighing in at a hefty 9,500 lbs, was born on July 15, 2008 in Ontario's African Lion Safari, He is relocating to Houston from the Denver Zoo upon recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Asian elephant Species Survival Plan® (SSP).
After spending six years with the all-bachelor herd of Asian elephants in Denver, Chuck is geared up for a change of scenery. In Houston, he will join a multi-generational herd consisting of Thailand (58), Tucker (19), and Nelson (4). He'll also have the chance to interact with the females next door in the cow yard.
Visitors to the zoo will soon be able to spot Chuck exploring the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat area. Known for his engaging personality, Chuck is a social butterfly of the elephant world, known to express anxiety when he perceives that other elephants might be leaving him behind. High energy, intelligent, and affectionate, he is expected to quickly settle into his new environment, with the dedicated help of Houston Zoo’s animal care team.
Chuck, the newest addition to the Houston Zoo's Asian elephants herd. (Photo: Houston Zoo)By visiting Chuck, visitors are contributing to the protection of bull Asian elephants in the wild, as a fraction of every zoo admission fee and membership goes towards protecting approximately 250 wild elephants in Asia. The Houston Zoo is also engaged in providing essential equipment, training, and support to elephant conservationists in Malaysia, working to shield elephants in areas where palm oil, a common ingredient in items like soap and snack foods, is cultivated.
Additionally, the Zoo purchases trees for replanting in palm oil plantations in Borneo, thereby creating forested paths for wildlife. In doing so, the Houston Zoo, assisted by its visitors, has helped in the replanting of over 300,000 trees in Borneo, aiding in the survival and conservation of Asian elephants in the wild.
Plan your trip to the Houston Zoo today and give Chuck a friendly, warm welcome.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
