Zoo Hopes Rival Will Inspire Elephant

DALLAS – Zoo officials have decided a little competition may inspire a male Asian elephant to get into the mating mood. Fort Worth Zoo’s lone Asian bull elephant, Groucho, hasn’t sired a calf for six years. So zoo officials hope that bringing in another male elephant will spark a flame between Groucho and the female pachyderms.

“A little competition has been proven to work in the rhino population as well,” said Michael Fouraker, the zoo’s executive director. “We just need Groucho to get up to speed.”

Zoo officials have not yet chosen the new suitor, but will choose one of two elephants from Florida’s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation.

One of the zoo’s female elephants, Rasha, will pick her favorite from photos Wednesday. And zoo patrons can also vote for either Casey or Rajah at http://www.fortworthzoo.com.

The choice will be announced at the end of the summer and arrive at the zoo in the fall.

Zoo officials hope the two bulls will pair up with the five females and create some baby elephants.

Females have a 22-month gestation period and nurse their young for a couple of years. So elephants can give birth about once every four years.

“It’s a long time to wait,” Fouraker said, “but we’re very confident it will happen.”

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Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com

and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com