10,000-pound elephant Raja arrives at Cincinnati Zoo

A 10,000-pound male elephant from the St. Louis Zoo began living at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Thursday. His name is Raja, and he is now part of the local herd.

The move follows a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP). Christina Gorsuch, the zoo’s director of animal care, said Raja fathered several calves during his time in St. Louis. She expressed hope that he will bond with Anak and Yasmin, the two female elephants currently in Cincinnati.

Yasmin, also known as She-Ra, and Anak have lived with the zoo’s current bull, Sabu, for more than two years. The zoo noted that Sabu has shown almost no interest in breeding with the females during that time.

The SSP’s plan involves more than just Raja’s arrival. It recommends sending a different bull to St. Louis and moving two younger Cincinnati bulls, Sanjay and Kabir, to another AZA institution. That secondary transfer is expected to happen in December.

Visitors can see Raja and the other elephants in the Elephant Trek exhibit. However, the herd may not be visible during periods of social introductions. The zoo operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.