ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The first elephant ever born at the Saint Louis Zoo will soon move on from St. Louis.
Raja, an Asian Elephant who born on Dec. 27, 1992, is set for a move to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in an effort to help save the species from extinction.
The move was recommended by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) and it is likely to take place in late 2024 or early 2025.
“This news is bittersweet for all of us. We know Raja is dear to his fans and to the Zoo family and he’ll be missed here, but we know this is for the best for Raja and the survival of this species,” said Michael Macek, Saint Louis Zoo Director. “Thirty years of birthday celebrations is something that will live on in everyone’s memories.”
Taking Raja's place at the zoo will be Samudra, a 15-year-old from Oregon.
"Samudra has reached the age where wild male elephants naturally move away from the herd they were raised in,” said Bob Lee, AZA Asian Elephant SSP Coordinator. “The timing could be right for him, and this would be an amazing opportunity for Samudra to meet and mingle with a different female herd.”
Raja will leave the Zoo with has three daughters, including Jada, his second daughter. Jada, who is 17, is 10 months pregnant with her first calf and due to give birth in late 2024 or early 2025.
An elephant pregnancy can lasts about 22 months and a newborn weighs about 250-350 pounds. Jade receives regular prenatal health checkups by the Zoo’s Animal Care and Animal Health teams. At this time, the sex of the calf is unknown.