After a decade at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Msholo the African elephant has a new home.

Msholo (mi-SHOW-low) is now housed at the Zambezi Elephant Center at Zoo Atlanta, where he arrived Wednesday. Zoo Atlanta’s two female African elephants, Kelly and Tara, arrived June 16. The move is meant to partly benefit the species, but also to give the 30-year-old male some new companions.

All three will be visible to the public at Zoo Atlanta’s new African Savanna habitat, which opens Aug. 8. The center and habitat can house seven elephants. The area is three times the size of the older area and includes pachydermic amenities such as a pond and two waterfalls.

Moving an 11,000-pound elephant is a logistical feat not undertaken lightly.


“In this case the move took a couple of days and a large team of people,” San Diego Zoo spokeswoman Christina Simmons said by email. Beforehand, keepers worked with Msholo to prepare him for things he would experience with the move, such as entering a crate.

The transfer was done in accordance with a Species Survival Plan adhered to by zoos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, (AZA) Simmons said.

“The decision is made by reviewing the natural history of the species, individual history of the animal, current and potential destination facilities,” Simmons said. “Adult male African elephants generally move between social groups, spending a large amount of time on their own, with other males or with female elephant herds.”

Msholo was brought to the United States from Swaziland in 2003, part of a group of elephants rescued from a planned culling. He was first sent to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. In 2009 he was brought to the Safari Park, with the hope he would breed with female African elephants there, Simmons said.


“Unfortunately after 10 years here he has never fathered offspring,” Simmons said. “He has, however, served an important role in our herd, by providing a dominant male figure that has helped teach our young males as they have grown up, helping them develop into the well-behaved young men they have become.”

Meanwhile at Zoo Atlanta, the upgraded habitat provides favorable terrain for breeding — and new companions. The females, Kelly and Tara,are both 36 years old. They arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 1986 and are closely bonded, spokeswoman Rachel Davis said by email.

Elephants can live up to 60 or 70 years in the wild. Females stop bearing calves around the age of 50. That means there’s plenty of time for Msholo, Kelly, and Tara to contribute to the survival of their species.

Zoo Atlanta’s new African Savanna is part of a “major transformation of the Zoo,” Davis said.


“We’ve talked to many zoos with elephants since the project became a reality,” she added, “and are working with the AZA Elephant SSP and other zoological organizations with elephants to utilize our new facility to enhance both elephant care and sustainability.”