Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed two female Asian elephants through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Schottzie, 50, and Jati, 39, arrived Wednesday at the Tampa park.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio sent both animals. Florida Highway Patrol provided escort services during transport.
This Species Survival Plan recommendation fits within a broader conservation strategy.
“These elephants come to us AZA’s SSP recommendation. The recommendation comes to us as part of a greater plan,” a spokesperson said in the announcement video shared on social media, according to WTSP. “So, being part of the SSP and AZA organization is you can pull animals to breed or you can be a facility that holds animals, like we are with our elephants to allow other facilities to bring in breeding groups.”
Tampa acts as a holding spot. Other places in the program can then concentrate on breeding.
Staff began working with Schottzie and Jati right away, though visitors won’t spot them until their public debut in several weeks.
When the pair goes on display, guests will discover why conservation matters so much — the park plans to make learning a key piece of what people see and experience.
Wild populations of Asian elephants face serious danger. The Species Survival Plan maintains genetic variety and keeps populations healthy across accredited institutions.