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National
Elephant Center Fact Sheet
- Populations
of wild Asian and African elephants are threatened due to poaching,
habitat destruction and human population encroachment.
- To
protect the future of the species, the National Elephant Center
has been established to support conservation, education and research
programs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
- Over
280 elephants are cared for in 77 North American AZA accredited
facilities, including three females at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk
.
- The
Center was officially launched on Thursday, February 7 and development
will be completed in 2009.
- The
Center will be located on 345 acre site owned by Waste Management
in Okeechobee , Florida .
- The
site is adjacent to property maintained by Waste Management as a
natural area certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council.
- The
Center will support:
- Population
management for AZA accredited facilities, including short- and
long-term holding for bull elephants, short-term holding for
elephants whose exhibits are being renovated, and short-term
residency to test compatibly and new social groupings when herd
dynamics change due to factors such as births or deaths.
- Centralized
training and programs for keepers, veterinarians and others
to answer an increasing need for practical training on the latest
developments in management, nutrition, preventative health care,
enrichment, training, research and breeding.
- Elephant
research opportunities in the areas of reproduction, memory,
communication, visual acuity, nutrition, and disease pathology
and treatment.
- Support
to advance elephant conservation programs with AZA experts,
field scientists, researchers, government organizations and
related nonprofits.
-
Public education about elephants to inspire wildlife conservation,
awareness and action.
- The
National Elephant Center 's Mission :
To be a world leader in elephant population management, conservation,
scientific research, training and elephant care to help ensure a
sustainable future for elephants.
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