BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The Maryland Zoo is transitioning to an all-male herd of African elephants, a move that will send longtime female elephant Felix to another accredited facility and eventually bring additional males to Baltimore.
Zoo officials announced Friday that the decision to create a “bachelor herd” was made in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ African Elephant Species Survival Plan.
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Felix, the zoo’s lone female elephant, is expected to leave Baltimore later next week.
Officials said the death of the zoo’s other female elephant in 2024 left Felix with fewer opportunities for the social interaction that female elephants typically seek.
Female elephants form supportive groups much more than males, who have loose coalitions but frequently spend time on their own,” said Erin Cantwell Grimm, Mammal Curator at Maryland Zoo. “We will all miss her but having social companionship in a female herd is the best thing for Felix’s overall wellbeing.
Felix, who weighs about 7,450 pounds, has lived at the Maryland Zoo for 19 years.
The 43-year-old elephant is the mother of Samson, the zoo’s younger male elephant, who was born in Baltimore in March 2008.
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According to the zoo, male elephants naturally separate from their mothers and birth herds by their mid-teenage years.
Felix is in good health for her age and will be transferred to a facility with extensive experience caring for older elephants, zoo officials said.
Keepers have spent several weeks preparing Felix for the move by acclimating her to a specially designed carrier. Maryland Zoo keepers will accompany her during the trip and remain with her for several days as she adjusts to her new home.
This move is a win-win-win for all involved,” said Zoo President and CEO, Kirby Fowler. “Zoo guests will be able to enjoy an active male herd in Baltimore as we support breeding programs in other accredited facilities. And, Felix will once again be in the company of female elephants.
Zoo officials said bringing additional male elephants to Baltimore will help free up space at other zoos for breeding-age females.
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The plan will also support the Maryland Zoo’s work collecting reproductive samples from male elephants for artificial insemination at accredited facilities with breeding programs.
There is currently no timetable for when additional male elephants will arrive at the Maryland Zoo.
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