Zoo Miami's New Asian Elephant Makes VIP Entrance

MIAMI, FL — Zoo Miami's newest resident arrived via police escort this week. The African elephant calf named "Ongard" came all the way from Australia. The pachyderm was accompanied by staff members from Zoo Victoria, Zoo Miami and the San Diego Zoo, which helped arrange the transfer.

"After over 24 hours of transport and flying half way around the world on a chartered jet, 'Ongard,' a 7-year-old, 6,300-pound male Asian elephant, accompanied by staff members from Zoos Victoria in Australia, the San Diego Zoo and Zoo Miami, has safely arrived," Zoo Miami declared Wednesday on its Facebook Page.

"Complete with a police escort, the custom truck and crate pulled into Zoo Miami shortly after midnight yesterday morning with a team from several institutions working together to coordinate the unloading, which went very smoothly," zoo officials added.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals opposed the transfer of Ongard, saying that the animal had spent most of its life near its parents and siblings.

"Severing these social bonds and subjecting him to the trauma of transatlantic travel is a surefire recipe for stress, aggression, chronic disease, and a shortened life for him," asserted PETA's Rachel Mathews. "Research has proved that elephants suffer greatly in captivity, and while zoos worldwide are closing their elephant exhibits, Zoo Miami should not be using this calf to try to breed yet another generation of miserable, captive elephants."

Ongard, who was born on Sept. 10, 2010, is the first male elephant born in the history of the Melbourne Zoo. He is also the first elephant to ever leave Australia.

"Through a breeding loan agreement, he is owned by the San Diego Zoo Global and together with Zoo Miami, the three institutions have been working for months to carefully plan this historic transport," according to Miami zoo officials.

"The reason for his move to the United States is that he comes from a genetic line that is unrepresented anywhere in North America and is therefore incredibly valuable to the captive breeding program for this endangered species," Miami zoo officials explained.

Officials added that Ongard is considered to be on a "breeding loan"from San Diego Zoo Global.

"Zoo Miami was chosen to be his new home because of Zoo Miami’s commitment to the care of elephants, the favorable South Florida climate, and the amount of land it is able to dedicate to providing a home for elephants," according to zoo officials. "Zoo Miami has spent nearly half a million dollars in new renovations to its Asian elephant exhibit in preparation for Ongard’s arrival."

Officials added that Zoo Miami does not presently have any female Asian elephants of breeding age for Ongard, however, they hope to find a suitable mate in the future.

"In the meantime, his genetic material can be introduced into the North American population through artificial insemination," officials explained.

Ongard was introduced to his new holding yard where he will be quarantined for several weeks before being introduced to the main exhibit yard.

"His keepers, who traveled with him from Australia, will remain in Miami until May 22nd to slowly introduce Ongard to the Zoo Miami team and help insure a smooth transition," officials said.

Ongard is one of fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the world. "With an ever-growing threat of habitat loss, human conflict and poaching, there is a serious concern that we may lose this iconic species in the wild within the next generation.," Miami officials added. "Zoo Miami is committed to working with the The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Asian elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) to help insure the survival of these majestic animals for generations to come."

Zoo Miami welcomes "Ongard" to the Magic City. Photo courtesy Zoo Miami.