Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph (September 7, 2003)

Chico Joins Caldwell Zoo

One of Tyler's newest residents takes up quite a bit of space.

Chico, Caldwell Zoo's not-so-small 13,000-pound African elephant, arrived recently from the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association Species Survival Plan recommended the move of this 38-year-old elephant from San Diego, where he spent 26 years and sired five calves.

Chico joins the Caldwell Zoo's four female African elephants and will be on display after completing a standard 30-day quarantine period.

Zoo officials are hoping to introduce him to thousands of visitors during ZooFest on Oct. 4-5.

"He was a little timid at first, but now he's out walking around," said Executive Director Hayes Caldwell.

While at the zoo, Chico's daily diet will include 20 quarts of beet pulp mixed with 24 quarts of water, 15 pounds of varied fresh vegetables and two bales of hay.

"The Caldwell Zoo participates in a number of AZA Species Survival Plans," Caldwell said. "These cooperative breeding programs are designed to conserve and propagate both endangered and threatened species."

Kimbo, an Asian elephant, inaugurated the zoo's cooperative breeding program for endangered species in the mid-1980s when she was loaned to the Fort Worth Zoo for its Asian elephant-breeding program. At the same time, Caldwell Zoo received an African elephant, Tonya, on loan from the St. Louis Zoo.

"It is difficult for one zoo to breed both Asian and African elephants," Caldwell said. "By working together, zoos can accomplish much more and protect a wider variety of endangered and threatened species."

The zoo has successfully bred animals including cheetahs, giraffes, black rhinos, African lions and Chilean flamingos.

Jumbe, a black rhino, was born at the zoo on Jan. 6.

He is the fifth black rhino to be born at Caldwell Zoo. His mother, Christa, was on loan from the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Caldwell said the active breeding program is a key component of the Caldwell Zoo philosophy, which is dedicated to the preservation of the world's wildlife and the enrichment of the lives of zoo visitors, especially children.

Used with permission, Tyler Morning Telegraph