Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Welcomes 2 Asian Elephants

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed two female Asian elephants, Schottzie, 50, and Jati, 39, on Wednesday as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. The elephants transferred from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio. The Florida Highway Patrol escorted the animals during their journey.

Busch Gardens will serve as a holding facility for elephants within the Species Survival Plan, allowing other accredited institutions to focus on breeding efforts. Park staff have begun working with Schottzie and Jati, but visitors will not see the elephants until their public debut in several weeks.

Upon their introduction, the park will emphasize conservation education about Asian elephants, whose wild populations face significant threats. The Species Survival Plan aims to maintain genetic diversity and ensure healthy elephant populations across accredited zoos and aquariums.