Raja, St. Louis Zoo’s 33-year-old elephant, moves to Cincinnati

Raja, the first elephant born at the Saint Louis Zoo, arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Thursday afternoon, October 29. The 33-year-old Asian elephant now lives at Elephant Trek, marking the end of his time in St. Louis.

Raja was born on December 27, 1992, and has resided at the Saint Louis Zoo for his entire life. He is the first elephant to be born at the facility. For over three decades, local families watched him age from calf to adult, become a father, and eventually a grandfather.

The relocation follows a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan. This cooperative breeding program aims to maintain a genetically healthy population of endangered Asian elephants across accredited North American zoos. The move also aligns with the natural behavior of male Asian elephants, who typically leave family herds to live alone or in small groups until they mate.

Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, curator of mammals and ungulates at the Saint Louis Zoo, noted the emotional weight of the departure. “Raja is beloved in St. Louis and leaves a legacy that lives on in our multigenerational elephant family,” she said in a statement. “While we’re sad to see him leave, we’re thrilled that he and Samudra have the chance to start new families and contribute to their endangered species.”

Raja leaves behind a four-generation family at the Saint Louis Zoo. His mother, Pearl, remains at the facility, along with his three daughters, Maliha, Jade, and Priya. His grandson, Jet, was born in November 2024.

The zoo intends to welcome another male Asian elephant in 2027. Samudra, an 18-year-old from the Oregon Zoo, was identified as a suitable match for the St. Louis herd through the same breeding program. Samudra’s arrival will continue the genetic diversity efforts for the local population.