Pittsburgh Zoo and Conservation Center Welcome New Elephant Residents

Strategically Planned Elephant Transfers Focus on Well-being of Animals

July 2, 2026

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and the International Conservation Center in Somerset, PA, recently welcomed new elephant residents through a series of carefully planned moves to prioritize the unique needs and well-being of each animal and enhance herd dynamics.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s mother-daughter pair, 44-year-old Savanna and 17-year-old Angeline, have transferred to a new location at the Conservation Center. Both facilities have also welcomed an additional elephant: 42-year-old African elephants Carole and Jeannot. Male Jeannot arrived at the Conservation Center, while Carole has joined the Zoo’s 47-year-old matriarch elephant Natasha (Tash, pictured on this page) in Pittsburgh.

This strategically planned series of moves, prepared in collaboration with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and leading wildlife experts, continues a long-term plan set into motion last fall when Zoo residents Zuri and Victoria relocated to the Conservation Center. These moves were planned to pair like-minded animals that relate well with each other and to ensure enrichment, health care, and companionship. Our residents at the Conservation Center retain and build intact family groups. Our residents in Pittsburgh retain access to specialized geriatric care.

For more information about our herd and details on the move, please see the following excerpts from today’s exclusive article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

With the arrival of Carole, the Pittsburgh Zoo is now home to a ‘Golden Girls’ elephant duo

A new bull elephant, Jeannot, has also arrived, at the Zoo’s International Conservation Center in Somerset County

By Mary Ann Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“We wanted younger elephants of breeding age at the Conservation Center, which left one of the girls here, which is Tash,” said Dr. Jeremy Goodman, president and CEO of the Zoo.
“Elephants are social creatures; you never want a solo elephant.”
For the Conservation Center herd, the most successful breeding groups are large family units, Goodman said.
A new bull elephant, Jeannot, came with Carole. He adds to the Conservation Center group, potentially breeding with the seven females there — including offspring of the long-reigning elephant Jackson, who turned 50 this year.
“We knew we would need another male to breed with the younger ones and potentially with the older ones with new genes,” Goodman said.
The genes of Jeannot, 42, are not represented in the North American population, and there’s an opportunity to diversify the gene pool, he added.
Both Carole and Jeannot arrived last month.
It took about three years to acquire the two from Canada’s Accredited Zoos & Aquariums, while working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and others, as well as securing permits, Goodman said.
The AZA established its African Elephant Species Survival Plan in the 1980s, covering husbandry, veterinary care, conservation needs and challenges, research priorities and ethical considerations.
The Zoo’s decision to acquire the two elephants was guided by what was best for the species as a whole, and the individual needs of each elephant at the Zoo, Goodman said.
It’s not as straightforward as it sounds.
“Tash, 47, is a big elephant that tends to dominate,” he said. “We couldn’t pair her up with an elephant that was a pushover.”
The Zoo wanted to find another female elephant comparable in size, age and personality, and Carole, 42, checked all of the boxes, Goodman said.
The Zoo has already introduced the two alpha females to each other. “Carole is holding her own, and this is Tash’s home turf,” he said.
The Zoo is taking the pairing slowly and, so far, so good, Goodman said.
Though Carole is not yet on view — the Zoo is keeping watch as the duo’s relationship blossoms — the public should be able to meet her in the near future.

Article excerpts modified for spelling of “Tash” and capitalization of Z in Zoo.

Read the complete article on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s website.

In addition to visiting Tash and Carole at the Zoo, guests will be able to visit the herd at the Conservation Center for scheduled tours, educational programming, and special events. For updates, continue to follow us on social media, @pghzoo.