COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is welcoming a new gentle giant this week from African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Johnson, born in 2001 and weighing 11,500 tons, is settling in well to his new environment, according to African Lion Safari’s Elephant Manager and care teams. 

What You Need To Know

  • Johnson was born at African Lion Safari and his care teams describe him as, "laidback, confident, and gentle with other elephants"

  • He was born in 2001, and weighs 11,500 tons

  • Johnson’s move was recommended through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan

  • Columbus Zoo recently saw three of its elephants leave to help with this program; Connie, Hank and Sabu

"The care teams report that Johnson is eating well and exploring his surroundings, including the outdoor habitat, where guests have the opportunity to view him," a release from Columbus Zoo states.

Johnson was born at African Lion Safari and his care teams describe him as, "laidback, confident, and gentle with other elephants."

Columbus Zoo will introduce Johnson to their current herd including sisters Rudy and Sundara (Sunny), matriarch Phoebe and Phoebe’s young son, Frankie, who just turned 3 years old.

The herd's habitats include outdoor pools, mud wallows, an indoor shower activated by the elephants, indoor sand floors, trees, interactive feeding stations and other structures for rubbing and back scratching. Johnson will also have a space for independence if he decides he wants alone time.

The former outdoor rhino habitat adjacent to the elephant habitats is currently being modified for the elephants with the work expected to be complete in October 2024.

Johnson’s move was recommended through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan.

Columbus Zoo recently saw three of its elephants leave to help with this program; Connie, Hank and Sabu. Sabu returned to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden after a temporary stay while the Elephant Trek habitat construction completed. 

The zoo hopes Sabu mated with its female elephants, but said it is too soon to confirm if this was successful.

Hank and Connie, a closely bonded pair, are at the Tulsa Zoo. It was recommended for Hank to move, as it is common for bulls to move between herds in nature. Hank was at the Columbus Zoo for 13 years, and the elephant care leadership team felt because of their bond it was in Connie's best interest to join him.

Future plans for 2025 include receiving an additional SSP-recommended breeding bull, Raja, from the Saint Louis Zoo.

“While it’s always challenging for our dedicated keepers to see the animals they care for move on, these decisions are made in the best interest of each individual animal and the future of their species. We are grateful for the collaboration and expertise of all the teams involved to ensure that the elephants arrived safely, and we remain in close contact to ensure the animals are thriving. We are pleased to report that all of them are doing very well, and we remain committed to their wellbeing and making a positive impact on the conservation of their amazing species,” said Adam Felts, Senior Curator and Director of Animal Wellbeing at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in a news release.

Asian elephants are considered endangered in their native range across southern and southeastern Asia and are in decline due to various factors including habitat loss/degradation and poaching. The International Elephant Foundation estimates there are 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining.