Stu Bykofsky: Trumpeting their new digs

FAIRHOPE, Pa. - Philadelphia's two most-missed girls, Kallie and Bette, entertained press and guests yesterday in their new quarters at the 724-acre International Conservation Center here.

As hostesses, the Philly Girls fell short, practically ignoring three dozen guests from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Somerset. The guests didn't mind, as we were there to witness the Philly Girls' acclimation to their new home in the wooded western Pennsylvania countryside.

When they arrived July 8, they were greeted by Jackson, an 11,000-pound bull, America's most prolific sire with a "batting average" on a par with Shane Victorino.

All three elephants share a 10,000-square-foot, climate-controlled barn, with separate quarters for Jackson. Bette and Kallie share a large stall. No coed dorms here.

The plan is to breed Kallie and Bette, with a major "if," repeated by Philadelphia Zoo President Vikram Dewan and Pittsburgh Zoo President Dr. Barbara Baker. The Pittsburgh Zoo runs the ICC.

They will breed the Philly Girls only "if" it is in the best interest of the animals and "if" it is deemed appropriate by an external advisory board.

Baker hopes to have 20 elephants at ICC, plus other species.

Some ask why elephants in captivity need to be bred at all.

Baker says that in the early '80s there were some 1.5 million African elephants in the wild, but only 500,000 today - and dropping due to poaching. Breeding programs protect the survival of the species.

I know some elephant activists never want to see the intelligent, social animals in a zoo, or in a breeding facility. They would prefer to see them in preserves and for serious conservation to be done in Africa.

So would I, but Africa's a long way from doing it. Someday the greatest land mammal will enjoy the protection in the wild they deserve, but that day is not today.

After their arrival, Kallie, 27, and Bette, 26, were permitted to get used to their stall in the huge, concrete-block barn, which also includes an arena filled with sand, which they dig in, push around and toss in the air.

The Philly Girls and Jackson get sand box time separately and also use the outdoor yards separately, too. The smaller yard is about 1 1/2 acres, which the Philly Girls had been in. The 3 1/2-acre larger yard was opened to them for the first time yesterday afternoon.