Often referred to as Soest Zoo in studbooks, animal dealer Mr van den Brink imported a large number of elephants, especially in the late nineties, from Myanmar (Burma), and often through his farm in Soest. Many of the Asian elephants from Burma were claimed to be captive bred, but without any significant confirmation of captive breeding. Mr van den Brink supplied Europe with many young elephants, which today my be up to 80% of the breeding material. Without those imports of new blood from Burma, Europe would have had problems to keep the numbers in Zoos at level today. 1963: unknown name sold to Paris Zoo, where it died young. 1977: Asian elephants from Myanmar sold to among others; Sitakali to Danzig Zoo (Zoo Gdansk), 1979: Asian female Urvashi and male Tarun sold to Dvur Kralove Zoo (both from India?). 1980: African elephants imported from South Africa: among them Mongu sold to Zoo Dresden. From Asia; Vendi (Vendy) sold to Usti nad Labem Zoo. 1984-1985: A group of African elephants were imported from Zimbabwe, among them: Maja and Gula from Zimbabwe sold 1984 to Bojnice Zoo, Rosa sold 1985 to Longleat. Also 2 (claimed female) Asian elephants from Mynmar; 1. Kima/Achima, 2. possibly the male Kanto? (Konto), by boat 1985 to Singapore, and by plane to Zoo Seoul, Korea, 1985. 1987: Moola from Mynamar to Milwaukee County Zoo, USA. 1988: In this database at least 13 elephants delivered in in 1988. 1989: In this database a total of 10 elephants delivered in in 1989. 1990: In this database a total of 18 elephants delivered in in 1990. 1996: In October 1996, the quarantine facilities at the farm Soeste of van den Brink, were closed down by the Dutch Government to build houses on this land. Frans daughter Mareille Kip-Van den Brink today operates the Zoo Animal Transport company EKIPA together with her husband, Ernst Jan.
In rememberance of our 42 elephants. Shipment took place from 1976 to 1997, by boat from Rangoon, Burma to Rotterdam. In Holland by truck to our farm in Soest. 2 females, from Rangoon by boat to Japan, accompanied by my friend, Mr Siemsen. 1985 2 females, by boat to Singapore, by plane to Zoo Seoul, Korea.
