There's a new kid on the block!
Experts had said the survival of the baby elephant after six days of labor would be «a miracle» .But the male calf was delivered showing signs of life on Wednesday morning and by the afternoon, he took his first steps.
Experts say they think the baby elephant was in a coma in the womb during the labor period. On Monday, the zoo had said that the calf had died in the womb, after becoming trapped in a position from which a live birth was thought to be impossible. Ultrasound appeared to confirm this diagnosis.
'Amazing news'
«Dedicated keepers reported the amazing news early this morning that the calf had been born and was showing signs of life,» said zoo director Cameron Kerr. He added that he had consulted Berlin-based elephant reproduction expert Thomas Hildebrandt on the unusual outcome. «He said the birth will completely rewrite the elephant birth textbooks,» Mr Kerr said.
A senior vet said the elephant was believed to have been in a coma during the labor period. «That unconscious state would explain the complete absence of any vital signs during all the checks and examinations conducted during the labor,» Larry Vogelnest said.
The zoo says that the next 24 hours will be crucial in keeping the calf, who weighs 100kg, alive.The new male calf is the second elephant conceived by artificial insemination in the country, AFP reports.
The zoo's Asian elephants are part of a controversial program to breed the endangered creatures which began after the animals arrived from Thailand in 2006.
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2010/03/10 16:14:29 GMT
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7 comments
5 months and 26 days ago
We'll be thinking good thoughts for the baby. Hope he's able to pull through and live a very long life!
5 months and 26 days ago
Wow, what a great story - such good news!
.-= Amy & The House of Cats´s last blog ..Friends who need Purrs and Grrs =-.
5 months and 26 days ago
What a happy ending! We hope that the little guy continues to do well!
Charlemagne and Tamar
5 months and 22 days ago
Great post! I bet you put a lot of research into it.
5 months and 8 days ago
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