-
Another special birth, kinda scary.
- Aug 24, 2008 at 1:57 PM
- By
- Comments (15) Total Views (1286) Everyone can see this journal post.
Zoo's newest elephant takes his first steps
by Larry Bingham, The Oregonian
Saturday August 23, 2008, 7:15 PM
The Oregon Zoo's newest addition takes some of its first baby elephant steps today, with a gentle assist from zookeepers. Elephant baby photos 
Previous story
Rose-Tu gave birth to the Oregon Zoo's newest elephant at 3:56 p.m. today, and after initial worries, took his first steps.
It was a long labor and a worrisome birth.
The 13-year-old Asian elephant immediately kicked her baby, a common way mother elephants encourage their infants to stand. Zookeepers then rushed in and cut the video feed when the kicking became too violent.
Less than an hour later, after Rose-Tu had calmed down, the baby boy - despite the fact earlier blood tests had led keepers to think it would be a girl - appeared to be safe. The mother and calf could be on display at the zoo within days.
The birth began with two legs protruding at 3:55 p.m., followed almost instantly with the entire calf emerging.
It had been a long wait.
Earlier this afternoon, Oregon Zoo officials asked for a third ultrasound, after previous tests showed the unborn elephant calf had moved partly through the pelvis.
Rose-Tu's amniotic sac broke late this morning. Mike Keele, an elephant expert and deputy zoo director, said zoo officials made calls to elephant experts across the world as the labor slowly progressed.
Experts said it's not uncommon for births to slow or even to stop for a time before beginning again, Keele said.
"That's the reassurances we needed from our colleagues at this time," Keele said.
Rachael Skelton, an Oregon Zoo volunteer for more than five years, says this is typical of Rose-Tu.
"She doesn't follow procedures. She doesn't follow manuals. She does things on her own terms."
If the birth has been successful, the calf will be Rose-Tu's first and the 28th elephant born at the Oregon Zoo. The father is Tusko.
Rose-Tu, born Aug. 31, 1994, had been expected to give birth in mid-September, but Keele said the early labor is within the average for her species and is not a concern.
A live birth is significant because Asian elephants are endangered. Low birth rates, fewer bull elephants and an aging female population have complicated reproduction.
Even if Rose-Tu's calf has been born healthy, it's not out of the woods until keepers see how the adult females respond. None of the females in the zoo's herd, including Rose-Tu, have much experience with newborns and could harm the calf, Keele said.
Keeper Bob Lee noticed unusual behavior about 4:30 a.m. Friday, when Rose-Tu defecated several times and held her tail high above her body. That was most likely her way of reacting to the calf repositioning itself in the birth canal, Keele explained.
Daybreak brought enough light to search the elephant barn without disrupting her. Keepers later spotted her mucous plug on the ground. Later in the morning, Rose-Tu curled her tail and leaned all her weight on her left side and tried to rest with one foot propped against a wall.
Keele knew that behavior meant Rose-Tu -- the most recent elephant born at the zoo -- was moving toward delivery. Zookeepers, veterinarians and trained volunteers have watched her around the clock for three days, after blood tests revealed a drop in her levels of the hormone progesterone. Those signs of discomfort told them the big moment was coming. Like any expectant mother, Rose-Tu was trying to get comfortable in the final hours.
Zoo officials estimate labor officially began between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Most elephant births occur in a 24-hour period. Zoo officials weren't overly concerned that Rose-Tu had passed the 24-hour mark.
"It's not uncommon, it's just unnerving," Keele said.
-- Larry Bingham
UPDATE!
Baby elephant born at Oregon Zoo now nursing with mother
10:45 AM PDT on Monday, August 25, 2008
Happy news for a baby elephant born at the Oregon Zoo over the weekend – elephant mother Rose-Tu has begun nursing her calf and appears to have accepted her newborn.
Slideshow: Newborn elephant photos
The calf began walking up to his mother and successfully nursing on both sides, according to zoo spokeswoman Linda D'Ae-Smith.
When Rose-Tu gets tired, staff supplements the nursing with a bottle.
The elephant mother is kept physically restrained during nursing, but does not appear to have any problem with her calf now. Both had visual contact all night.
Rose-Tu has been lifting her leg forward and tucking the calf under her arm, kind of like a hug, according to D'Ae-Smith.
Zoo staff continues to monitor the situation carefully.
Staff tried to reintroduce the two Saturday night, but Rose-Tu was still aggressive at the time.
More: Elephant stuns keepers by kicking newborn
Blog: Watching the birth & reaction
"When we brought the calf in the very first time, she tried her best to get to it by breaking chains, and breaking chains means she could potentially be free and posed a threat to her calf and the staff," said Oregon Zoo Deputy Director Mike Keele.
In the meantime, the elephant calf cried for its mother.
"He was inconsolable," Keele said.
Keepers were desperate to reunite the calf with his mother as soon as possible.
The calf's entry into the world was violent. His 13-year-old mother became aggressive as soon as he was born. The 7,000 pound Rose-Tu repeatedly kicked her calf, and fearing for the calf's life, zoo staff swiftly separated the baby from his mother.
Despite being kicked, the baby elephant is in good condition and sturdy on its feet, staff reported.
(KGW reporter Jane Smith also contributed to this article.)
Comments:
awwww ^_^ i love animals!
so cute! you mean when she passed the 24 hour mark and hiked her leg up on the wall tha they didnt pin her down, give her pitocin and start pushing on her belly to get the baby out????
glad the baby elephant seems healthy.
and one other totally random thought after reading this...it said they found the mucous plug...i bet that is one BIG mucous plug! sorry gross and totally OT but it makes ya wonder!
ha ha!wasn't expecting that!cute~
We have been watching this elephant for a while... Even before she got pregnant and when they brought in the mate, he was new a couple of years ago (Tusko). So she's been pregnant for a loonnnng time. whheww! Pretty exciting & intense!
CUTENESS!!!
awww...thinks for sharing this story. He is so cute!
lmao @ asherraifsmom because i was thinking the exact same thing! when it's an elephant, going beyond 24 hours is just unnerving, not a medical disaster... yay for new babies of an endangered species! i wonder about the kicking behavior... so many things could be going through that new mama elephant's head...
They think she was unusually violent because of her lack of experience. Elephants know midwifery, instinctively. Not being around it before might have affected Rose-Tu. :-(
Okay~ I have to share this, too. >>sniff<<
Ok that lion video made me cry.. Beautiful!
Already a member? Click here to log in
