The Oregon zoo in Portland has welcomed its latest addition, a child elephant.
Thirty-year-old Asian elephant Rose-Tu gave start on Saturday after 20 months of being pregnant, the zoo stated in a information launch. The calf gave the impression to be a 200lb (90kg) feminine, however zoo workers are giving the pair time to bond earlier than conducting a primary checkup to substantiate weight and intercourse.
“We couldn’t be happier with how every little thing goes to this point,” Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant program, stated within the launch. “This was one of many smoothest births I’ve ever seen. Rose knew simply what to do. She helped her child up instantly. The child was standing on her personal inside quarter-hour and took her first steps quickly after that.”
Rose-Tu and her child, who’s nursing often, are doing nicely, Kelsey Wallace from the zoo’s communications staff stated on Tuesday.
The calf is Rose-Tu’s third child. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, additionally lives on the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, died from a virus in 2018, simply earlier than she turned six years outdated.
It is perhaps some time earlier than the brand new child and Rose-Tu are prepared for guests. Workers need to be certain the calf continues to do nicely, and that Rose-Tu is calm and comfy with individuals round, Lefave stated.
“Rose is a improbable mother,” he stated. “She’s so mild and protecting, and the calf is already nursing nicely. These are indicators that they’ll have a robust bond, which is strictly what we need to see. We’re prepared to assist if wanted, however to this point mother and child are doing simply advantageous on their very own.”
The zoo helps a broad vary of efforts to assist wild elephants, and its elephant care program has spanned greater than 60 years, in keeping with its assertion.
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