Cast saddened by loss of elephant fetus at Disney's Animal Kingdom
04/08/2003
LAKE BUENA VISTA (Eyes and Ears) -- Veterinarians and elephant managers at Disney's Animal Kingdom were deeply saddened on April 8 when they determined that the calf of Robin, a pregnant African elephant, no longer is viable.
Labor started prior to 4 a.m. on April 6 for the 33-year-old, first-time mother. Strong initial contractions lessened during the first 24 hours, and many unsuccessful attempts were made to induce productive labor. Unfortunately, the team has concluded that the calf has died in the womb.
"This is a time of profound loss for the dedicated team of people who have been working tirelessly for the past two years," said Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom. "While this news is extremely disheartening, they are continuing to devote their energy to the health and well being of the mother. That is our main focus going forward."
The staff at Disney's Animal Kingdom spent a tremendous amount of time preparing for every possible scenario for this pregnancy with the knowledge that African elephant births often are difficult. Since 1994, there have been 15 African elephant pregnancies in North America, and only five of those have resulted in healthy calves. One reason is that many of the elephants giving birth in zoos and wildlife parks are first-time mothers -- just as the elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom is -- and it is not unusual for those elephant mothers to lose their first calves. Elephants in the wild also experience difficult pregnancies when they are first-time mothers.
Robin became pregnant through artificial insemination on June 16, 2001. Disney's Animal Kingdom has two additional pregnant elephants -- one through artificial insemination and one through natural means. The first of these births is anticipated in early summer this year and the second is anticipated during Summer 2004.
Importance of breeding programs
African elephants are classified as endangered species by IUCN, the World Conservation Union, and their future in zoos and wildlife parks is complicated as the aging elephant population in North American zoos passes its reproductive prime.
Disney's Animal Kingdom has a breeding program that is part of a cooperative effort coordinated by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in North America.
AZA's Elephant Species Survival Plan has called for a five-fold increase in African elephant reproduction efforts, using both natural and artificial breeding methods to create a self-sustaining elephant population among North American zoos and wildlife centers.
04/08/2003
LAKE BUENA VISTA (Eyes and Ears) -- Veterinarians and elephant managers at Disney's Animal Kingdom were deeply saddened on April 8 when they determined that the calf of Robin, a pregnant African elephant, no longer is viable.
Labor started prior to 4 a.m. on April 6 for the 33-year-old, first-time mother. Strong initial contractions lessened during the first 24 hours, and many unsuccessful attempts were made to induce productive labor. Unfortunately, the team has concluded that the calf has died in the womb.
"This is a time of profound loss for the dedicated team of people who have been working tirelessly for the past two years," said Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom. "While this news is extremely disheartening, they are continuing to devote their energy to the health and well being of the mother. That is our main focus going forward."
The staff at Disney's Animal Kingdom spent a tremendous amount of time preparing for every possible scenario for this pregnancy with the knowledge that African elephant births often are difficult. Since 1994, there have been 15 African elephant pregnancies in North America, and only five of those have resulted in healthy calves. One reason is that many of the elephants giving birth in zoos and wildlife parks are first-time mothers -- just as the elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom is -- and it is not unusual for those elephant mothers to lose their first calves. Elephants in the wild also experience difficult pregnancies when they are first-time mothers.
Robin became pregnant through artificial insemination on June 16, 2001. Disney's Animal Kingdom has two additional pregnant elephants -- one through artificial insemination and one through natural means. The first of these births is anticipated in early summer this year and the second is anticipated during Summer 2004.
Importance of breeding programs
African elephants are classified as endangered species by IUCN, the World Conservation Union, and their future in zoos and wildlife parks is complicated as the aging elephant population in North American zoos passes its reproductive prime.
Disney's Animal Kingdom has a breeding program that is part of a cooperative effort coordinated by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in North America.
AZA's Elephant Species Survival Plan has called for a five-fold increase in African elephant reproduction efforts, using both natural and artificial breeding methods to create a self-sustaining elephant population among North American zoos and wildlife centers.
.Sorry Animal Kingdom.
