![]() Phoebe and the calf will remain in a behind-the-scenes area as they bond until they are ready to integrate with the rest of the elephant herd. ![]() The calf is already vocal, emitting a low grumble as he tests out his trunk. Zoo staff reported that the new calf appears to be strong and was observed nursing shortly after his birth. Such a process is rare for elephants, particularly Asian elephants, where there have been fewer than 10 successful births from artificial inseminations, the zoo said in the release. Phoebe had been paired with 33-year-old elephant Hank for mating, but their attempts to breed were unsuccessful, prompting zoo staff to artificially inseminate the mother. Rather than monitor Phoebe remotely, the team shifted to around-the-clock observation until the birth took place. Zoo staff had been prepared for the elephant to give birth since Sunday, when Phoebe's bloodwork indicated that her progesterone levels had dropped enough that the team knew a birth was imminent. The elephant calf was born following a 22-month pregnancy that the zoo staff regularly monitored with ultrasound imaging. The World Elephant Day organization estimates there are fewer than 40,000 Asian elephants and less than 400,000 African elephants remaining worldwide. The new calf's birth is a significant milestone for the species. The last calf Phoebe gave birth to, Ellie, died in 2018 from a bacterial infection a few weeks after birth. Bodhi, who was born in 2004, now resides at Denver Zoo. The elephant calf is Phoebe's fourth since her arrival at the Columbus Zoo in January 2002, and is one of three living Asian elephants that were born at the zoo. “There are so many reasons why these births are cause for celebration," said Jerry Borin, interim Columbus Zoo president/CEO, in a prepared statement. "Certainly, these babies are adorable, but they also represent the science, expertise, and collaboration across internal teams and other facilities as we collectively work to help protect these incredible species."
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