Columbus Zoo Trumpets News of Elephant Birth

The much anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, http://www.columbuszoo.org , occurred on March 27 at approximately 2:35 p.m. after a 655 day gestation period. The male calf, later named Beco (BEE-co), stood within 15 minutes.

Phoebe's health was monitored throughout her pregnancy including an exercise regimen and regular ultrasounds and blood draws. On Wednesday her progesterone levels dropped significantly indicating the onset of the birthing process.

This is 21-year-old Phoebe's third offspring and her second with sire Coco, 38 years of age. Phoebe and Coco made Columbus Zoo history on April 16, 2004 with the arrival of Bodhi (BO-dee), the Zoo's first successful elephant birth. Thirty-five-year-old Connie completes the Columbus Zoo elephant herd.

"I commend the dedicated staff and volunteers who love and care for these animals every day, and who have devoted their time and expertise to make this joyful event possible" said Jeff Swanagan, the Columbus Zoo's Executive Director. "We look forward to watching him grow and since baby elephants develop fast - Bodhi gained 2 1/2 pounds a day - people will want to visit him often."

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild. Agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian Elephants.

"We have the opportunity every day to inspire people to care about wildlife and take an active role in conservation. An encounter with a living being, especially one as a magnificent as an elephant, offers a vital link to conservation," stated Swanagan.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open 363 days a year 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after Labor Day. General admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 2 to 9 and seniors 60+. Children under 2 and Columbus Zoo members are free. The Zoo was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA.) For more information and to purchase advance Zoo admission tickets, visit www.columbuszoo.org.

For more information about the Columbus Zoo please visit http://www.columbuszoo.org, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Powell-... , iTunes and you can follow us on http://twitter.com/ColumbusZoo .

(c) Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 2009

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• columbus
• zoo
• columbus zoo
• elephant
• asian elephant
• elephant birth
• birth
• animal
• cute
• baby
• pachyderm
• babys
• baby animals
• conservation

[rbird55]

So cute!!!

[2cpus4me]

Amazing.  So perfect.

[MrChikki]

i asked a zoo lady when i went with my school nd she said his name was beco i think, nd tht there were only 2 other elephants in this inclosure, so i guess the dad was transferred from another, mated with this female , nd then was transferred bck.

[BangkokPalace]

hope the herd welcomes the baby

[myprophet1]

where are the rest of the females, they should be there to help. and if there are no other females,,,WHY NOT?

[TheInterface30]

poor mam 2 hears be with baby in stomack oh )))

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[funnybunny407]

Very awesome and amazing to see. Thanks

[ktkbkkt]

that is stinkin adorable!

[kyleb2112]

It's cool to see how excited the mother is.