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Mouseketeer
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296-pound elephant born at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Friday, May 23, 2003
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(05-23) 17:18 PDT LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) --
A 296-pound male calf was born to an African elephant at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.
The 22-year-old mother, Moyo, was in labor for four hours before giving birth late Thursday, Disney officials said. It was only the fourth successful conception of an African elephant by artificial insemination in North America.
"African elephants are endangered and difficult to breed," said Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Animal Kingdom.
Moyo and her calf were in good health after the birth, according to Disney veterinarians and elephant managers. The calf was able to stand on wobbly legs and took a few steps within an hour, with the help of members of Disney's animal care team.
"The next critical milestone is for the mother to accept the calf and for nursing to begin," said John Lehnhardt, animal operations director at Animal Kingdom. The calf will be bottle-fed until Moyo can begin nursing him.
Last month, another pregnant elephant at Animal Kingdom lost her calf. Another Animal Kingdom elephant is expected to give birth next summer.
296-pound elephant born at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Friday, May 23, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(05-23) 17:18 PDT LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) --
A 296-pound male calf was born to an African elephant at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.
The 22-year-old mother, Moyo, was in labor for four hours before giving birth late Thursday, Disney officials said. It was only the fourth successful conception of an African elephant by artificial insemination in North America.
"African elephants are endangered and difficult to breed," said Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Animal Kingdom.
Moyo and her calf were in good health after the birth, according to Disney veterinarians and elephant managers. The calf was able to stand on wobbly legs and took a few steps within an hour, with the help of members of Disney's animal care team.
"The next critical milestone is for the mother to accept the calf and for nursing to begin," said John Lehnhardt, animal operations director at Animal Kingdom. The calf will be bottle-fed until Moyo can begin nursing him.
Last month, another pregnant elephant at Animal Kingdom lost her calf. Another Animal Kingdom elephant is expected to give birth next summer.
