ST. LOUIS 鈥 The 最新杏吧原创 Zoo on Sunday announced the birth of its eighth Asian elephant, the first bred through artificial insemination as part of a program to support the endangered species.
The calf, a male named Jet, was born about 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Jet is the first member of a fourth generation of Asian elephants at the zoo, born to Jade, the zoo鈥檚 17-year-old Asian elephant, and Jake, an Asian elephant that lives at the Denver zoo.
Jet and his mother are 鈥渄oing well and bonding,鈥 Tim Their, director of the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo鈥檚 WildCare Institute for Asian Elephant Conservation, said in a news release.
Jet was bred through a national cooperative鈥檚 plan to maintain a healthy population of Asian elephants in North American zoos to help ensure the survival of the endangered species.
The process allowed Jade, the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo鈥檚 elephant, to 鈥渃ontribute to the genetic diversity of the population鈥 while remaining with her family group here, 最新杏吧原创 Zoo officials said. Jet鈥檚 birth is the second successful birth from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan鈥檚 artificial insemination program.
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鈥淏eing able to breed and raise a baby is an important part of animal wellbeing and one of the priorities of our thoughtful and robust Animal Care program,鈥 said Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care at the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo, in a written statement. 鈥淥ur incredible and experienced Animal Care team is providing exceptional around-the-clock care for Jade and her newborn calf.鈥
There are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the wild in Southeast Asia as the endangered species faces threats from habitat loss and poaching. The 最新杏吧原创 Zoo supports conservation efforts of Asian elephants in Sumatra and other Asian countries as well as conservation of African elephants in Kenya.
Jet and his mother will bond in private until he is older and temperatures are warm enough for him to explore his outdoor habitat, the zoo said.
Jet, a male Asian elephant calf born at the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo on Nov. 23, 2024, sticks close to his mother, Jade, the zoo's 17-year-old Asian elephant.
Jet鈥檚 family of eight Asian elephants at the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo also includes his grandparents, Rani and Raja; his great-grandmother, Pearl; and three other elephants. Jade was born in the zoo in 2007 to Rani and Raja.
Elephant pregnancies last about 22 months, the zoo said. A newborn elephant typically weights 250 to 350 pounds.
Roxie, a Grevy's zebra, was the first animal born at the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo's WildCare Park on April 16, 2024. Video by the 最新杏吧原创 Zoo.
