Zahara, a 16-year-old African elephant at Indianapolis Zoo is giving birth this fall. The baby elephant will be the first second-generation elephant conceived through artificial insemination.
All about Zahara and her health
16-year-old Zahara will give birth to the first second-generation elephant conceived through artificial insemination this fall. The African elephant at Indianapolis Zoo is the youngest of the herd and 15 months into the gestation period. African elephants have a 22-month-long gestation period. She was born in 2006, to Ivory through artificial insemination.
The zoo also released an ultrasound video where veterinarians identified the calf’s spine, trunk, and a steady heartbeat. “We are pleased that Zahara’s pregnancy appears to be progressing normally as the calf continues to grow at a healthy rate with a consistently strong heartbeat on ultrasound,” stated Dr, Melissa Fayette. Dr. Fayette is an associate veterinarian for the Indianapolis Zoo. The veterinary staff are monitoring her blood values, diet, weight, and exercise closely.
Artificial insemination: The future of zoo breeding programs?
Due to the threats from illegal trafficking, habitat destruction, and ivory poaching, the number of African elephant herds is dropping. Moreover, they have reduced from 10 million in 1913 to about 451,000 in 2015. Breeding programs using artificial insemination for multigenerational herds to raise awareness and fund conservation efforts. Artificial insemination is a reproductive technique that helps in achieving pregnancy. It involves the introduction of sperm into a female’s reproductive system.
Currently, about 160 African elephants call US zoos their home. “African elephants face several threats to their survival. Additionally, a key among these is habitat loss leading to conflict with humans. Poaching for Ivory and other body parts remains a very serious issue. These pressures also threaten the long-term survival of elephants in the wild. We also want to inspire every zoo visitor to actively support a future where these magnificent animals thrive,” stated Dr. Rob Shumaker. Dr. Shumaker is the CEO and president of the Indianapolis Zoo.