Fort Worth Zoo’s matriarch Asian elephant and unborn calf die Thursday

by PegNews wire

Babe, 40, was the oldest elephant in the Fort Worth Zoo's herd and had lived at the zoo longer than any other mammal. She was pregnant and nearing labor when it became clear the the calf was not entering the birth canal, which would mean its death, but something Babe could survive (she had three prior unsuccessful pregnancies). Zookeepers, who had been keeping a 24-hour watch since December, were shocked and saddened when Babe died in her sleep on Thursday, resulting in the death of the calf, as well. Veterinarians ruled that Babe died of peritonitis caused by a torn uterus.

The zoo has had only one successful birth since they began breeding the Asian elephants in the mid-90s.

Posted by Erin