CNN WASHINGTON (AP) -- What weighs 325 pounds and is new at the National Zoo? A newborn baby elephant.
The male calf, born Sunday afternoon, took its first steps shortly after birth, zoo officials said.
"We are all so excited," said National Zoo Director Dr. Lucy Spelman. "Very few elephant calves are born in zoos each year so this is a very special event."
For one thing, it is very difficult to mate females and bulls, because few zoos have males in captivity or the proper facilities for bulls.
The calf was conceived through artificial insemination, only the fifth such success in the world, Spelman said.
The baby was born to the youngest of the zoo's Asian elephants, 25-year-old Shanthi.
Elephants carry their young for 22 months and Shanthi had been expected to deliver in December.
Shanthi's first calf died at age 16 months of what was eventually identified as a herpes virus exclusive to elephants. Since then, methods of effective diagnosis and treatment have been developed.
"The zoo will take every measure it can to ensure the survival of this wonderful new arrival," said senior curator Dr. John Seidensticker.
There has been no decision on a name, officials said.
[ November 28, 2001: Message edited by: Malnurtured Snay ]
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Is this thread intended to reassure the virgin contingent on these Forums that if elephants in captivity can get laid, then maybe they can too? 8)
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
I was hoping this was going to be something Kodos-&-Kang-inspired. Damn.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
n/m
[ November 28, 2001: Message edited by: Malnurtured Snay ]
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
What the bloody...? Posted by CaptainMike (Member # 709) on :
I really don't need the article for encouragement.. i could lose this virginity thing ive had going on for a while, ive just chosen not to.
Posted by Jay the Obscure (Member # 19) on :
Speaking of the little elephant...
[ November 28, 2001: Message edited by: Jay the Obscure ]
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
"I really don't need the article for encouragement.. i could lose this virginity thing ive had going on for a while, ive just chosen not to."
You lie.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Bah! We had one of these elephant-birth things here in St. Louis a few years back. They made a big deal of it then, too.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Yes, but this time we're talking actual elephants giving birth, not some woman down the street. 8)
Posted by Jernau Morat Gurgeh (Member # 318) on :
Just a small question: Why have you highlighted "To mate females" in that passage of text?
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
So people would quickly and easily see where I got the thread title.
Also so someone would ask me why I highlighted it.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
*silence*
*tumbleweed blows past*
*someone coughs*
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Kodos: "I TOLD you we should've invaded tomorrow!" Kang: "Quiet you!"
Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :
I thought this was one of those relationship threads where the blind tries to lead the blind on how to get laid.
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
A blind virgin at that...
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Come on now, Jeff's not blind. He does have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to seeing deer, but don't we all?
I think you'll argree that the answer is no.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
Liam doesn't have that problem, what with his escapades with Tim Curry, so he thinks its okay to make fun of the rest of us. Shame, Liam, shame!
[ November 30, 2001: Message edited by: Malnurtured Snay ]
Posted by StarFire (Member # 748) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: Bah! We had one of these elephant-birth things here in St. Louis a few years back. They made a big deal of it then, too.
Made a big deal out of it?? They frelling celebrate the bugger's birthday every year, and built it it's own 'special' place to live! Gah.
Okay, so if it didn't have its own seperate area to live in, it could kill the other elephants as an adult..still... it was blown out of proprtion.
-SF.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Hm... Honestly, I haven't been to the zoo in years, and I don't really pay attention. I just remember all the hoopla back when the thing was born...
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
I think it's been long enough. Jeff, what on Earth were you talking about regarding "To Mate Females..."?
Posted by StarFire (Member # 748) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: Hm... Honestly, I haven't been to the zoo in years, and I don't really pay attention. I just remember all the hoopla back when the thing was born...
The only reason I know about the birthday thingee is its usually on the one day of the year I see the news, and it cannot be advoided. And as for the knowing about the building...well, I have a 7 year old brother and that is still one of the yearly outings.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Liam: Erm... Did you actually read the first post in this thread? Especially the part in big bold letters that explains where the thread title comes from?
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Yeah, but I still didn't quite see the point. As much as I love newspaper clippings about the zoo, I can't stand newspaper clippings about the zoo.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
You know, of all the people I wasn't expecting not to find the title, you weren't one of them, Liam. I was expecting MIB or B.E. to go "eh?"
