We're Pregnant!!!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Is it common for elephant moms to be aggressive to their own babies?

He's so cute! How can she want to hurt him??

[ozron]

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Is it common for elephant moms to be aggressive to their own babies?

He's so cute! How can she want to hurt him??

Elephants, like many other animals, learn a lot of parenting skills from observing other mothers and helping to care for other calves (babysitting). Unfortunately, Rose-Tu was the last baby born here and has never experienced a birth second-hand. This was one of the big concerns - how she would react to the experience and the baby.

Elephant mothers do usually kick their newborns, to get them breathing, standing and moving around. Rose-Tu went a bit further than that and that's when the staff moved in.

Re-introduction is proceeding. The two have controlled access to each other, and Rose-Tu is being rewarded for nurturing behavior. At this point the baby has successfully nursed, so that's a very good sign. Bottle and tube feeding is also continuing.

Access to the barn is strictly restricted. Most observations are by closed-circuit. I haven't had a chance to talk to any of the staff involved, but they are happy and exhausted!

The zoo was pretty quiet today, considering. We're holding our breath for the day the calf goes on exhibit.

That's when all hell breaks loose for us!