Today I decided to take the kids to the zoo. We were excited because a baby elephant was born on Monday night. I was pretty sure we would not be able to see the elephant, but all the talk of the baby elephant made the zoo a nice trip for the kids.
When we arrived there was a nice sign out front stating Asali had a baby girl 7/6/09 at 10:23pm. We spent about an hour at the zoo and then began to head home. AS we were leaving the zoo I noticed a new sign was up. I was devastated to read that the new baby elephant had died.
I found out later there had been an accident and the baby had slipped and as mama was helping she accidentally injured her baby with her tusk. Unfortunately the vets were unable to save the new little baby.
Kiah was very upset by the news and I was quite saddened myself. After all, I spent my entire pregnancy pregnant with Asali. I remember when they announced her pregnancy, I wasn't too far along in my own pregnancy. I felt a special sisterhood with Asali. I know it is weird to feel a sisterhood with an elephant, but I did. Now I feel great saddness for her. I know she must be sad. The process she went through to have her cute 120 lbs baby (I don't know the actual birth weight, but I know they are usually about that weight when an elephant is born.) Asali hormones began to be assessed in 2002. It was a 7 year process for her to get pregnant and have a baby. There are no bulls here in Memphis, which means had to use Artificial insemination; a very tricky process with elephants. Almost 22 months of pregnancy. What a tragedy.
2 comments:
that is so sad! Lucy is going to be sad, we talked about the baby yesterday and she was so excited to go see it.
That is so, so sad! My Emily would have been bawling, and I would have felt it too. I feel badly for the elephant and for all those who tend the elephants. How tragic.
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