GERMANY: Wuppertal Zoo presents new additions to their elephant family

Record ID: 185240

  • Title: GERMANY: Wuppertal Zoo presents new additions to their elephant family
  • Date: 25th January 2011
  • Summary: WUPPERTAL, GERMANY (JANUARY 24, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS ZOO WUPPERTAL WIDE ELEPHANT ENCLOSURE CLOSE ELEPHANT BABY 'ULI' PULL-OUT ELEPHANT ENCLOSURE CLOSE ELEPHANT BABY 'ULI' DIRECTOR OF ZOO, ULRICH SCHUERER, GIVING INTERVIEW ELEPHANT BABIES 'ULI' AND 'SHAWU'
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADRH3NJSV9SBYKO9FZLZKZKXOE
  • Story Text: Elephants in the zoo in the German town Wuppertal enjo a new addition to their family. Within the space of only four days, elephant cow Sabi gave birth to baby 'Uli' and 'Shawu' which the zoo proudly presented on Monday to the public.
    The zoo in Wuppertal can enjoy not only one but two new offspring amongst the herd of African elephants. In the space of only four days, elephant babies 'Uli' and 'Shamu' were born.
    While the birth of 'Uli' went relatively smooth, there were complication with 'Shawu'. The birth lasted many hours and only after the veterinarian administered a contraction enhancing aid. It was watched by the the zoo keepers very closely.
    "One does always worry if the birth doesn't proceed as quickly, it could be a huge problem since the option of midwifery are extremely limited," said zoo director Ulrich Schuerer.
    He said the the baby is doing fine now but it is still too weak to drink for himself. Therefore 'Shamu' has to be bottle-fed.
    But the little one shows no signs of weakness otherwise. He loves to romp around with little 'Uli'. The little elephant bulls don't know yet that sooner or later they'll have to leave the place of their birth.
    "The female elephant babies remain with the mothers and the male elephant calf will have to migrate when they are about seven years old," explains Schuerer. "Then they will also chased away from the herd. And we must then give them to other zoos."
    Only in March the elephant babies will most likely to allowed out in the outdoor enclosure. At the moment it is too cold for the animals more used to temperatures in tropical Africa.
    And then there will be a respite for the keepers and the veterinarians.
    "The keepers are very tired, and the veterinarian as well," smiles Schuerer, "because they worked day and night. Shawu has to be fed all night through." It is not easy being the surrogate-mom for a little elephant, after all.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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