POWELL, Oh. – The much anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium occurred on March 27 at approximately 2:35 p.m. after a 655 day gestation period. The male calf stood within minutes.

Phoebe's health was monitored throughout her pregnancy including an exercise regimen and regular ultrasounds and blood draws. On Wednesday her progesterone levels dropped significantly indicating the onset of the birthing process. Phoebe and her calf will continue to be observed around the clock for the next few weeks.

To allow Phoebe and her new baby time to form a strong bond, Zoo visitors are currently unable to see them.  The Zoo will announce viewing information when it becomes available.

This is 21-year-old Phoebe’s third offspring and her second with sire Coco, 38 years of age.  Phoebe and Coco made Columbus Zoo history on April 16, 2004 with the arrival of Bodhi (BO-dee), the Zoo’s first successful elephant birth.  Thirty-five-year-old Connie completes the Columbus Zoo elephant herd.

The pairing of Phoebe and Coco was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants.  The AZA, of which the Columbus Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America.  In the past five years only nine Asian elephants have been born in six AZA zoos including the new calf at the Columbus Zoo.

“I commend the dedicated staff and volunteers who love and care for these animals every day, and who have devoted their time and expertise to make this joyful event possible” said Jeff Swanagan, the Columbus Zoo’s Executive Director.  “We look forward to watching him grow and since baby elephants develop fast -- Bodhi gained 2 ½ pounds a day – people will want to visit him often.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild. Agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants.

The Columbus Zoo is committed to Elephant Conservation with a 20-year history of supporting wildlife conservation through a Conservation Grants program. Over the past five years, the Zoo has provided $3.8 million of privately raised revenue in support for field projects and conservation organizations in more than 40 countries. Several elephant projects in Africa and Asia have received support and recent examples include:

• The Elephant Research Project (ERP), Botswana - Dr. Kate Evans
• Satellite-tracking and social behavior of the Bornean elephant in Kinabatangan, Malaysia - Dr. Benoit Goossens
• Getting Along with Elephants, South Asia- Sally Walker (Zoo Outreach Organization)
• School awareness program for elephants, Sri Lanka
• Survey of forest elephant populations, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Study of forest elephants in Central Africa - Dr. Stephen Blake; Dr. Fiona Maisels
• Tarangire Elephant Project, Tanzania - Dr. Charles Foley

Since 1990, the Zoo has hosted a Conservation Lecture Series. Speakers include award-winning authors and internationally recognized scientists and conservationists. The lecture series is an important opportunity for the Zoo to offer public education programs addressing timely conservation issues around the globe. Visitors to the Zoo also enjoy learning about elephant conservation and contribute directly to field projects at the Zoo’s Elephant Conservation Station inside the Pachyderm building.

“We have the opportunity every day to inspire people to care about wildlife and take an active role in conservation.  An encounter with a living being, especially one as magnificent as an elephant, offers a vital link to conservation” stated Swanagan. 

Updates on Phoebe and her calf can be found on the Zoo’s web site www.columbuszoo.org, Facebook, and you can follow us on Twitter. 
   
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 2 to 9 and seniors 60+.  Children under 2 and Columbus Zoo members are free.  The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA.)  For more information, visit www.columbuszoo.org.

Note to news directors, editors and assignment editors:  To ensure a quiet, comfortable environment for the new mother and calf, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be providing the initial still photographs and video footage. We will contact you when images become available as well as when it is deemed appropriate to allow media access.