By KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The St. Louis Zoo announced on Saturday that the baby elephant about to be born has died. Staffers became concerned over the last two weeks when Sri's labor didn't progress as expected. Tests now show the fetus is not alive.
"Everyone here is just devastated right now," said Martha Fischer, in a statement. Fischer is Curator of Mammals. "Our staff worked so hard over the last 22 months doing everything possible to prepare for this birth. Their commitment and dedication to our elephants is tremendous."
Sri is 25 and one of just three pregnant elephants at the St. Louis Zoo. Raja, the only elephant who ever born at the zoo, is the father in all three cases.
The zoo reports that, despite the setback, Sri is eating well and behaving normally.
A specialist in elephant reproduction was brought in from Missouri State University to help assess the condition of Sri and the calf. "Experience with similar elephant pregnancies suggests that the best thing we can do at this point is to let nature take its course and allow Sri to pass the calf at her own pace," said Dr. Dennis Schmitt, also in a statement.
Added Fischer: "The outpouring of support that we have received from the St. Louis community and from around the world has been so wonderful. I know everyone joins us in our sense of loss, and that helps our staff get through this difficult time."