Houston elephant delivers record-size calf

Shanti, the Houston Zoo's 15-year-old Asian elephant, is in good condition after a smooth delivery of a male calf early Sunday morning. The calf weighed in at 384 lbs, which is remarkably large, even by elephant standards. That's the largest elephant ever delivered in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums zoo. A typical elephant calf weighs anywhere from 150 to 340 lbs. at birth. The calf's size is attributed to the fact that Shanti was more than three weeks overdue. The zoo staff is thus far happy with the progress of the calf and its mother. Shanti's last calf, Bella, suffered from complications early in her life. Shanti rejected Bella and she had to be hand-fed by zookeepers instead of nursed by her mother. Eventually, Bella fell and broke her leg, and was subsequently euthanized after veterinarians could not repair her leg through surgery. Zoo staff said Shanti has a much different attitude towards her new calf, and they have high hopes for a continued good relationship between the two.

Shanti and the calf will likely be available for public viewing by this weekend, which should coincide nicely with the cool front we promised. Houstonist is already working on ideas for the naming contest. Details will be posted on the Houston Zoo's blog, a good site for more extensive updates on the elephants and other zoo news.