“At only a few weeks of age, this little calf had already won our hearts. She was a cherished member of our zoo family, and we are mourning her passing,” said Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Stalf.
The veterinary team determined that female calf, who was born Dec. 6, had an infection after she appeared “sluggish” Wednesday morning.
They gave the calf fluids, antibiotics and blood plasma from her mother, Phoebe.
She reportedly seemed to rebound and nursed before her health rapidly declined again, according to the zoo.
The calf died around 1:30 p.m.
A full autopsy will be performed, but the results will not be available for weeks.
Credit: Grahm S. Jones
Credit: Grahm S. Jones
“Our team is going through an exceptionally difficult time with our recent unrelated losses, and we are appreciative of the outpouring of support we receive from near and far,” Stalf said.
The calf was the first elephant born at the zoo in nearly 10 years and the first born at the zoo as a the result of artificial insemination, according to the zoo.
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