Woodland Park’s elephant Chai miscarries
Seattle P-I reports that Chai, mother of Hansa who died of herpes at the age of 6 years, has had a miscarriage during her first trimester of pregnancy:
Animal rights activists said the miscarriage and Hansa’s death underscore the need to end the breeding program in a zoo they consider too small and unhealthy for elephants.
Zoo officials had said for several weeks that they thought Chai was pregnant, but hadn’t yet been able to confirm a fetus by ultrasound. The elephant’s progesterone levels were elevated, indicating a pregnancy.
Her next ultrasound was scheduled for November.
Wednesday, zoo caretakers noted that Chai’s progesterone levels were dropping and became concerned. The fetus was expelled the next day, the zoo said Friday.
Read the full story from the Seattle P-I.
Subscribe