The zoo did not know that the mother elephant was pregnant. She delivered at
night and the zoo keepers found the baby bruised and rejected by his mother.
The zoo did not think about breastfeeding. Another elephant delivered some
time later but her baby had to be put to sleep because of a hip problem. She
was receptive to nursing the first baby but the baby rejected her. A local
professional breastfeeding organization helped the zoo use a breast pump and
express milk. I don't know how sucessful they were but I know that they were
formula feeding this baby when were visited the zoo in March. BTW the zoo
thinks that the mother is pregnant again and will deliver in the spring of
98. Hope they have learned their lesson and will try harder next time.
Helen Schieve RN BSN LLLL