[Greens-Media] Unplanned pregnancy of underage elephant: Taronga must respond to rumours

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release 13 February 2008

Unplanned pregnancy of underage elephant:Taronga must respond to
rumours

Greens MP spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Taronga Zoo Director
Guy Cooper to publicly disclose if one of the zoo*s immature elephants
has become pregnant, indicating a failure to properly manage the herd in
accordance with international guidelines.

*I have received information that Taronga*s management plan for its
Asian elephants has broken down and an underaged Asian elephant is
pregnant,* said Ms Rhiannon.   

*I understand that ultrasound tests have confirmed that an eight year
Asian elephant is six months pregnant. 

*If the elephant is pregnant it shows Taronga Zoo*s has failed to
manage the elephants according to the guidelines they agreed to. 

*This pregnancy could put the young mother elephant at risk. The
chances of a successful pregnancy would be very low. 

*The Captive Management Plan adopted by Taronga Zoo specifies that
female elephants should be at least eleven years old before becoming
pregnant. Elephants under this age are immature so there can be
difficulties giving birth. 
 
*Sources close to the zoo understand that the elephant concerned is
small for her age and overweight, factors which could cause birth
complications. 

*Zoo Director Guy Cooper needs to publicly disclose if this young
elephant is pregnant and if so why the zoo*s elephant management plan
has failed. 

 *Pregnant elephants gain their experience through their matriachal
family.

*Considering this very young elephant would have no maternal
experience the chances of a successful pregnancy are very low. 

*The zoo now needs to prioritise the welfare of this young pregnant
elephant. The zoo should investigate whether her best chance for a
successful pregnancy lies at Taronga Zoo or Western Plains,* Ms
Rhiannon said.
 
For more information * Lee Rhiannon: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568



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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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