Elephant Calf in gUARDED cONDITION

October 8, 2021 update available here. 

The female African elephant, born July 18, 2021 at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s International Conservation Center in Somerset County, has developed several serious medical conditions, including insufficient weight gain, putting her overall health at risk.

The calf is currently nursing from mom, and both mom and calf are receiving supervised, round-the-clock care from our dedicated Elephant Care staff. The Zoo’s Animal Health team has been consulting with renowned elephant veterinary experts to ensure the calf receives the best possible course of treatment. Over the weekend, she responded positively to a necessary plasma transfusion to address some of these medical concerns, and while she is responding to the treatments, her overall health condition remains at a critical stage.

“We are very concerned but hopeful about the calf’s prospect for recovery,” says Dr. Joe Gaspard, Director of Animal Health, Science, and Conservation for the Zoo. “She has several serious medical conditions that are actively being treated, but she is proving to be a fighter.  Along with the attentive care she is receiving from mom, the Elephant Care and Animal Health teams are tirelessly working towards a positive outcome.”

We appreciate everyone’s support for mom and calf as the medical and caregiving teams focus on her well-being. As a resident of our International Conservation Center, the calf is not viewable by the general public.

About the ICC

Located on approximately 1,000 acres in Somerset, PA, the International Conservation Center (ICC) is North America’s premier conservation, research, education, breeding, and training facility, specializing in the care and breeding of African elephants. The ICC is the only center of its kind with such a strong focus on this threatened species and enables the Pittsburgh Zoo to play a major leadership role in addressing the needs the African elephant population in North America.