The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is saddened to share that one of its Asian elephants, Asha (29), went into premature labor on Saturday, July 20 at nearly 13 months pregnant, resulting in the miscarriage of her stillborn calf on Sunday, July 21. This was Asha’s fifth pregnancy and her approximate due date was April 2025.
“Asha’s miscarriage happened very suddenly and we are heartbroken by this loss,” said Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino, OKC Zoo’s Chief Animal Program Officer. “Everything was progressing well with Asha’s pregnancy. As part of her ongoing care, the vet team performed an ultrasound last week and the calf’s heartbeat was strong and all looked good. Sadly though, miscarriages are a risk for all mammals and there is not always an explanation as to why.”
When caretakers realized Asha was in premature labor, they gave her access to the elephant barn’s maternity stall where they could focus on her comfort and begin monitoring her around the clock with support from the Zoo’s veterinary care team. Asha’s family group, including her sister, Chandra (28), and daughters, Achara (9), Kairavi (6), and Rama (2), were also housed in the barn during this time in a separate stall near Asha where they could still see, touch, and smell her.
Elephants are extremely intelligent, social, and emotional animals. Herd members are known to create strong bonds, providing support and comfort for one another when raising calves and even grieving the loss of individuals.
“Following Asha’s miscarriage, caretakers gave her time to be with her calf and let her say goodbye in her own way,” added Dr. D’Agostino.
According to her caretakers, Asha is back to her regular routine and reunited with her family group, spending time with them outdoors.
The Zoo’s veterinary team completed a necropsy (animal autopsy) exam on the stillborn calf and determined it was a male.
Asha and the Zoo’s bull elephant, Rex (56) are parents to Achara, Kairavi, and Rama. Achara is pregnant and expected to give birth to her first calf in July 2025. The Zoo’s youngest bull elephant, Bowie, (pronounced Boo-ee, 10) is the father-to-be.
Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals at 22 months from conception to birth. Newborn elephants can weigh 200-300 pounds at birth and are standing within minutes of being born.
Asian elephants are endangered, facing ever-changing environments and challenges including human-elephant conflict that threatens the species’ survival. The Oklahoma City Zoo works with global conservation partners and supports ongoing research to ensure a sustainable future for Asian elephants. The OKC Zoo also participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for Asian elephants. AZA’s SSP programs are cooperatively managed programs to oversee species populations within AZA accredited zoos and aquariums. The Asian elephant SSP made the breeding recommendation for Rex and Asha as well as Achara and Bowie.
The Oklahoma City Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, the Zoo is open daily at 8:30 a.m. for ZOOfriends with current memberships. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.
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