Woodland Park Zoo Press Release

SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo is sad to announce that 29-year-old Asian elephant Chai (rhymes with eye) had a miscarriage yesterday afternoon, during the first trimester of pregnancy. The elephant was artificially inseminated in January. The gestation of elephants is 22 months.

“ We are very disappointed and saddened by this outcome. As in all mammals, miscarriages are not uncommon, especially during the first trimester,” explained Woodland Park Zoo General Curator Dr. Nancy Hawkes. “Our priority is to focus on Chai. We are providing round-the-clock care and monitoring her closely. She’s eating, socializing and behaving normally, all positive signs that Chai is doing well.”

Per standard procedure, zoo Animal Health staff sent fetal tissue samples to pathology laboratories for analysis. According to Hawkes, it may take several weeks for the zoo to receive results, which may or may not explain the miscarriage.

Woodland Park Zoo’s herd of elephants is all female. In addition to Chai are: 41-year-old Bamboo, Asian; 39-year-old Watoto, African.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos all over the world. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.