PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium’s baby elephant has died, zoo officials announced Wednesday.
“Our hearts are broken, it’s just devastating,” Dr. Barbara Baker, the zoo’s president and CEO, said. “She touched so many people in such a short time. We did everything we possibly could to care for her, but unfortunately in the end, it just wasn’t enough.”
As the zoo staff and the public are mourning the loss of the baby elephant. Here is a look back on her short life.
MAY 3, 2017
Pittsburgh Zoo officials announce one of the Zoo's Botswana elephants at the International Conservation Center, 21-year-old Seeni, is pregnant. Delivery is expected in mid-summer 2017.
MAY 31, 2017
The calf was born May 31, one month premature. She weighed 184 pounds and was 32 inches at her shoulder. Normally, an elephant calf weighs between 207-290 lbs. at birth.
July 7, 2017
The calf makes his first public appearance in the family elephant room at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
PHOTOS: Pittsburgh Zoo introduces elephant calf to public
July 13, 2017
The baby elephant starts spending time with the elephant herd off exhibit.
July 24, 2017
The elephant calf starts teething and was not herself. She was removed from the exhibit.
AUGUST 23, 2017
Zoo officials announced the elephant calf is in critical condition. She stopped eating and was not gaining weight because of the side effects of teething. She undergoes surgery to have a feeding tube put in place.
AUGUST 24, 2017
Zoo staff said the procedure went well and the baby was up and moving around. She was receiving feedings through the feed tube and her GI Track was operating normally.
AUGUST 25, 2017
Zoo officials said the elephant calf is up and moving around. She was being fed formula through her feeding tube every four hours. She was taking a bottle of Nan’s milk.
AUGUST 26, 2017
Zoo staff reported the elephant calf’s appetite has returned and she was eating more through her feeding tube and with the bottle. She took a short walk. Her feisty personality started to return.
AUGUST 30, 2017
Pittsburgh Zoo staff announced the passing of the elephant calf. Zoo officials made the decision to euthanize the calf and she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family of dedicated keepers.
In a release, Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium officials said, "The Zoo wishes to thank all those who have expressed their support, prayers, and well wishes for the little calf over the past several months."
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