ABQ BioPark Heartbroken After Stillbirth of Elephant Calf

Rozie the Asian elephant at the ABQ BioPark gave birth to a stillborn calf early Tuesday morning following a normal, healthy pregnancy term. Rozie is stable and recovering under the close watch of her animal care and veterinary teams.

The gestation period for an Asian elephant is 18-22 months. Rozie’s delivery window began in mid-October at which time a team of volunteers and staff monitored her 24 hours a day. Rozie participated in daily ultrasounds, and her most recent blood values indicated birth was imminent. Rozie’s exams and behavior indicated healthy development of the calf with no sign of complications.

“Asian elephants are endangered, so every elephant birth is important.” said Amber Alink, ABQ BioPark Curator of elephants and primates. “We know how much our community cares about our herd and thank you for your compassion, understanding, and support as we care for Rozie and the herd as they, too, process this unexpected loss.”

At approximately 9 p.m. Monday evening, Rozie began showing signs of labor while staff watched remotely from another room in order to provide the most natural birth environment. The calf was delivered at 12:35 a.m. and showed no signs of motion. Rozie immediately began gently sniffing the calf and wiped off the amniotic sac with her trunk. She invited her mother, Alice, to inspect the calf as well. Rozie made several attempts to awaken the calf with nudges from her feet and trunk while Alice stood nearby. 

Animal care and veterinary staff made the decision to enter the birthing barn and called Rozie and Alice away from the calf. This is possible due to the deep bonds and trust that animal care staff have built with the elephant herd. Staff then confirmed the calf was not alive. A necropsy will be performed, though results may take several weeks and may not provide conclusive cause of death.

Rozie is recovering under the careful watch of her care team. She is remaining close to her mother Alice, which may be an indication of grief. She is eating and drinking normally, and staff are providing her with her favorite treats. 

Asian elephants are an endangered species, and wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation. This calf is a significant loss, not just for the BioPark and the Albuquerque community, but for the species as a whole.

The BioPark is a program partner for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Asian Elephant SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program. We are also designated as an Elephant Breeding Facility by the AZA Elephant Species Survival Plan and remain dedicated to doing our part to ensure the survival of Asian elephants.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the ABQ BioPark announce that Rozie was pregnant?

We announced Rozie's pregnancy on March 12, 2024.

When did birthwatch start?

Rozie's delivery window began in mid-October. The birth window for an Asian elephant is longer than a human and can last around three months. However, given Rozie's three past successful births, we expected her to deliver in early December.

What is the gestation period for Asian elephants?

The average gestation period for Asian elephants is 22 months.

What prenatal care had Rozie received?

As an experienced mother with a trusted animal care team who has worked with her for decades, Rozie received the highest level of prenatal care. This included frequent ultrasounds, voluntary blood draws and strength and flexibility training.

Were there any signs of an unhealthy calf?

No. The clinical testing and observation was all unremarkable and pointed to a normal, healthy birth, similar to her previous three healthy births. Ultrasounds were very frequent and normal. For comparison though, an ultrasound on a human vs. an elephant are very different. Elephants have very thick skin depending upon where the calf is positioned, the fidelity of what can be revealed is not always as high as what we are used to seeing in human ultrasounds.

What happened during Rozie’s birth?

At approximately 9 p.m. on Monday, December 9, Rozie began showing signs of labor while staff watched remotely from another room in order to provide the most natural birth environment.

The calf was delivered at 12:35 a.m. and showed no signs of motion. Rozie immediately began gently sniffing the calf and wiped off the amniotic sac with her trunk. She invited her mother, Alice, to inspect the calf as well. Rozie made several attempts to awaken the calf with nudges from her feet and trunk while Alice stood nearby.

Animal care and veterinary staff made the decision to enter the birthing barn and called Rozie and Alice away from the calf. This is possible due to the deep bonds and trust that animal care staff have built with the elephant herd.

The medical professionals immediately confirmed that the male elephant calf was stillborn. There were no signs of trauma.  The calf was also noticeably smaller than expected for a healthy Asian elephant calf.

What was the gender of the calf?

The calf was male.

When will we learn more about what happened?

A necropsy will be performed which may help provide some answers. The results, however, will take weeks. Also, sometimes, a necropsy can help to rule out causes, but may not necessarily indicate what the actual cause of death in utero was.

Who is the father of the calf?

Rozie’s pregnancy may be the result of natural breeding or artificial insemination, both of which occurred in February 2023. Paternity will be determined through a DNA test.

Was Rozie able to spend time with the calf?

Yes. Rozie did have the opportunity to spend time with the calf. She also invited Alice, her mother, as well.

Is Rozie okay?

Physically, Rozie was eating and drinking later in the day following the birth. She has a choice of where to be in her five acre habitat and has chosen to primarily remain in her climate controlled indoor private spaces. Rozie has also chosen to remain physically close to her mother Alice, which may be an indication of grief.

Will Rozie be bred again?

At this time, we do not know.  Our priority is Rozie’s health. When the time comes, elephant reproductive experts will examine Rozie to see if that would be a viable option. 

Asian elephants are an endangered species, and wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation. This calf is a significant loss, not just for the BioPark and the Albuquerque community, but for the species as a whole.

The BioPark is a program partner for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Asian Elephant SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program. We are also designated as an Elephant Breeding Facility by the AZA Elephant Species Survival Plan and remain dedicated to doing our part to ensure the survival of Asian elephants.

Is there anything that could have been done differently that could have saved this calf?

No. Rozie is an experienced mother who has had three previously successful births. Her prenatal care was comprehensive. She voluntarily participated in frequent ultrasounds and bloodwork and all clinical signs pointed to a normal birth.  We do not know if the calf was ever viable or at what point in the pregnancy before birth that it was no longer alive.

What does this loss mean for the elephant diagnostics laboratory?

In November of 2023, the ABQ BioPark announced an investment in the future of elephants.

We now have the lab almost finished and staff is ramping up. The BioPark remains committed to being a regional resource for experts in the field and help other accredited zoos in surrounding states with quicker response times for routine and emergency EEHV testing for the elephants. We will also be using the lab to monitor our adult elephant population.

Is there any connection between EEHV and the stillborn calf?

No. There is no connection between elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, or EEHV, and this unfortunate loss. An elephant in utero is essentially provided with antibodies to EEHV from its mother. Rozie herself has antibodies to EEHV.

What can I do to help?

Thank you for thinking of us and our animal care team. They are heartbroken that after almost two years of preparation and hope, the calf was lost.  Right now, the best way to offer support is to educate yourself on the threats facing Asian elephants. https://www.aza.org/elephant-conservation/