Birth of baby elephant is a miracle

Birth of baby elephant is a miracle An elephant calf that was believed to have died during a nine-day labor is feeding itself and has earned the nickname "Mr. Shuffles" since learning to stand, Taronga Zoo officials said in Sydney, Australia.

Keepers said Tuesday that the calf had died during the difficult labor, which started March 1.

"Despite no vital signs of life for several days, we now have obviously a healthy little calf on the ground," Taronga Zoo director Cameron Kerr told reporters Thursday.

He said the calf had turned upside down during the traumatic labor and may have entered a coma, fooling zoo vets into thinking it had died. When it was born at 3:27 a.m. on Wednesday, zoo officials called it a miracle.

New mother Porntip, 18 years old and the matriarch of the zoo herd, is being very gentle with her newborn, which weighs a healthy 256 pounds (116 kilograms), Kerr said.

"This little calf has been through an incredibly tough time," he said. "There is no record anywhere else in the world ... of a labor that has gone this long. There is no recording of a calf being absolutely still for several days like this."

 

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- Posted on March 12, 2010
Submitted by Molliee on Thursday, 09/29/2011 - 19:52.

In Sydney, Australia, a elephant calf ( Mr.Shuffles ) Was born after a long labor. The labor had started March 1, the zoo officials thought it was dead. The calf got flipped upside down and could of gone in a coma. But on Wednesday, at 3:27 am, the calf was born, and alive. I love to see spectacular stories just like this, they just get to my heart. So happy the calf lived!

Submitted by MeganLM on Friday, 05/20/2011 - 13:06.

I couldn't imagine being in labor for nine days, at lest the baby elephant is doing okay and it is not dead. It is a tricky little one if it was in a coma and the zoo's vet thought it was dead. Good thing the mother is being genital with it.

Submitted by elora15U453 on Tuesday, 05/10/2011 - 11:19.

That is one lucky elephant. That most be one long labor for the mother of the baby. The picture of the baby look scary. Then aging that baby is lucky.

Submitted by emmas10 on Tuesday, 05/03/2011 - 14:03.

It is so interesting that the elephant was still for several days! I can't believe that he lived, I also don't understand how everybody thought he was dead. I am happy that the elephant survived, even though he went through so much!

Submitted by coreyl99 on Thursday, 04/28/2011 - 12:38.

i think everything in babys are cuit but elaphant arnt but the family probably really loves him good life for his parents and have a good life by.

Submitted by Sammy5050 on Wednesday, 03/16/2011 - 14:03.

I cant beleive a baby elephant died then came back to life. Thats creepy!!!! The baby elephant is adorible by the way. i wonder if they are born with teeth???

Submitted by Edennis on Wednesday, 03/16/2011 - 08:57.

My friends and I love elephants they are so cute especially baby ones they are so responsible for there babies there so CUTE. My friend Isabelle would love to have a elephant for a pet a baby one not a big one because if she got a big one she would be as flat as a pancake.

Submitted by EmilyHol7 on Thursday, 01/27/2011 - 16:19.

The elephant Mom gave birth to a baby. What will the baby eat? will it drink milk? I think the mom will like to feed the baby the.

Submitted by victoriakaymarsh on Tuesday, 01/25/2011 - 16:35.

oh my gosh it died and like came back to life that is amazing fo real ........... i wonder if its gonna be like retarded or something like that

Submitted by soccerqueen1616 on Wednesday, 01/19/2011 - 19:30.

Holy cow that's awesome!!! I can't believe that elephant turned upsidedown during labor and lived!!!!!!! Is 18 old for an elephant? I have no clue!!!! But I know that it's young for people and old for dogs and cats!!!!