Ohio zoo announces Asian elephant is pregnant; baby expected in June

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new baby is on the way at Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

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According to WBNS, the attraction announced Tuesday that Phoebe, a 33-year-old Asian elephant, is pregnant with her fifth calf. The baby, whose father is 33-year-old Hank, is expected to arrive in June, the zoo said in a news release.

“Thanks to the incredible bond she shares with her care team, over the last several months, Phoebe has voluntarily participated in regular ultrasound imaging, which has enabled staff to monitor the calf’s development through the imaging,” the release said. “Ultrasound imaging is not used to determine the sex of elephant calves while in the womb, and the team will determine the sex of the calf when the calf is born. The zoo’s animal care team will continue to monitor Phoebe closely, and she will be tended to 24 hours a day during the later stages of her pregnancy.”

Zoo officials said Phoebe’s pregnancy, which is expected to last 22 months, has reached the third trimester, according to the release.

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