Zola, Colchester Zoo » Colchester Zoo

Zola, Colchester Zoo
11-03-2008

Hi, does anyone know any news of Zola (African elephant)? She was due to give birth weeks and weeks ago?

12-03-2008

The zoo still don't know anything, I'm guessing if she shut down the birthing process last time, she may be producing enough stress hormones to delay it (if this is even possible, I know very little about elephants), but then is there even a precedent for inducing a birth in elephants? Hopefully, timing is still within the healthy window for them not to be worried. Judging by their site, Colchester appear to be one of the few establishments that do not gloss over the reality of a large collection of animals, so even bad news will probably be posted if indeed that is the case.

12-03-2008

Colchester are to be commended for their 'warts and all' newsletters. Other zoos should follow their lead.

12-03-2008

Yes, they're about the only Uk collection(apart from Cotswold) which are brave enough to publish deaths/illnesses as well as all the good news e.g. births and arrivals. Most zoos only do that if it can't be avoided, e.g. loss of a very well known 'favourite' animal.

01-04-2008

Any news yet on Zola giving birth?? The fact that it hasn't happened yet must be a very bad sign on the bright side the due date may be wrong but with all these sophisticated methods used nowadays i doubt that would happen

11-04-2008

Colchester zoo have announced that the calf that Zola was carrying has died

Colchester Zoo Sadness Over Elephant Baby (from Gazette)

11-04-2008

I doubt they will try to breed from her again in that case. I hope she can give birth to the dead calf without any problems for her health developing.

Does this leave Tanya as the only viable female? Is Opal post-reproductive, or is it that she hasn't so far concieved?

13-04-2008

Thats extremly sad news about the calf.