Pa. elephant sanctuary to start breeding in summer

The Associated Press

FAIRHOPE, Pa. – Officials at a southwestern Pennsylvania sanctuary run by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium say they hope to begin breeding captive elephants next summer.

Barbara Baker, the zoo’s chief executive, says officials want to wait until then because normal gestation for elephants is 22 to 24 months. By waiting until summer, the calves should be born during warmer weather in April, May or June of 2012, instead of winter.

Jackson, an African bull elephant, will be mated with two females at the 724-acre center in Fairhope Township, Somerset County.

But Baker has also traveled to obtain sperm samples from elephants in Africa, which might also be used to inseminate the female elephants.

Similar Posts:

• Philly elephants prepare for move to Pittsburgh zoo’s Somerset center
• Two Female Elephants Move To Pittsburgh Zoo’s ICC
• Officials Tour New Home of Last 2 Philly Zoo Elephants
• Nashville Zoo to Receive Two Elephants from Jackson Zoo
• Phila. Zoo 52 yr old elephant “Petal” dies