The staff at Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence are celebrating a recent addition to their animal family.

 

On October 6th, zoo staff noticed one of their elks named Ellie was in labor. After some observation, staff determined Ellie was in trouble and called in a vet to help deliver the calf. The female was delivered safely, though Ellie had to be sedated for the birth. The sedation required the new calf to be removed for bottle feeding. After some tense days, the calf began feeding normally and staff reports that both Ellie and her baby are doing well. The new calf will remain behind the scenes at the zoo until she is weaned and can be introduced to the larger herd.

 

The calf will be named either Olive or Annie based on voting at the Zoo over the weekend. Zoo staff have not yet announced the new baby’s name.

 

 

 

Photos courtesy Ralph Mitchell Zoo