Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner has announced that 10-year-old Asian Elephant Kulab is pregnant.

‘This is only the second elephant pregnancy in Melbourne Zoo's
146-year history, and it is a fantastic result for the new Regional Cooperative Breeding Program for this endangered species,' he said.

The pregnancy resulted from an artificial insemination procedure carried out in late November, with the Zoo's bull elephant Bong Su the donor.

The Zoo's elephant experts and veterinarians worked with the world-leading elephant reproductive specialists from the Berlin Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research to artificially inseminate Kulab, who is due to give birth in August or September 2010.

This successful international partnership previously achieved the artificially-inseminated pregnancy of 16-year-old Dokkoon, who is due in December 2009 or January 2010.

Kevin Tanner noted that the Zoo is exceptionally fortunate that the bull elephant Bong Su is so fertile, quite possibly the most fertile male Asian Elephant within the international zoo network.

‘Bong Su is not only the successful donor in both these pregnancies, but also for another pregnancy at Taronga Zoo.

‘Our elephant management team is working with the Berlin Institute on ground-breaking research into freezing elephant semen, which is aimed at making it possible to transport semen internationally to maintain and increase genetic diversity within elephant herds,' he said.

The Director explained that ‘our major focus now is to carefully monitor both pregnancies. To ensure that Kulab and Dokkoon remain active, their keepers have developed a special exercise program that will keep them fit, flexible, and strong.

‘It will be very exciting to watch two elephant calves so close together in age, playing and growing up together in this award-winning exhibit.'

Kevin Tanner emphasised that the drop in Asian Elephant populations throughout their home range states makes conservation efforts on their behalf increasingly important: ‘We are also supporting in-situ conservation work in South-east Asia which benefits this magnificent species.'