Houston Zoo Announces Asian Elephant Is Pregnant

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Zoo made a Mother's Day announcement Friday, going public with the news that its Asian elephant Tess is pregnant. The 35-year-old Asian elephant will give birth this summer after a two-year gestation period.

Tess is already mom to Tucker (13) and Tupelo (7). Zoo officials said on the zoo blog that they are optimistic that the pregnancy is advancing normally and that Tess will give birth in the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat cow barn.

After delivery, Tess and her calf will undergo post-natal exams and spend several days bonding behind the scenes before making a public debut.

Last July, the zoo welcomed Joy, an elephant calf born weighing 305-pounds to mother Shanti. Joy now weighs nearly 1,300-pounds, and is thriving as she approaches her first birthday.

A portion of each zoo admission and membership goes to protecting wild elephants in Asia, the zoo said on its website. The Bornean elephant population has increased since the Houston Zoo started its support in 2007.

Images via Houston Zoo