voi2
Indonesia Shared

8.1.10

Strictly trunks dancing: the German zoo that puts elephants through ante-natal classes

With perfect precision and poise, this is a heavyweight dance line-up that would impress Arlene Phillips.

But there's a serious purpose to the act, as this band of pregnant elephants are exercising as part of their zoo's ante-natal classes.

The mums-to-be have to do a daily workout as well as being walked by their keepers three to five miles each day to stay in trim. 


Pregnant elephants
Jumbo jive: Five pregnant elephants, joined by two babies on the right, do their exercises at Hamburg zoo

The routine is so popular that two baby elephants, Tarak and Shanti on the furthest right, have joined in the fun as well.
The elephants are expected to give birth between April and November this year at their zoo in Hanover, Germany.
Meanwhile in Australia, Dr Thomas Hildebrant was flown in from Berlin to oversee the final days of Asian elephant Dokkoon's pregnancy. 

Dokkoon
Last minute preparation: Zoo Keeper Steve Blanchard, takes Asian elephant Dokkoon through some birthing exercise at Melbourne Zoo

Zoo keeper Steve Blanchard also took Dokkoon through some birthing exercises during the final stage of her pregnancy.
Stillbirths are common among elephants, who experience difficult labours, sometimes resulting in the baby becoming stuck between the womb and the pelvis. Some captive elephants have been discovered to carry mummified remains in their wombs for years.


Dokkoon
Straining hard: Dokkoon stretches to strengthen muscles to help her through her labour 


While emergency Caesareans have been attempted, the procedure is always at the expense of the life of the mother.
These elephants are being put through their regimen of stretching and strengthening exercises, designed to ensure that their calves do not grow too big and to help them build up the muscles they will rely on during labour.

Elephants in captivity usually have their legs tethered during labour to prevent them from hurting themselves or their handlers. Once the delivery is complete, mother and calf are given space and privacy to bond.

TopOfBlogs
Cultural Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory
Page Ranking Tool

Check Page Rank of your Web site pages instantly:

This page rank checking tool is powered by Page Rank Checker service

 
Indonesia Headlines. Design by Wpthemedesigner. Converted To Blogger Template By Anshul Tested by Blogger Templates. News. Free Ebooks. Tourism. Celebrities. Movie. Unique. Science. Techno. World Record. Entertainment. Health. seo. Bali.