Saint Louis Zoo celebrates birth of fourth-generation baby elephant
The Saint Louis Zoo had a big addition that showed up over the weekend.

ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo had a big addition that showed up over the weekend.
“This is the first calf we’ve had born (through) artificial insemination, which is very exciting, and it’s also the start of our fourth generation of elephant family here,” curator mammals and ungulates River’s Edge Tim Thier said.
Almost two years after the mom, Jade, became pregnant, the zoo welcomed baby Jett.
“Asian elephants are endangered in the wild,” Saint Louis Zoo Vice President Animal Care Regina Mossotti said. “So being able to work on conservation efforts and creating a sustainable population in zoos is very important. Seeing how tough artificial insemination and breeding is across zoos, we’re really proud of this.”
Monday, members of the Asian elephant family, Ellie, Priya, and Maliha, playfully pushing a ball, welcoming this new addition in Forest Park.
St. Louisans are familiar with Raja, the now-grown Asian elephant who bounced onto the scene at the zoo 32 years ago. Now, Grandpa Raja’s lineage carries on in grandson Jett and a long line of an endangered species that have called St. Louis home for four generations.
“It’s a great example of collaboration and how working together to make these populations sustainable,” Thier added.
Following a gemstone theme, Jett’s mom is Jade, his great-grandparents are Pearl and Onyx.
For now, Jade and Jett are bonding in the barn before eventually meeting the rest of the Asian elephant herd.
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