Vienna, Austria - August 16, 2024

Vienna Zoo celebrates a momentous occasion as news breaks of the first natural pregnancy in 21 years among its African steppe elephants. The zoo confirmed that an elephant cow, following successful mating with a 23-year-old bull brought from Halle Zoo for breeding purposes, is expecting. The pregnancy, monitored through hormone tests, has progressed well, with expectations set for the birth approximately a year from now.

Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, director of Vienna Zoo, expressed delight at the development: "Our long-term goal is to replicate the natural social structure of African elephants within our zoo, a critical initiative under the European Conservation Breeding Program."

The African elephant, classified as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, faces significant threats in the wild. Vienna Zoo's partnership with "Save the Elephants," an organization based in Nairobi, underscores their commitment to conservation efforts. Together, they study elephant behavior in Kenya's Samburu National Reserve, aiming to mitigate human-animal conflicts and preserve habitats crucial for the species' survival.

The impending birth at Vienna Zoo not only signifies a conservation milestone but also promises to enhance the social dynamics within the elephant herd, fostering learning and cohesion among its members. As the zoo anticipates further pregnancies among its elephants, the hope is to maintain a balanced age structure that mirrors natural matriarchal herds in the wild.

This development highlights the pivotal role of zoological institutions in safeguarding endangered species, offering hope for the future of African elephants both in captivity and in their native habitats.