Zoo conducts first reproductive assessment of all three elephants.  Monitoring of the elephants’ reproductive cycles through frequent blood tests continues to present.

Zookeepers begin a daily regimen of training and conditioning to gradually get the elephants comfortable with accepting a rectal probe to allow for an internal ultrasound of the reproductive tract and, eventually, insertion of a urogenital tube for the actual artificial insemination procedure.  (Because of the elephant’s sheer size, an exterior ultrasound scan is ineffective.)

Dr. Dennis Schmitt, DVM PhD, Board Certified Veterinary Reproductive Specialist from Missouri State University, performs ultrasound reproductive evaluations on all three elephants.  Dr. Schmitt, one of the world’s foremost elephant reproductive specialists, will eventually also perform the actual insemination – he is one of only two people in the world capable of performing this procedure.

During the ultrasound exam, Dr. Schmitt examines the structure of the elephants’ ovaries and uterus and looks for cysts and other abnormalities.  “Alice” is determined to be the best candidate based on a number of factors including the predictability of her cycle and behavior that would indicate she would make a good mother.

About Alice:

• Born approximately 1985
• Came to the U.S. from Zimbabwe in 1987
• Lived at Metro Zoo in 1988
• Came to Roger Williams Park Zoo in October, 1990
• Alice places third in the herd dynamics among the three elephants at RWPZ
• Weighing in at 7,909 pounds, Alice is the smallest of the three elephants
• Of the three, Alice typically learns new behaviors and training most quickly

Training of the elephants to accept the probe and AI procedures is deemed to have progressed to the point where the elephants are comfortable and ready.

Four male elephants (called “bulls”) are identified as potential sperm donors based on recommendations from the AZA African Elephant SSP (Species Survival Plan) coordinators.  They are:

• “Ali” at Jacksonville Zoo
• “Jack” at Pittsburgh Zoo
• “Bulwagi” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• “Maclean” at Indianapolis Zoo

Zoo staff receives blood test results suggesting Alice is nearing ovulation.  The first of two peaks in leutenizing hormone has occurred and the second peak, which coincides with ovulation, is expected to happen in 19-20 days.

RWPZoo staff contacts each of the four zoos where the sperm donor bulls are located to alert them of the date the AI procedure will take place.

One AI will be attempted with Alice on each of these three days (centered around her most likely day of ovulation, February 4).  Two of the zoos where the donor males have been identified will attempt to collect and send a sperm sample on each of the three days that an insemination attempt will take place.  The bulls’ samples are collected first thing in the morning and examined for quality (sperm counts, motility, etc.) before being flown to RWPZ.

The first of three AI attempts is performed on Alice. 

Early Morning:
One of two male elephants is able to provide a sperm sample.  The sample must be used by the end of the day as the quality will be compromised after that point.  The sample is flown to the zoo in a special container (kept cool, but cannot be frozen). 

Mid-Afternoon:
The sample arrives at the zoo.  Dr. Schmitt performs a second examination of the sample under a microscope to confirm that it still meets quality standards (counts, motility, etc.)  The sample is found to be usable. 

Approximately 4 p.m.:
Dr. Schmitt begins the AI procedure.  The procedure was carried out as follows:

• A catheter is inserted into Alice’s urogenital canal to help guide an endoscope which allows visualization of the reproductive tract through a small camera. 
• A catheter is inserted within the endoscopic tube.  The sperm is injected through this catheter into the reproductive tract and deposited for insemination. 

Early Morning:
One of two elephants is able to provide a sample; it is flown to the zoo. 

Early Afternoon:
Dr. Schmitt repeats ultrasound examination of all three elephants to obtain an updated reproductive assessment.

3 p.m.:
The sample arrives at RWPZ and is examined by Dr. Schmitt under the microscope.  Unfortunately, the AI procedure does not take place because the sperm sample is deemed unusable due to insufficient motility.

The last of three AI attempts is to be performed on Alice.

Early Morning:
One of two elephants is able to provide a sample.

Approximately 7:30 p.m.:
The sample arrives at the zoo.  Dr. Schmitt performs a second examination of the sample under a microscope to confirm that it still meets quality standards (counts, motility, etc.) Unfortunately, the AI procedure does not take place because the sperm sample is deemed unusable.

Zoo staff will begin looking for signs that pregnancy has occurred through one or more of the following methods:

• 8 – 10 weeks after AI:
  the fetus may be visualized by performing a transrectal ultrasound
• 12 – 16 weeks after AI:
  A persistent elevation of the hormone progesterone
• 6 months after AI:
  Elevation of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production
• 9 months after AI:
  the fetus may be visualized by performing a transabdominal ultrasound

If pregnancy has occurred, the total gestation period will be approximately 22 months – the longest gestation time of any mammal.