PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The Oregon Zoo's pregnant Asian elephant is now in the final stage of her pregnancy, and the zoo's elephant family could have a new member between late October and the end of the year.
Though Rose-Tu has already been pregnant for 16 months, the gestation period for elephants is around 20 to 22 months.
The zoo's 17-year-old elephant gave birth to Samudra in 2008, and zoo veterinarian Mitch Finnegan said everything is going according to plan so far.
"Rose-Tu has been through this before, and she's doing great," Finnegan said. "Right now, all we can do is make sure she maintains a healthy weight and gets plenty of exercise."
SLIDESHOW: Rose-Tu at 16 months pregnant
Zookeepers believe Rose-Tu's calf was conceived around Feb. 22, 2011, when they observed breeding activity between her and Tusko, the 13,000-pound, 40-year-old bull elephant who fathered Samudra.
Sixteen months later, it's still tough to spot Rose-Tu's baby bump.
"For many wild animals," Finnegan said. "The signs of pregnancy are a lot less obvious than they are in humans."
The zoo's elephant experts said the birth is no sure thing, and that there are a number of complications that could play a factor. During Samudra's birth, Rose-Tu nearly trampled the baby. Keepers intervened to save the elephant's life, and zoo staff worked around the clock for a week to ensure the mother-calf bond became strong.
Samudra's birth was the first elephant birth at the zoo since Rose-Tu herself in 1994.
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