3rd try for baby elephant set for July at the zoo

Hogle Zoo is anxious for the return of two German scientists who, for the third time in a year, will attempt to artificially inseminate Christie, Hogle's 21-year-old African elephant.

The scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin flew in for the procedure in late March. Results of a blood test, however, show the attempt was unsuccessful.

Hogle is now hoping to fly the scientists back out to Salt Lake City for a July procedure.

"These things take time and several different attempts," said Holly Braithwaite, zoo spokeswoman. "The veterinary staff anticipates having to try several times."

Staff are hopeful this time around because they've been doing blood tests on Christie to track her ovulation cycle. Braithwaite said elephants have a small fertility window of three or four times a year when they can actually get pregnant. July is within Christie's 100-day window to get pregnant.

If the third artificial insemination attempt and ensuing pregnancy are successful, it would be the first time in 50 years that a baby elephant is born at the zoo.

Braithwaite said the team of Germans does elephant artificial inseminations in groups of three. Since this will be Christie's third attempt, Braithwaite did not know what the next step is after this try.

"We remain really optimistic that this next one will be a winner," she said. "It's going to take a really big stork."

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