Motty

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Motty (* July 11, 1978 in Chester ; † July 21, 1978 ibid) was the only known hybrid of the two elephant species of the Asian ( Elephas maximus ) and African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ). In 1978 the Asian female elephant "Sheba" gave birth to a calf from the African bull elephant "Jumbolino" (England) in Chester Zoo . Several matings had been observed, but no one expected birth as crossbreeding seemed impossible.

Life

Mother "Sheba" came to Chester Zoo on February 13, 1965 at the age of nine. On October 26, 1974, she had a stillbirth of an Asian calf, her father was the Asian bull elephant "Nobby". The second pregnancy of "Sheba" was based on the mating with the African bull elephant "Jumbolino". The birth was induced on July 10, 1978 by the sudden discharge of a small amount of milky vaginal fluid. Then "Motty" was born on July 11, 1978 at 9:20 am.

From the size of the calf, it was concluded that it was premature . Vitamins and glucose were given. One day after the birth, Motty stood for the first time after the carers encouraged her to do so for almost 24 hours. Mother and child were reintegrated into the herd the following day, and finally Motty was able to go into the stable. On July 14, 1978, Motty was able to suckle from Sheba for the first time. Thereupon the bottle feeding was stopped.

On July 18, 1978, Motty developed a stomach infection that was treated with antibiotics. Forty-eight hours later, Motty appeared recovered, eating and sleeping normally. Three days later, on the morning of July 21, Motty was found lying in a coma and dying. An hour later, Motty died, although cardiac stimulation and artificial respiration were used to save him.

features

The bull calf Motty had characteristics of both elephant species. Its ears were large and shaped like those of an African elephant, as were the cheeks and neck. The trunk had deep folds (African) but only one finger on the tip, which is typical of Asian elephants, as well as the number of nails (5 in front, 4 in back).

The body was shaped like that of an African elephant, but the hump in the middle of the back indicated an Asian elephant. Motty had a sloping forehead (African) with small skull bumps behind (Asian). It had a long tail and slender legs like an African elephant.

The birth of Motty was a sensation. A cross between the two species of elephant seemed impossible, because the African elephant and the Asian elephant belong not only to two species, but also to different genera . Crosses between two individuals of different species within the same genus are usually sterile, those between individuals of two genera, if they are at all possible, almost always. Earlier attempts at crossing, for example at Dresden Zoo from 1930 to 1934, had failed.

Whereabouts

Motty has been prepared and exhibited in the Natural History Museum in London.

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