Ueno Zoo is pleased to announce that the pregnancy of Asian Elephant, "Uthai," has been confirmed, as detailed below.

Asian Elephant "Uthai" (Date of photo: October 3, 2019)	Abdominal ultrasound image of Asian Elephant "Uthai" (Date of photo: September 23, 2019)

Pregnant Asian Elephant
Name: Utai
Sex: Female
Age 21
Biography: Born February 7, 1998 in Thailand.
Accepted into Ueno Zoological Gardens on October 11, 2002.

*Along with "Ati" (male), he was donated from the Kingdom of Thailand to the Japanese people as a token of friendship and was taken in by Ueno Zoo.

Pregnancy progress
In January 2019, Uthai (then 20 years old) and Ati (then 22 years old) were placed together for breeding purposes, and mating was confirmed once each on January 13th and 14th. Subsequently, Uthai's blood hormone (progesterone) levels, which had been measured regularly, began to rise around the end of February, and remained high even into April, contrary to what should have decreased if pregnancy had not occurred. Furthermore, an ultrasound examination conducted on September 23, 2019, confirmed the fetal skeleton and heartbeat, leading to the conclusion that she was pregnant.

Due date
The gestation period for Asian Elephant is said to be approximately 21 to 22 months. Based on the fact that mating was confirmed in January 2019, the birth is expected to occur around October or November 2020.

Current status of animal care at our zoo (as of October 10, 2019)
4 individuals (1 male, 3 females)
• Male "Atti" Born December 14, 1996 (22 years old)
Arrived at the park from Thailand on October 11, 2002.
- Female "Dayar" Date of birth unknown (estimated age 42)
Arrived from India on September 20, 1984.
"Surya" Date of birth unknown (estimated age 25)
Arrived from India on April 5, 2001.
"Utai" Born February 7, 1998 (21 years old)
Arrived at the park from Thailand on October 11, 2002.

Domestic breeding situation (as of December 31, 2018)
32 zoos and aquariums, 82 animals (21 males, 61 females)
Source: 2018 Domestic Pedigree Registry [Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums]

(October 10, 2019)