Pittsburgh Zoo's Baby Elephant Said To Be Regaining Appetite, Personality

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PITTSBURGH (AP) - Officials at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium say a baby elephant's appetite is improving following insertion of a feeding tube to help it gain much-needed weight.

Zoo spokesperson Tracy Gray said the still-unnamed female calf is taking in more food through the tube "and she's also taking more bottles."

Our calf's appetite is coming back and we're beginning to see her feisty personality return! Visit https://t.co/4qaUdm6fle for updates.

— Pittsburgh Zoo (@PghZoo) August 26, 2017

On Saturday, the zoo posted on a blog devoted to the elephant that the baby had taken a short walk "and we're beginning to see her feisty personality return."

The baby was born prematurely in May at the International Conservation Center in Somerset County and was rejected by the mother, forcing the zoo to feed it with a bottle.

Officials said teething then led to diminished appetite, leaving the calf in critical condition and prompting insertion of the feeding tube.

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