For the first time in its 145-year history, Melbourne Zoo is home to a pregnant elephant, 15-year-old Dokkoon, but as elephant pregnancies last for 22 months there is still a long way to go. (read the latest updates on our blog here)

The ultrasound confirming the pregnancy was carried out on May 31st by fertility specialists from the Berlin-based Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, working in close cooperation with Melbourne Zoo’s veterinarians and keepers. (watch the video of the first ultrasound here)

Senior Elephant Keeper Dave McKelson and his team are planning to keep Dokkoon very fit, with lots of exercise over the coming months as the pregnancy develops. (watch the video about Dokkoons exercise routine here)

The Trail of the Elephants exhibit was designed to accommodate a growing herd, with two barns, slopes suitable for sleeping on, and three pools in three interlinked paddocks, providing plenty of scope for elephants to mingle, exercise, nap, and relax.

Dokkoon is the oldest of the three females that arrived at Melbourne Zoo from Thailand in November 2006, when five other young Thai elephants arrived at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

The Zoo’s elephant herd is made up of the bull Bong Su (aged 34), the herd matriarch Mek Kapah (35), and the three young females from Thailand: Dokkoon (15), Kulab (9), and Num-Oi (7).