The first elephant in history to undergo a Caesarean section has developed peritonitis, an abdominal infection, and may not survive, a spokesman at the San Diego Wild Animal Park said Wednesday.
Jean, a 19-year-old Asian elephant, was in critical condition Tuesday after she suddenly developed peritonitis and refused to take liquids or food, said Tom Hanscom."She is severely dehydrated and incredibly weak. If she does not show a dramatic turnaround in the next 24 hours, we will probably lose her," said Hanscom.
Jean made elephant history twice this month. In early November she entered her third year of pregnancy, setting a new record for the longest elephant gestation. On Nov. 20, after her fetus was found to be dead and decomposing, she underwent an unprecedented Caesarean section.