For Release:
November 19, 2003
Contact: Nancy
Furlow
202-673-4840
THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL CELEBRATES D.C.’S BIGGEST TODDLER’S BIRTHDAY IN "KANDULA: AN ELEPHANT STORY"
On November 25, 2001, the Smithsonian’s National
Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. witnessed a scientific
milestone when one of their female elephants, Shanthi,
gave birth to Kandula, their first-ever captive male
Asian elephant conceived through artificial insemination.
In KANDULA:
AN ELEPHANT STORY, premiering Sunday, November
23, from 9-10 p.m., the Discovery Channel presents
a one-hour special that follows Kandula’s first
year of life. This Discovery Channel Quest initiative
tells his story from the pioneering science that made
his conception possible, to his breathtaking birth
and through the National Zoo’s fervent efforts – funded
in part by Discovery – to keep Kandula healthy.
Shanthi, Kandula’s mother, came to the National
Zoo as a gift from the children of Sri Lanka in 1976.
She is among the last generation of zoo elephants born
in the wild. In the special, viewers hear about Shanthi’s
first baby born in 1993, a female named Kumari, and
how 16 months after her birth, Kumari suddenly fell
ill and died. Although tragic, Kumari’s death
would save many other lives by exposing a silent killer – endotheliotropic
herpesvirus (EEHV), a malady that had never been identified
prior to Kumari’s passing.
The program documents the Zoo’s numerous attempts to have Shanthi conceive
a second time through artificial insemination (AI). Viewers learn of a fortunate
discovery by Dr. Janine Brown, a reproductive endocrinologist, who found that
elephants have two hormonal surges prior to ovulation. This revelation enabled
Dr. Brown to precisely pinpoint the release of Shanthi’s egg and ease
the AI process.
Viewers also learn how a German biologist working at the Zoo was instrumental
in Shanthi’s conception. Thomas Hildebrandt invented a new catheter outfitted
with a fiber-optic camera, which allowed for precise placement of harvested
semen. Once it was determined when Shanthi’s egg would release, the AI
was scheduled and the hope of conception was realized. Three months later,
it was confirmed that Shanthi was pregnant.
The program takes viewers through Kandula’s birth – the
healthy baby elephant came into the world at 324 lbs,
head up and staring at his keepers. Kandula was named
after the most famous elephant in Sri Lanka’s
history; the original Kandula being known for his courage,
strength and loyalty.
Viewers watch as Kandula is regularly checked for the
herpesvirus, along with other potentially fatal infections
and diseases. Kandula’s handlers taught him early
on to allow them to check his tongue – three
times a day – as discoloration of the tongue
is one of the initial signs of disease. Dr. Laura Richman
was a resident at the Zoo when Kumari died and she
devoted her doctorate to solving the mysterious death
of the baby elephant. Dr. Richman developed a groundbreaking
test that determines if an elephant has been exposed
to the herpesvirus. Although a cure still eludes scientists,
detecting exposure allows for quarantine and treatment
and the experimental use of drugs that have saved some
exposed elephants’ lives.
KANDULA: AN ELEPHANT STORY is produced by Rocket Pictures
for the Discovery Channel. For Rocket Pictures, Jim
Berger and Karen Weiser are co-executive producers.
For the Discovery Channel, Maureen Lemire is executive
producer.
Discovery Channel is one of the United States’ two largest cable television
networks, serving 87.7 million households across the nation with the finest
in informative entertainment. Discovery Networks, a division of Discovery Communications,
Inc., operates and manages Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel,
Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids Channel, The Science Channel TM, Discovery
Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery Civilization Channel, Discovery Wings
Channel, and Discovery en Espanol. The unit also markets and distributes BBC
America.
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Images available at www.press.discovery.com, contact
Barbara Cvrkel, 240-662-2928
Barbara_cvrkel@discovery.com
