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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 28, 2012)
November 28. 2012 ^ o rtla n h (©bseruer Page 15 Arts V f N r T iiiitr fD l m si Boss Hogg Christmas Tree Lot Í s C X X’X V, Oregon Zoo veterinary technician Margot Monti (left) and veterinarian Mitch Finnegan use a portable ultrasound machine to examine Asian elephant Rose-Tu. B aby Elephant Watch Birth of Rose-Tu’s second calf due Rose-Tu is about to go into labor. On Monday, the Oregon Zoo said there were indications the Asian elephant was preparing to give birth and they expect the baby to arrive in around three days or so. Being the doc on call when an elephant goes into labor is not a job fo r the fa in t-h e a rte d . M itch Finnegan, the zoo’s senior veteri narian, knows: He was present 18 years ago at the birth of Rose-Tu, and four years ago at the birth of Samudra, her first calf. “That last birth easily took a year off my life,” Dr. Finnegan said. “I hope this one goes easier.” Samudra, bom Aug. 23,2008, had a rough start to life. Topping 280 pounds at birth, he was a large baby, which contributed to a long and difficult labor for Rose-Tu. Rose- Tu, who had never experienced a birth before, became confused and agitated after delivering her baby, which can happen with first-time mothers. Keepers quickly intervened to prevent any harm to the baby. They then worked around the clock dur ing the c a lf s first week oflife to help ensure the critical mother-calf bond became a strong one. “This time, we think things will go much better,” Finnegan said. For months, the zoo’s elephant- care staff has been working with Rose-Tu to ensure she is calm, com fortable and confident on the big day. All that training and prepara tion — along with Rose-Tu’s own experience as a mother, the pres ence of other elephants and the staff who has cared for her for years — give Rose-Tu the best possible chances for the outcome everyone is hoping for: a healthy, strong calf. The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its successful breed ing program for Asian elephants, which has now spanned 50 years. Rose-Tu’s mother, Me-Tu, was the second elephant bom at the zoo (just months after Packy in 1962), and her grandmother, Rosy, was the first elephant ever to live in Oregon. Cheers for Holiday Ales While eggnog and hot toddies are commonly associated with the holidays, it’s no surprise that in the beer Mecca of the Pacific Northwest, craft ales are the drink of choice: specifically, big, bold ales designed to fend off the cold chill of a long winter night. The 17th annual Holiday Ale Festival gathers together more than four dozen of these winter warmers for a joyous five-day celebration, Wednesday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 2 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, downtown. heaters create a cozy ambiance beneath the boughs of the region's largest decorated Christmas tree. In addition to beer tasting, the festival also features on-site food, event mer chandise, a coat check for charity, and seasonal background music. To enter and consume beer, the purchase of an entry package is required. The general admission package at the door costs $30 and includes the 2012 tasting mug and 10 The Holiday Ale Festival takes place at taster tickets Pioneer Courthouse Square. XMAS TREES Any Doug Fir 5-7 ft. $20.00 Any Grand Fir 5-7 ft. $20.00 Any Nobel Fir 5-7 ft. $30.00 6500 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. On the comer of: MLK Jr. & Rosa Park WANT A FOR 2013? ACT NOW!! 50% Off Attorney Fees (Offer Expires December 31, 2012) • Ch 7 No-Asset Bankruptcy....Save $750 • Uncontested Divorce....... Save $1,500 • Expunge Criminal Records...Save $175 CALL TODAY for ATTORNEYS Y our C onsultation (503) 2 8 8 -5 5 2 2 www. p eterso n lev in e. com
