Born to Charissa & Comanche, Milwaukee County Zoo announces birth of elk

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Zoo announced Monday, August 1st the birth of a female elk calf, now on public exhibit in the outdoor Elk Yard.

According to a press release, the calf, who is not yet named, was born June 22 to mother, Charissa (6 years old) and father, Comanche (17 years old), with zookeepers recording a weight of 40 pounds at birth. At 17-years-old, Comanche is considered a mature father – but doing great! This is the first surviving calf for the pair.

Mother and baby spent the first two weeks in their own separate area, and mom continuously nursed and tended to her calf.  Zookeepers monitor the pair closely and report that the bond between them is strong.  After about two weeks, the calf began to follow mom around, and later was introduced to the exhibit and the rest of the elk herd.

The calf will nurse from mom for the first two to three months, and later will move on to eating hay, grass, leaves and young shoots of trees.

Milwaukee County Zoo announces birth of a female elk calf