Now that the dangers of breeding Kallie and Bette are being exposed to the public,
the Philadelphia Zoo is backpedaling on its previously-stated plans to breed them.
However, it is revealing to consider what the zoo has said in the past - all within the past year - on breeding Kallie and Bette
(Kallie and Bette's value as breeding cows):
"Advocates say zoo populations constitute a kind of genetic ark for the future. Bette and Kallie are valuable because they were wild-caught in Zimbabwe and have not bred yet." Bauers, Sandy. "A Huge Problem," Philadelphia Inquirer, 29 Dec 2008
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/36820334.html?page=2&c=y
"Sometime next spring, the Philadelphia Zoo will send two of its female African elephants, Bette and Kallie, to the Conservation Center to breed." Hopey, Don. "Elephant Travels to Somerset County via the Pennsylvania Turnpike," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 18 Dec 2008.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08353/935934-85.stm
Watch this recent documentary made by a film student where local reporter Stu Bykofsky explains the Zoo's plans for Kallie and Bette are to breed them:
http://blip.tv/file/2039044/
"Weeks later, after Jackson is acclimated, he will be joined by Kallie and Bette, two female elephants from the Philadelphia Zoo. 'We want to get Jackson in and settled for a couple of weeks, then bring the Philadelphia elephants in,' (Pittsburgh Zoo president) Baker said.
Breeding could begin in the spring, she added.
Swauger, Kurt. "Somerset Conservation Center: First elephant to arrive within a month." Tribune Democrat, 26 Aug 2008.
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_239233934.html?keyword=topstory
"Another zoo resident will be headed to the center when it’s ready: 28-year-old Jackson, the most successful breeding bull in the country. He is to be bred with two females from the Philadelphia Zoo, 24-year-old Kallie and Bette, within eight months of their arrival in Somerset County."
Bal, Kecia. "Elephant barn nears completion." Tribune Democrat, 7 June 2008
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/archivesearch/local_story_159184843.html
LETTER FROM ZOO DIRECTOR VIK DEWAN SENT TO ZOO MEMBERS IN 2007:
"The Pittsburgh Zoo’s experience as one of the most successful African elephant programs in the country will maximize the opportunity for Bette and Kallie to become pregnant and raise calves . . . Both Dr. Baker and I agree that in the future, if circumstances permit, Kallie, Bette and their offspring could one day return to the Philadelphia Zoo."
http://philadelphia.metblogs.com/2007/04/26/an-elephant-update/
And here are more articles - from 2007 - where the zoo repeatedly detailed its plans to breed Kallie and Bette:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_533676.html
Jackson, the bull elephant, will be brought to the conservation center, where he would be bred with Kallie and Bette, who never have had calves.
"Our elephants are very dear to us, and we're excited that they can help further the cause of elephant conservation," said Vikram Dewan, president of the Philadelphia Zoo. "The Pittsburgh Zoo has one of the greatest programs for elephant conservation and husbandry in the country."
