HOUSTON -- The Houston Zoo waits anxiously for the new addition to its elephant community, News2Houston reported.

Zookeepers are keeping close watch on Shanti, a 13-year-old Asian elephant soon to give birth after 22 months of pregnancy

Shanti and the father, Ty, bred in the summer of 2002. The average gestation period is 19 to 22 months. As the baby's due date nears, both zoo employees and visitors have put themselves on "baby watch."

"There had been a pool of bets going on when it's going to be born," said Karen Gibson, the zoo's elephant manager. "But that's had to be revised a couple of times."

In the mean time, Shanti calmly cools herself off with water while waiting for the arrival of her 325-pound bundle of joy.

Shanti is one of only 300 Asian elephants in North American zoos.

Zoo officials predict that if the current mortality and birth rate continues, these endangered animals will be extinct by 2049. They hope the birth of a healthy baby calf will be a small step in recovering the elephants' dwindling population.

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Houston Zoo: Shanti - Baby Elephant Update