Pregnant elephant at Houston Zoo miscarries

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's a sad news to report about a pregnant Asian elephant at the Houston Zoo that we reported on last month. The elephant, Tess, miscarried two fetuses overnight.

Tess was halfway though her gestation when she miscarried. It was after the miscarriage that zoo officials say they discovered that she was carrying two calves.

According to Houston Zoo officials, twin pregnancies in Asian elephants is very rare and survival rate after birth of the calves is unlikely.

"Twins increase the chance of fetal loss in all species, including Asian elephants," said Dr. Dennis Schmitt, DVM, PhD, from Missouri State University. "In Asian elephants, twins may share a common blood source which can compromise the health of the calves. Twins can also present complications in delivery and compromise the health of the mother."

Last month, we reported on how Houston Zoo officials were putting Tess on a diet, saying she needed to lose around 500 pounds before her 2015 due date.