Notes on the teeth and ovaries of an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) of known age

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Abstract
A captive female African elephant, known to be 27 years old, died as a result of trauma. Her growth rate was similar to that of other captive African elephants, and slightly greater than that of wild animals. The 5th molar was in full wear, and the 6th was just coming into wear. There was extensive dental caries of the labial, lingual and occlusal surfaces of the 5th molars, presumably due to the unnatural diet. The ovaries contained a number of large cystic follicles, and at least 50 regressing corpora lutea. These abnormalities are probably related to the fact that the elephant had never been mated.