**BREAKING: Oregon Zoo Elephant Pregnancy Sets New Record for Longest Gestation Period in Recorded History**
In a shocking turn of events, the Oregon Zoo announced today that their beloved Asian elephant, Rani, has given birth to a healthy baby girl after an astonishing 20 months and 3 weeks of pregnancy. Yes, you read that right – 20 MONTHS!
According to zoo officials, Rani’s pregnancy was so prolonged that the staff had to install a mini-fridge in her enclosure to keep her snacks from spoiling. “We had to start a betting pool to see how long it would take,” said zookeeper, Jane Smith. “Some of us thought she was going for a Guinness World Record.”
The baby elephant, named “Ella,” weighed in at a whopping 200 pounds and stood at an impressive 3 feet tall. When asked about the secret to her prolonged pregnancy, Rani simply trumpeted, “I’ve just been taking my time, enjoying the prenatal yoga classes, and eating lots of hay.”
The zoo has reported that Rani’s pregnancy was so long that she had to be issued a special “extended stay” parking permit. “We’re just glad that Ella is healthy and that Rani didn’t have to pay for a storage unit for her baby bump,” said zoo spokesperson, John Doe.
The Oregon Zoo has announced plans to celebrate this momentous occasion with a “Longest Pregnancy Ever” party, complete with cake, balloons, and a special appearance by the Guinness World Records adjudicator.
In related news, the zoo has also reported that Rani’s husband, Raj, has filed for parental leave to help care for the new baby. When asked about his plans, Raj simply said, “I’m just happy to be a dad and to finally get to change some diapers.”
