Have Asian and African elephants ever been crossbred?

Emma058

"So when the Asian elephant cow "Sheba" in Chester Zoo, England, 1978 gave birth to a calf with an African elephant bull" Jumbolino" as father the scientists became puzzled. The staff had observed several matings between the elephants, but since a cross was impossible, noone expected a delivery. The male calf, named Motty, had an African elephants cheek, ears and back,while nail numbers, (5 front, 4 hind) and the single trunk finger were like Asians."http://www.elephant.se/Motty_the_elephant_crossbreed.php?open=Living%20Elephant%20Species This sensational elephant died two weeks after the birth. It was an early birth and Motty had stomach problems. Thres no real evidence however, that there is any genetical difference preventing this type of crossbreeding, since the two species has the same numbers of chromosomes. Feb 09 12, 6:36 AM