Yes it is a bit gruesome, but still fascinating. The story behind the collection is interesting, transcribed from label on the case, all sic...

"HISTORY OF FOETUSES ELEPHANT COLLECTION

There is a theory which suggests that the embryonic development of any animal represents a summation of its evolution throughout the centuries. In reality the similarity between the embryonic forms and the different phases of evolution are more apparent than the real. However, one things is certain initital stages the embryos of chick, a lizard or an elephant are actually very similar, and it is only in the later stages that the differentiation is apparent.

The museum "elepahants" collection is made up fourteen foetuses and clearly shows the anatomical transformation which takes place throughout the gestation period, which in this case is twenty-two months. The length period is justified of two reasons that the animal is very large as well as that it is a herbivore. This latter state is the necessary to complete development at birth, if the calf is to keep up with the progress of its parents.

The existence of this collection is due to the fact that, at the time of the First World War, the Agricultural of the colonial Government decide to "clean up" the area of south of Maputo for agricultural projects. To put this into effect, a team of hunters was established, led by the hunt supervisor Mr. Carreira.

During the "clean up" around two thousands elephants were killed, being the most plentiful species in the area. Fortunately the aforementioned Mr. Carreira had the happy inspiration to preserve in formaldehyde the foetuses he found. Nowadays it would be unthinkable to carry out such a slaughter.

To make matters worse in this crime, that area in question never gained any form of agricultural approval, it is from this sad event that there is today a unique collection in the World."