Recent Elephant Births

As native habitats dwindle and pressures on wild elephant populations increase, the role of captive breeding becomes ever more critical to the future survival of Asian and African elephants. In recent years, elephant breeding programs in North America and Europe have become more successful, producing healthy offspring and increasing our knowledge about elephant reproductive physiology, thereby contributing to captive sustainability and the conservation of the species in the wild. The opportunity to produce and rear calves is an exciting and enriching experience for elephants in human care, and the knowledge gained through these efforts may benefit wild elephants as much or more.

We celebrate the most recent additions to our elephant population.

Elephant named Devi Kali from Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park, Nepal gave birth to twin baby elephants. It was on November 6, 2008, Nepal hosted life to wonderful creatures. Both babies are male. First baby was born at 11:00 PM. All the elephant handlers were working for the care of the first baby but they were surprised when after four hours at 3: 00 AM of November 7, another baby was born. The news of twins born was gift for everybody and all are happy with it. Elephant handlers are very much delighted with the new babies and are committed to look after them. This is the first time that elephant have given birth to twins in Nepal.

Both babies were in good health and are prime attraction of tourists in Chitwan. Now, babies are enjoying life, playing each other and suckling mother milk. It is really wonderful to watch them. These babies are named as "Ram Gaj" and "Laxman Gaj" after the name of hindu brother gods. Devi kali is now paid special attention and care. In recent times, elephants are breeding excellently in Nepal. Elephant in different parks are now giving babies and in almost all cases, breeding is done by wild dominant bulls.

Government of Nepal has established Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park for the elephant breeding. Here, cow elephants are mainly sired by dominant male wild elephant. These twins babies were sired by a wild elephant called "Romeo". People named him as he was regular visitor in the center. Later these babies are trained and used for conservation purpose. There are around 200 captive elephants in Nepal. Around 100 of them are owned by Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation and 100 by private institutions. Elephants have socio-cultural and economic significance in Nepalese society. Government elephants are mainly used for the management of national parks. They are the backbone for the operation of these parks. Elephants are used for wildlife and park management; research; monitoring and for ecotourism. It is difficult to consider working parks without use of these wonderful animals.

Congratulatin to Devi Kali and dedicated people working for the conservation of these endangered species

Disney's Animal Kingdom
The Walt Disney World Resort welcomed Tsavo, a newborn calf, to the herd of African elephants at Disney's Animal Kingdom June 28, 2008. Twenty-six-year-old Moyo gave birth to a 327-pound male elephant. This newest addition is the heaviest elephant calf born at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The name "Tsavo" is in reference to an elephant park in Africa.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey
Center for Elephant Conservation
announces the arrival of their 20th calf!

Her name is Mable, a female Asian calf, born on April 6, 2006, birth weight was 295 lbs, height was 37 inches and length was 39 inches.

Mable's sire is Romeo, age 13, and dam is Shirley, age 11, and this is the second calf for each elephant. Both sire and dam were born into the conservation program at CEC.

For more info on Mable

African Lion Safari
announces its 10th Asian elephant birth!

His name is Logan, named after veteran elephant trainer Captain Fred Logan. He was born on April 13, 2006, and weighed 222 lbs.

Logan is the third calf for mom Lily, and second calf for father Rex. He was born head first, and began vocalizing as soon as his head was out, kind of like a cuckoo clock. Logan is the largest of Lily's three babies, the smallest being Piccolo, who weighed only 117 lbs at birth.

African Lion Safari
announces the 11th Asian elephant calf born at their facility!

Her name is Emily, she was born on April 23, 2006, and weighed 270 lbs.

Emily is the fourth calf for mother Kitty, who is the oldest member of the ALS herd, and the third calf for father Rex, who is the second oldest member of the herd. Emily currently holds the record at the facility for heaviest birth weight, beating runner-up Natasha by a mere two pounds. She is also the first female calf for mother Kitty, who has had previously had three male calves.

Indianapolis Zoo
announces the fourth calf born at their facility!

Her name is Zahara, born on August 31, 2006, and weighed 260 pounds.

Her mother is Ivory, and this is her second calf produced by artificial insemination. Her father is Ali from Jacksonville, Florida.

The calf joins a herd of seven at the zoo.