The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have expanded its animal family with one – and it has plans to do the same before the end of the year.
A female Asian elephant calf was born at the Ohio -based attraction on Wednesday, July 23 at 4:26 am local time, according to a press release from the zoo.
The 215 pound. Baby was born in Sundara, aka 'Sunny', after a 22 -month pregnancy. The zoo said that both Sunny and her calf – who have not yet been given a name – “are doing well” and “currently binding behind the scenes”.
“The little one is breastfeeding, stays close to the mother and starts exploring with a curious tribe and wobbly steps,” the zoo added.
The organization then joked: “Although the trunk coordination can cost a little practice, the new arrival is already laid down hearts.”
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Grahm S. Jones/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The new baby Asian elephant and mother Sundara.
The father of the newborn elephant, Sabu, is currently in the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. He spent time in the Columbus Zoo during a temporary stay that was made possible by the association of zoos and aquariums types of Survival Plan Program, which focuses on “breeding specific animal species in captivity, which guarantees their survival and genetic diversity in the long -term”, according to its website.
Asian elephants are mentioned as threatened in South and Southeast Asia, their indigenous range, according to the Red List of endangered species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These animals suffer from habitat loss, relegation and poaching, and the International Elephant Foundation estimates that only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain on earth.
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The last addition marks the first of two planned elephant births in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2025. Phoebe, a 38-year-old Asian elephant, also expects a calf this fall, according to the zoo.
“This is an incredibly special moment for our entire team and community,” said Tom Schmid, the president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds in a statement. “The welcome of the Sunny calf is an exciting milestone and an important step forward in our constant dedication to the preservation of Asian elephants.
He added: “Every birth brings hope and reminds us why this work matters for the future of their kind.”
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