The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

It’s a Girl! African Elephant Newborn on Exhibit at San Diego Zoo

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Ele runs 

Just hours after her birth on August 28, a baby African Elephant
made her public debut at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The female calf was
born at 3:39 a.m. to the Safari Park's matriarch, Swazi. The baby was on her
feet within a few minutes of birth; her first tentative steps were captured on the video below. The calf was
born on exhibit so when the Park opened at 9 a.m., guests were already able to
see Swazi and her newborn!

Mom and baby are doing well and spending these first days bonding. They can be seen daily at the Park's elephant habitat or you can watch them live via the ElephantCam on the Park's web site or Safari Park iPhone app. The average gestation period for African Elephants is 649 days — or 22 months. A newborn elephant normally weighs between 200 to 268 pounds (90-121 kg); this little calf weighed in at 205 pounds (92 kg). 

The Safari Park is now home to 13 elephants – 4 adults and 9 youngsters. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland, where they faced being culled. A lack of space and long periods of drought created unsuitable habitat for a large elephant population in the small southern African country. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, elephant studies are underway on nutrition, daily walking distance, growth and development and bio-acoustic communication. Since 2004, San Diego Zoo Global has contributed $30,000 yearly to Swaziland's Big Game Parks to fund programs like anti-poaching patrols, improve infrastructure and purchase additional acreage for the Big Game Parks. 

Ele 1


Ele side trunk
Photo Credits: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo

 

6 responses to “It’s a Girl! African Elephant Newborn on Exhibit at San Diego Zoo”

  1. Trilby Avatar
    Trilby

    Wonderful video! The mom lifts the baby to her feet with her trunk. So sweet.

    Reply
  2. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Awwww!

    Reply
  3. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Great video — love seeing her lifted up

    Reply
  4. mirna Avatar
    mirna

    Soooo adorable!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    So cute how the momma elephant lifts her calf up with her trunk at the beginning and the baby elephant trots around beneath the feet of her mother. Its amazing that she was able to lift her up like that. I was just reading an article at whatdoelephantseat.com/how-much-does-a-baby-elephant-weigh-at-birth that explains baby elephants can weigh over 200 pounds – these are incredibly powerful and amazing animals!

    Reply
  6. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Sorry, the URL did not link right in my last comment… try clicking http://whatdoelephantseat.com/how-much-does-a-baby-elephant-weigh-at-birth/

    Reply

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