POWELL, OH — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s latest arrival — an adorable baby elephant — appears strong and healthy, zoo officials said. The yet-to-be-named calf made its appearance at 3:09 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6.
After many failed attempts, the calf is the first elephant in nearly a decade to be born at the Columbus Zoo as a result of artificial insemination. The newborn will join an existing herd of six Asian elephants that currently reside in the Zoo’s Asia Quest Region.
The sex of the calf is still yet to be determined. It is the offspring of 31 year-old Asian elephant Phoebe, who came to Ohio back in 2002. Since her arrival, Phoebe has given birth to three other elephants, the last in 2009.
It’s unclear what elephant sired the new arrival, the zoo said in an announcement of the elephant calf’s birth. Phoebe had the opportunity to mate with Hank, an adult male, but didn’t seem inclined. She was artificially inseminated with sperm from Hank and a male elephant from another zoo. A DNA test will confirm the calf’s father in the coming weeks, the zoo said.
[RECIRC]While still a relatively rare procedure for elephants, attempts to artificially inseminate elephants are becoming more frequent in an effort to bolster the numbers of endangered elephants, whose populations are rapidly declining in their native range, the zoo said. Both Hank and the other male were recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for endangered species. The Asian species of elephant is listed bas “threatened” on the IUCN Red List.
“This calf’s birth is important to sustaining the genetic diversity of Asian elephants in human care,” the zoo said.
In conjunction with a donor, the public will have an opportunity to help name the calf. Details will be announced at a later date.
Currently, the calf and mom are in a behind-the-scenes area and are not visible by zoo guests. You can stay up to date on the all the latest information about the newest Columbus Zoo resident here.
In the meantime, check out these adorable photos of the calf as it learns to bond to its mother on its very first day of life. Your heart is sure to melt!
See the photos of Columbus Zoo’s new baby elephant and mother Phoebe below:
Dec. 6, 2018
An Asian elephant calf is born at 3:09 a.m. at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The sex of the newborn is still unknown, as the zoo said it will give it time to bond to its mother. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The newborn’s mother, Phoebe, is a 31 year-old Asian elephant that came to the Columbus Zoo in 2002. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The baby elephant is seen trying to stand on all fours. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The bonding between the newborn and its mother was immediate. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The Columbus Zoo said public visiting hours will be announced in the near future. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
Check back for updates as we follow the precious Columbus Zoo elephant. (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
Lead image by Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Information sourced from the Columbus Zoo.