An Asian elephant, aged 19, residing at the Zurich Zoo gave birth to a male calf over the weekend, and the zoo plans to reveal his name later this week. The calf’s name will begin with the letter “Z,” fitting with the tradition for names in 2025. The arrival of the new calf, seen taking its first tentative steps in the early hours of Saturday morning, was captured by a light-sensitive camera within the zoo’s Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park. This habitat is now shared by six elephants: the newborn, his mother Farha, who has previously given birth to three calves, another male elephant, and three adult females. The father is a bull elephant named Thai.
While the zoo staff are delighted with the new addition, they remain cautious. “The first few weeks in a calf’s life are crucial,” stated Zoo Director Severin Dressen, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring, despite the calf appearing healthy and robust. These early days are particularly sensitive, and constant attention is required to ensure the well-being of the young elephant.
The Asian elephant, scientifically known as Elephas maximus, is critically endangered. Current estimates put their remaining population in the wild at approximately 50,000 individuals, with numbers continuing to dwindle. Zurich Zoo is playing its part in the conservation of these magnificent animals. Under the European Endangered Species Program, they are striving to help stabilize the population through their breeding efforts. Dressen highlighted the significance of conservation initiatives at the zoo.
Being mindful of the newborn’s safety, the zoo has taken measures to keep Farha and her calf separated from another female elephant named Panang, who lacks experience with young animals. This separation is expected to continue for several days to ensure a peaceful environment for Farha and her newborn.
Births such as this are infrequent in zoos, partly due to the elephant’s notably long gestation period of nearly two years, explained the zoo officials. The name for the infant will be announced following a staff meeting on Wednesday, aligning with the zoo’s naming convention for that year. As 2025 is designated a “Z” year, the calf’s name will naturally commence with the letter “Z”.