Herd the news? At Melbourne Zoo, good things really do come in threes
A third baby elephant has joined a growing herd at the Melbourne Zoo.
The female Asian elephant calf was born just before midnight on New Year’s Day after mother Num Oi went into labour in the days prior, under the care of zoo vets and keepers.
The new calf has arrived following a typical 22-month pregnancy for Asian Elephants. Credit:Melbourne Zoo
“We are over the moon to have another healthy female calf join the herd,” said Erin Gardiner, the zoo’s elephants life sciences manager.
“There is a birthing window, so we knew it was possible that the newest calf could be born on January 1.”
She said Num Oi was an experienced mother and that other female Asian elephants in the herd were supporting her and keeping a watchful eye on their latest addition.
“Her calf is staying very close by and is suckling well, which is exactly what we hope to see in these early days.”
Melbourne Zoo is celebrating the safe arrival of a third healthy Asian Elephant calf in as many months. Credit:Melbourne Zoo
The zoo welcomed two other elephant calves – female Aiyara and male Roi-Yim – born within nine days of each other in November. They are the first natural conceptions for elephant calves at the zoo, as previous births were via artificial insemination.
All three elephants were born to sire Luk Chai, who arrived at Melbourne Zoo from the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in December 2020.
“We began planning these births years ago, so to see natural biology play out at its best has been a real privilege,” Gardiner said.
Asian elephants typically have a 22-month pregnancy. Gardiner said the three births occurring within a short period of time brought benefits for herd cohesion, social development and the “natural raising” of the young elephants.
“The calves will be raised by the entire herd,” Gardiner said.
The three calves bring the Melbourne Zoo herd to 10. They will move to Werribee Open Range Zoo after a new 21-hectare habitat is complete in 2024.
The latest calf will be named in coming weeks through a Zoos Victoria social media competition.
Thousands of visitors have seen older siblings Aiyara and Roi-Yim at the zoo since their birth, but the Trail of the Elephants precinct will be temporarily closed to visitors while Num Oi and her calf bond.
Gardiner said this would also give the new calf an opportunity to meet and settle in with the rest of the herd.
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