Rare elephant birth caught on CCTV at Chester Zoo
A rare Asian elephant has been born at Chester Zoo – and the birth was captured live on CCTV.
The female calf arrived to 12-year-old mum Sundara after a 22-month gestation and was on her feet within minutes. The youngster was welcomed by the rest of the elephant herd, including one-year-old half-sister Nandita, who was witnessing a birth for the very first time. Keepers at the zoo say both mother and daughter, who is yet to be named, are doing well.
Asian elephants are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN's) Red List, threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease and direct conflict with humans. The new calf is a huge boost to the endangered species breeding programme.
Richard Fraser, assistant team manager of elephants at Chester Zoo, described the birth as "perfect" and a "great family occasion".
He said:
"She delivered her calf on to soft sand with all the family gathered around. Sundara then gave her a series of little kicks to gently stimulate and encourage her to her feet. Minutes later, the new arrival was up and standing and making her first attempts to suckle."
The calf was born between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
