FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California zoo has welcomed its second elephant calf in just two weeks.
African elephant named Amahle gave birth early Monday morning, as confirmed by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. This joyful occasion follows the birth of another male calf just 10 days earlier, which was born to Amahle’s mother, Nolwazi.
These calves are particularly special as they mark the first elephants ever born at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, located about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco. The zoo has initiated a breeding program with hopes that visitors will be able to enjoy these magnificent animals in the coming years.
“Having two healthy calves is a remarkable achievement for us,” Jon Forrest Dohlin, the zoo’s chief executive, said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are eager for the public to come and see the new members of our herd and share in our excitement.”
For the time being, the elephants and their calves will be closely monitored behind the scenes, according to Dohlin. While the zoo has expanded its exhibit to accommodate its growing herd, there has been some controversy. Animal rights activists have expressed concerns about the breeding program, arguing that elephants should not be kept in zoos due to their intricate social and environmental needs.
Last year, the zoo introduced a male elephant named Mabu with the intention of breeding him with the two female elephants. The future of elephants in zoos, which typically have few offspring and a long gestation period of 22 months, greatly relies on successful breeding efforts.
