Baby Asian elephant goes on public display at Oregon Zoo
Newborn Asian elephant Tulatu has made his first appearance at the Oregon Zoo. According to the zoo, elephants are critically endangered.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute announced on November 24 that an Asian elephant at the zoo is pregnant, marking the first time in nearly 25 years that an elephant calf has been born at the zoo.
Animal care staff at the Washington, D.C., zoo are preparing for the birth of a “long-awaited” Asian elephant calf, according to a news release. According to the zoo, male elephant Spike (44) mated with female elephant Nie Lin (12) in April 2024.
“Staff are closely monitoring Nie Lin and are cautiously optimistic that she will give birth to a healthy calf between mid-January and early March next year,” the zoo said in a news release.
According to the zoo, the average gestation period for the endangered Asian elephant is 18 to 22 months. The zoo said every birth of the species was a “boon” as there are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the wild worldwide.
The National Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the country, has only given birth to two elephants since its establishment in 1889. Kumari, the zoo’s first Asian elephant, died in 1995 at 16 months old, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
Another Asian elephant, Kandula, was born at the zoo in 2001 and was the fifth elephant in the world to be born through artificial insemination, according to a 2008 news release from the Smithsonian Institution. The animal was moved to the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2015 to support its natural development and participate in a breeding program, according to the zoo.
Brandi Smith, John and Adrian Mars director of the National Zoo, said Nie Ling’s calf represents hope for the future of the species. The zoo said it will provide updates on its website, e-newsletter and social media as Nie Ling’s due date approaches.
“The first step to saving any species is getting people interested. As animal ambassadors, baby elephants are more fascinating and charismatic than ever,” Smith said in a statement. “We can’t wait for our visitors to experience the joy of watching our multigenerational herd socialize, play, and learn. We’re reminded of how much we share with these gentle, intelligent animals.”
‘Energetic’ Nie Lin takes on ‘lazy’ Spike
Spike arrived at the National Zoo in 2018 from Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida, the zoo said. He is on loan from Zoo Miami, the zoo said. Meanwhile, Nie Lin and her mother Chong Nie, 22, arrived at the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands in 2022 as a gift from the zoo.
Spike and Neelin received breeding recommendations in 2022 from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, a conservation effort by zoos and aquariums that focuses on endangered and endangered species, the zoo said.
Scientists will track the animals’ pedigrees in a “stud book” and analyze the animals’ “mutual genetic relatedness,” health, temperament and other factors before making breeding recommendations, according to the zoo. The zoo noted that the matchmaking process maintains genetic diversity in captive animal populations.
“This calf will be Nie Lin’s first calf. Spike gave birth to three calves at other zoos, but none survived,” the zoo said in a news release. “Nie Lin and Spike’s genes are underrepresented in zoos, so their calves will help strengthen the genetic diversity of Asian elephant populations in North America and around the world.”
According to the zoo, Asian elephants are known to be “very intelligent, sensitive, and sociable.” Zoo staff described Nie Ling’s personality as “energetic and mischievous,” according to a news release.
“She is extremely curious and brave when it comes to trying new things and exploring,” the zoo said. “Keepers say she is enamored with Spike, who exudes a relaxed, ‘gentlemanly’ demeanor.”
Nie Lin’s calf will join a herd of six elephants, including its mother. Grandmother; Bosie, 51 years old. Swarna, 51 years old. According to the zoo, Maharani, 35.
Nie Lin became pregnant after complications with her mother
The zoo said staff remained “cautiously optimistic” about Neelin’s pregnancy because “miscarriage, stillbirth, and complications can occur in any animal pregnancy.” Zoo staff previously confirmed that Chonnie also became pregnant after mating with Spike in April 2024.
But in late October, the zoo announced that Chong-ni was experiencing severe symptoms of discomfort, and further tests and an ultrasound showed the fetus may no longer be viable. The zoo said staff continue to provide care and comfort for Chonni, who remains in stable condition and is “behaving normally and socializing.”
“There are many reasons to breed Asian elephants in human care, not the least of which is that this species is critically endangered,” Robbie Clark, the zoo’s elephant keeper, said in a statement. “Our team worked tirelessly to ensure the success of Chong Ni and Nie Ling, and we expected them both to deliver healthy calves.”
Clark continued, “While it’s unlikely that will happen for Chonnie, we’re excited to see how she steps into her new role as a grandmother.” “As Nie Lin’s time approaches, her health and well-being are our top priority and we stand ready to support her through every stage of labor, delivery and beyond.”
