SINGAPORE – Night Safari has received a huge early birthday surprise this year, in the form of a female baby Asian elephant weighing 149kg at birth.
It arrived on May 12, 14 days before the park’s 22nd anniversary on May 26.
The animal caretakers were surprised when Sri Nandong, the park’s 30-year-old female Asian elephant, gave birth to the calf in the elephant exhibit during operating hours. They knew she was pregnant but didn’t expect the baby to come so soon.
According to a media release issued by Night Safari on Tuesday (May 31), the calf was bred by Chawang, a 39-year-old Asian bull elephant at the park.
The calf is the first elephant born in the park in six years. Typically, an elephant’s pregnancy lasts between 22 and 24 months, making it the longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom. With this birth, the park is now home to four female and two male elephants.
Visitors can see mother and baby elephants at the Asian elephant exhibit from late June onwards.
Currently, the unnamed calf is getting to know its “aunts,” Jamilah and Tun, and taking a short walk to get used to its surroundings.
The calf since birth, has gained 43kg, now weighs 192kg.
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