Newborn Sumatran Elephant Thriving Under Mother’s Care In Indonesian Park

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- A one-week-old Sumatran elephant calf has brought new hope for the survival of one of the world’s most critically endangered elephant species, after showing healthy development since its birth at Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra.

The male calf, born at 10.55 pm local time on August 15 at the park’s Elephant Training Centre, weighed 67.3 kilogrammes at birth and is the third offspring of a 34-year-old female named Dita.

“His tiny, still-adorable trunk has begun learning to interact with his surroundings. Most importantly, he remains constantly under the warm protection of his mother,” the park’s team stated in a statement.

Park officials have reported that both mother and calf are in good health, with Dita receiving additional vitamins on Thursday to help maintain her stamina during these early days of motherhood.

She is also being provided with a rich supplementary diet, including grass, long beans, bananas, coconut and peanuts, to ensure complete nutrition, while the unnamed calf remains off-limits to visitors to allow for uninterrupted rest and nursing.

“The calf still requires ample sleep and breastfeeding to grow optimally. If too many visitors come, his rest may be disrupted,” the statement added.

The park in Lampung province is home to 62 tame elephants, while an estimated 160 to 180 wild Sumatran elephants roam the surrounding forests.

The birth is a welcome boost for conservationists striving to protect the species, which faces severe threats from habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

Way Kambas National Park Office head Muhammad Zaidi stated that the birth represents both joyful news and concrete evidence of their shared commitment to preserving the Sumatran elephant.

“We hope this elephant calf will grow up healthy and become a significant part of the Sumatran elephant population in the future,” he added.

-- BERNAMA