Whipsnade Zoo trumpets baby elephant birth

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 27, 2009 – A tiny elephant standing just over 3ft high is the latest addition to the herd at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

The pint-sized pachyderm was born on Wednesday night to mum Kaylee, 27, weighing in at a healthy 126kg (almost 20st). Adult elephants can weigh over 800st.

The speedy nipper was on her feet within five minutes of being born, the quickest any calf born at the Zoo has been up and about. She has already been enjoying the summer sunshine taking her first wobbly steps outside, much to the delight of zoo visitors, at around 12 hours old – under the watchful eye of her keepers.

Sticking close to mum the as-yet-unnamed ellie has spent her first few days getting to grips with her seven acre paddock and meeting the other seven elephants that make up the herd.

Zoological Director, David Field, said: "The safe birth of the Asian elephant calf is a tribute to the keeping staff at the elephant house who were monitoring Kaylee's condition constantly in the days leading up to the delivery.The female calf represents another important addition to our herd of these endangered and beautiful animals."

Photographers are invited to attend ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on Tuesday morning to photograph the calf at just under a week old.

Ends

This photocall will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or low temperatures. Please call ahead in the morning if the weather is poor to confirm whether the photo is happening.

Photographers will have unobscured views into the paddock, but may be advised to bring a long lens as well due to the size of the area.

Father Emmett is the herd’s only adult male and he is also father to Euan, who is five.

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.  The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research at the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation overseas. For further information please visit www.zsl.org.