Asian Elephant Delivers Miracle Twins at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- The @RosamondGiffordZoo has made history. Male Asian elephant twins were born to parents Mali and Doc at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo on October 24, 2022.
The zoo is thrilled to announce that Mali and both her calves are currently doing well. For the past two weeks, the elephant care team has been monitoring the twins around the clock to ensure both are thriving.
Mali delivered the first calf at 2 a.m. with no complications. The calf was a male at 220 pounds and perfectly healthy.
The second calf came ten hours later at 11:50 a.m. in an event that astonished the animal care staff. The second calf was also male, weighed 237 pounds, but was noticeably weaker than the first. The zoo’s animal care team and veterinary staff sprang into action and were able to significantly improve the calf’s condition.
“This is truly an historic moment for the zoo and our community. I couldn’t be prouder of our exceptional animal care team, the support of the veterinary staff and their tremendous dedication to Mali and the twins,” said County Executive Ryan J. McMahon. “The important research happening right here at the zoo will have a significant impact worldwide on behalf of this magnificent endangered species”
Elephant twins comprise less than 1% of elephant births worldwide. Of twin pregnancies, twins are often stillborn or are too weak to survive. Sometimes the mother elephant does not survive. To date, there has never been a recorded case of surviving elephant twins in the United States. The few successful twin births have only taken place in their range countries in Asia and Africa and nowhere else in the world.
Due to the sheer improbability as well as the complexity of elephant ultrasounds, the zoo team did not anticipate the birth of twins. However, they were prepared. Elephant care staff have been supplementing the second calf with a specialized milk replacer they received days before the delivery.
“I can’t commend my team enough for all they have done these past few weeks to ensure the care and safety of Mali and her twins. It has been incredible to watch them in action and witness the high level of expertise, professionalism and focus under pressure,” said Zoo Director Ted Fox. “The continued work and research that follows will significantly contribute to global research efforts on behalf of elephant care, Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV), and more.”
The new twins bring the zoo’s elephant herd to eight that reside at the Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve. The new calves will be the third generation in the herd’s family which includes Mali and her half-sister Kirina and Mali’s mother Targa - mimicking natural herd compositions in the wild. The Preserve is also home to unrelated “aunties” - matriarch Siri and Romani.
Mali’s twins are an incredible achievement for both the zoo and Asian elephant conservation worldwide.
Asian elephants are classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their wild populations are threatened by human conflict, habitat destruction and ivory poachers. There are an estimated 20,000 individuals left in the wild.
The twins are a part of the zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan, a gold-standard population management and conservation program designed to save critically endangered animals. Of the 238 zoos and aquariums accredited by the AZA, only eight are Asian elephant breeding facilities.
Of extreme importance are Mali’s placentas which were immediately transported to Baylor University for elephant research. They will be studied and used for research toward the treatment and the development of a vaccine to combat EEHV, a lethal strain of herpes believed to naturally occur among elephants in a dormant form. The virus can become active without warning and is the leading cause of death among young elephants.
EEHV claimed the lives of Mali and Doc’s previous two calves, Batu and Ajay, at the zoo in December 2020.
After this tragedy, the Friends of the Zoo created the Ajay and Batu Memorial Fund in memory of the young elephants. The funds raised were used to provide EEHV resources to the zoo - including equipment to test for EEHV in-house at the zoo’s new state-of-the-art Animal Health Center.
All elephants at the zoo are tested twice a week for EEHV, and the twins will be extensively monitored for signs of the virus. The testing and research done at the Animal Health Center will contribute to the efforts to someday eradicate EEHV and help elephants both in human care and in the wild.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has been a leader in elephant husbandry and conservation since 1986 and with its state-of-the-art elephant care facilities, experienced elephant care team and partnership with Cornell’s Veterinary School - it continues to act as a distinguished model for elephant programs around the world.
Couldn't be happier to see this. Sweet little angels
They are sooo adorable!
Their little tiny trunks are so adorable! Best wishes for continued health for these sweet babies.
Yes, those little trunks!!!!!
I love when baby elephants discover their trunk, swinging it around like it’s their own personal toy❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yes, very adorable and cute
Here in Sri Lanka, at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, there was a twin birth last year. Both are growing up fast and are very naughty now.
😊😊💪💪‼️
True! We just visited them this week and they truly are such a sweet pair. The two in SL are apparently the first ever twin baby elephants born in the world- atleast recorded. About 1.5yrs old now and naughty as ever!!!😄🥰
THIS really is miraculous!!! When in the wild if twins are born, most often the "weaker" is left behind by "family". Not only are these births a miracle BUT the miracle occurred within this particular Zoo family where medical care by vets and elephant care team gave their hearts, their time and diligence as needed. KUDOS with heartfelt thanks to all
Usually female elephants only reject or kill the babies if they're in captivity. In the wild, the mother will seek out another recent mother in her herd to feed and protect the baby. If a baby elephant cries, the others will touch it and comfort it. It is highly unusual for an elephant to abandon or kill a baby, even if she can't take care of it she'll still stay with it. Not to mention elephants are very serious about their dead, having nearly religious-like behavior around the deceased. There was one elephant mother in captivity, she was so stressed out by her first ever pregnancy and birth that she did kill the newborn before the zoo keepers could stop her. That situation is even rarer than twin elephants.
@@WaryJester Yes, thank you for correcting. Elephants take care of each other. It's very rare to abandon a baby when many other females would be happy to "adopt" the unwanted or unable-to-care-for baby.
@@Michael-uk3uv no problem, elephants are amazing creatures
@@WaryJester the problem is they don't get to live in a female herd in this zoo.. This is not natural.
not how it works with elephants. and that would still be their family lol. if a human abandons their baby (give up for adoption) that's still technically their child...
How sweet, twins. She seems to be such a proud mom. Thank God the babies are fine.💕💕😍😍
Elephant babies are just a whole other level of cute! Those tiny trunks and fuzzy baby hair they're just adorable. I hope the babies and mama will continue to thrive and be healthy. 🐘🐘🐘♥️
🐘🐘TWINS!!! 🐘🐘🤯🤯 WOW, this is Amazing! Especially two healthy babies!!! I think we need to congratulate Momma Mali for carrying 450+ lbs of babies for over a year? (Almost 2 years if I'm not mistaken? ) 🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏿 Praying for continued good health for Mom and babies, and for the excellent care the Staff have provided! ♥️♥️♥️
I was thinking the same thing. Can you imagine!
U r correct! Longest gestation of any living mammal! 🤍🐘🐘🤍
I love what you said hope your doing well
What a sad world this would be if we ever lost these incredible animals.
I agree and think how many people think nothing of aborting an almost full-term baby. Now that’s sad.
@@laurinnnn Neither the time or place for such a comment.
You apparently have no proper understanding of why less than 1% of abortions are carried out during the 3rd trimester.
@@heathermatthews1323 Oh I heard the excuse of why they are made. Actually several excuses. How convenient that they came up with the excuses after the public caught on to what was going on. Have you ever read up on organ harvesting. Look into it! Big money! Maybe you need to have a better understanding of what’s going on.
@@laurinnnn You are one sick person.
@@laurinnnn boooooooo!
I hope they are never separated-
Twins! They're absolutely adorable!
Great news. Twins = Wonderful, wonderful. Worked at well known zoo couple decades ago. Visited the elephants daily. A magical experience.
Hope they keep growing healthy and Happy boys!!!
Mai and Doc should be so proud that they have brought two baby elephants into the world. It is so wonderful that the Rosamond Gifford Zoo was able to help the weaker baby elephant. May the twins and the other elephants thrive in the years to come.
What an adorable miracle!? 💕🐘 🐘💕. Twins!!
Glad the staff was there to help them, they seem like they're doing well.
WONDERFUL!!! I wish them a long & healty life. 🐘🐘🐘🐘
I can't believe how cute these babies are. They are so adorable 😍 💕.
Welcome babies. Congratulations to parents and zookeepers.
This clip made my day!!! Momma looks so proud showing off how beautiful her children are!!!💖
Mama looks justifiably proud. Good job, Mama.
Wonderful news ,we want more elephants.!
So happy they are ok, they will grow quick. Thanks
*They are beautiful !!! And mama is beautiful, too !!!*
Oh, my! Two wonderful babies!!,,,🎉🎉🎉
Wow! Congrats on a pretty rare twin elephants birth. How wonderful that both babies are doing well and mom is being a good mom! So exciting!
What little darlings they are. ❤
Meu Deus são gêmeos que beleza.
God bless mother elephant and her elephants calf's.❤️❤️❤️❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🌎
What a Miracle to see the babies!! Truly a gift.
I wouldn't have thought the elephant babies would've been over 200 pounds each ! Seeing something this adorable has really made my day.
Please never ever separate those babies.. i request you 😭🙏
Ой!!! Такие сладкие лапушки!!!😙😚😙 Такие милые ребятушечки!!!😙😚😙
Welcome little ones 🐘 🐘 so happy you’re here ❤❤
Both 🥰 adorable! Congratulations to staff and momma❤
Always brings a smile to me. The world needs more elephants.
Amazing! Never in my life would I believed twin elephant calves being born. I’m so happy they’re both doing well. I hope they grow up to be big and healthy. ❤❤
They are precious
May God Almighty always protect you sweet beautiful innocent gorgeous elephants God bless your mother and father
Adorable, stay healthy.
Absolutely wonderful that both little ones are thriving, really wonderful 🐘🐘🐘
OMG just precious and a true miracle Bless the sweet twins and their mom and dad Just adorable
They are so cute. Congratulations to Mom, Dad and staff.
Gentle , beautiful and loving..hopefully people will realize how lucky we are to have them..and stop shooting them for ivory
She deserves an award.
Aww, they're so cute and adorable.
I only watch and read the story in the description and feel so happy. Can't imagine how excited the zoo staffs feel that they actually care for them.
🐘🐘
ABSOLUTELY the cutest twins on the planet. Proud Mom and Pop. 🤗🤗🤗
Elephants are my FAVORITE animal. I have twins too, I know how hard she is working ❤️
Too cute for words!!!
To all who are involved including the animals, miracles and blessings to you always 🙏❤️🐘🐘
Just way to cute please send more🤩😍🥰
Oh they’re sooo sweet & adorable 🐘🐘❤️❤️
They’re so furry too 😂😂
@@catherinebreitfeller669 If this makes you happy I have a UA-cam video that will add to that happiness if you watch James Sparkmans dragon joke about Christmas I’m willing to bet it will make you laugh Maybe you can show your neighbors and friends and family while you’re at
Oh my goodness gracious they are so cute this is what I love to see animals being moms and dads to their loved ones. These two Asian elephants are adorable. Congratulations Mama on your adorable twin baby elephants
They are the cutest! 💕
What beautiful creatures and we're blessed to have them
Love them… they are precious… May God protect all of the beautiful animals in the world.
So amazing how the mom manages not to step on two, not just one, wee one.
I just want to hug them both. Great job mama and zoo staff. Sooo sweet
Oh beautiful twins, your existence are blessings to this world!
What a pair of beautiful babies, glad to hear all three are doing well, blessings
Look at lil yin and yang.. they are beautiful and couldn't be a more perfect timing for them to bring such courageous leaders into this world!
Oh my, that poor mama, 460 pounds of baby! I'm glad they were born at the zoo so the staff could help!
It's worth admiring. What lovely trunk and those big eyes trying to explore this world. Thanks to all the team members involved in caring for them. May God bless them with good food and health.
This is great news. I had the opportunity to visit this zoo several years ago. Best wishes to them.
Absolutely precious babies! So beautiful. Congratulations!
I've been crazy about baby elephants ever since I was a kid and saw "Safari" They were running through town causing havoc, hilarity and cuteness everywhere they went.
Oh they're beautiful! Congratulations to the happy parents, and the team of staff.
Omg! Twins! They are so adorable 🥰 Thank God for the care team with the delivery and special care!
Такие милые сладкие пушистые хоботочки 😘😘😘🙏❤❤❤эти слонята такие нежные
The twins are beautiful, so glad they are healthy.💕 Mama is a small one herself.
They are so adorable. Good job Mali and Doc. You made two handsome little boys.
Ultra cuteness alert!
omg that is crazy! I'm glad to hear they are at a place with experts and hope they will thrive.
They are so fuzzy!
almost baby Mammoths'!
I hope the little dude is helped to be as healthy as his brother...
& they both live long & happy lives. peace
Such a cute🐘🐘 tiny elephants 😘🥰 God gift elephants 🐘🙏🙏🙏
BTW, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is in Syracuse, NY! Both calves are boys!
Thanks! I thought we'd never know their birthplace, and a search was needed to find it. Now we all know what city and state to visit to see their miracle twins!😮
I wish there was sound. Twins how rare and it looks like they have white socks on. Sweet angels I pray they are healthy 🐘🐘❤️😘.
How joyful to see these beautiful creatures
Considering that Asian elephants are actually more related to mammoths than they are to African elephants, we're essentially seeing miniature mammoths.
Oh my goodness, how super special priceless, and wonderful this trio are, WOW❤❤❤
What a rich blessing.
OMG. Beautiful. Love them all.
I still have my t shirt with tundi the baby elephant to celebrate the first birth there. What a miracle for twins!
WOW cutest babies ever
Baby elephants are alot of fun. I love it when they suck their trunk. They can't suck a thumb , so some elephant babies will suck their trunks. It is very adorable. Love baby elephants
Wonder if mom is extra happy with two love them
Omg… this is truly miracle!!! They are soooo beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Again, proof that the world is a wonderful place! Such beautiful babies.
Ces petits éléphanteaux sont si mignons et semblent si vulnérables à la fois. Et leurs yeux, ce regard 🥰. Ils sont adorables dans leur démarche encore incertaine et leur allure de vrais bébés
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Welcome to life precious kids ..🐘🐘 .. 🙏😍💞💕💓
The twins are so dam cute and look at there little trunks. So adorable
Watching this video helped me realize what a wonder the elephant is. I wish this whole pachyderm family good health and long, happy lives.🐘🐘🐘🐘☺
Oh my goodness they are adorable🥰🥰 and I love the mama and the papa too what a beautiful family so precious I love elephants🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💙❤️💕
Poor mama elephant in labor for all that time and pushing out over 400 lbs. of babies. A real heroine.
Oh so adorable... Love elephants ..precious babies
Double joy.
Good work and may God bless and guide all of you.
❤🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤
The lil “peach fuzz on top of their heads” lol 🥰🥰🥰🐘🐘
Total cuteness overload!!! 💗💗💗💖💖💖🤯🎖🤯💖💖💖💗💗💗
Adorable little ones! Congratulations Mommy Elephant.❤️🐘🐘
Really so adorable. So cute. Wish I could play with them.
OMG ! They are so tiny and soooooooo adorable !
What could be cuter than a 200 lb. baby elephant running around Mom? Just TWO 200 lb. baby elephants running around Mom. These babies are adorable.