Turns out three is the magic number for Dublin Zoo as a third Asian elephant calf has arrived this week.
The healthy female calf was born to mother Bernhardine at 11.45pm on Wednesday (September 17th) and weighed 68kg.
Dublin Zoo has now welcomed three calves within a 10-week period. The first, Kavi, was born back in July, followed by Ashoka who arrived last month.
The new calf arrived on Wednesday.
Paul O’Donoghue, assistant director at Dublin Zoo, said: “Our latest arrival is a wonderful addition to our breeding herd of Asian elephants. It was a very quick and calm birth and Bernhardine’s daughter Asha (seven years old) stayed with her throughout. The calf was standing within ten minutes and has been suckling really well.”
He added: “It is just incredible for us to be announcing the birth of three Asian elephants in the space of 10 weeks. It is an extraordinary achievement for the animal care team here at Dublin Zoo who are very proud of the expanding herd and of the significance of these births for the future of endangered Asian elephants.”
This is the third new arrival for the elephant herd within a 10-week period.
This October has been named, by Dublin City Council and The Natural Confectionery Company (which sponsors the Kaziranga Forest Trail), as the “Month of the Elephant” and will include themed family fun days along with events and workshops.
Dublin Zoo will also be taking the celebration to the streets of the capital and inviting the public to join the “Elephant Trail” around Dublin city centre on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October. The Elephant Trail will be an opportunity for families to take part in a free treasure hunt style event around the city and learn lots of interesting elephant facts along the way.
The Elephant Trail will end at Barnardos Square where a family fun Elephant Extravaganza will take place with keeper talks from the Dublin Zoo elephant team, face painting, elephant arts and crafts and much more.
October has been named the “Month of the Elephant” at Dublin Zoo.
Leo Oosterweghel, Director at Dublin Zoo, said: “The arrival of three Asian elephant calves is certainly something for us to celebrate. After a decade of continuous development Dublin Zoo is now one of the best zoos in the world and key to its success is the level of pride and ownership the people of Dublin have in it.
“We are delighted to have the support of Dublin City Council and The Natural Confectionery Company to bring the celebration to the people of Dublin during the month of October. The Month of the Elephant is all about celebrating these wonderful animals.”
A naming competition will be hosted on Dublin Zoo’s Facebook page and the Zoo is calling on the public to suggest a name for the latest arrival based on its Asian origins. A full list of all the events planned to celebrate the Month of the Elephant visit will be available on the Dublin Zoo website. Visitors can see Upali, Asha, Bernhardine, Anak and Yasmin with their new calves at the Kaziranga Forest Trail daily. Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6.00pm.
