In a remarkable event, Pongola Game Reserve in south-east South Africa has welcomed the birth of extremely rare elephant twins. This is the first set of twins born in the area in a decade.
The twin calves, who have yet to be named, were observed this week at the reserve in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal.
They are under the watchful eye of their mother, Curve, a 31-year-old elephant, and other herd members.
Elephant twins are exceptionally rare, with fewer than one percent of elephants being born as twins. The last recorded occurrence of twins in this region was in 2006 at Kruger National Park.
Curve’s twins are believed to be sired by Ingani, a 44-year-old bull who passed away just over a year ago.
Despite the absence of their father, Curve is receiving significant support from the herd to care for her newborns.
The reserve’s management has not yet determined the sex of the twins, as they are allowing Curve the necessary space to nurse and nurture her calves.
Dr. Ian Whyte, an elephant specialist formerly with the National Parks Board at Kruger National Park, explained the importance of this approach.
“The mortality rate for one of the twins often rises because the mother struggles to meet the milk demands of two calves. The less dominant twin typically has less access to nourishment. By giving Curve space, we aim to give the twins the best possible start,” he said.
