A second elephant calf has been born at Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California, marking an exciting development in the zoo’s breeding program.
African elephant Amahle gave birth early Monday morning, just ten days after her mother, Nolwazi, welcomed another male calf.
These births are particularly significant, as they are the first elephants born at the zoo, located about 150 miles southeast of San Francisco.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo has been working to grow its elephant population through a breeding initiative to ensure future generations can experience these majestic animals up close.
Jon Forrest Dohlin, the zoo’s chief executive, called the arrival of two healthy calves a “historic milestone.”
In a statement on Tuesday, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We cannot wait for the public to see the new additions to our herd and share in our excitement.”
For now, calves and their mothers are closely monitored behind the scenes. While the zoo expanded its elephant exhibit in preparation for a growing herd, some animal rights activists have raised concerns about keeping elephants in captivity due to their complex physical and social needs.
In 2022, the zoo introduced the male elephant Mabu, hoping he would mate with the two females, Amahle and Nolwazi.
Since elephants have long gestation periods—22 months—and give birth to relatively few offspring, breeding programs are seen as essential for sustaining elephant populations in zoos.