At just 17 days old, a baby elephant charmed onlookers in China during her first public outing. The young calf, residing at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, is yet to be named.
She appeared on Monday, shyly peeking from behind her mother’s legs as visitors watched her curiously.
During the zoo’s “Elephant Water-Splashing Festival,” the little elephant initially stumbled while trying to move around, reported People’s Daily Online.
With gentle encouragement from her 28-year-old mother, Jigu, the Asian elephant calf gained confidence, soon proudly walking around her enclosure.
Born on May 30 to Malaysian elephant parents, the calf already weighs more than many adult humans.
Expected to grow to nearly 10 feet in height and around four tonnes, she’s just beginning her journey to full size.
Asian elephants, with a lifespan of 50 to 70 years, develop slowly, with a growth rate similar to humans.
Having spent 22 months in her mother’s womb, the 200-pound calf is now learning to walk at a pace comparable to that of a young child.
Alongside her first public steps, she has been bonding with her mother and exploring her surroundings, making a heartwarming start to her life in the park.
