A mother elephant’s emotional struggle to save her newborn calf was captured at Zurich’s Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park, where the little one ultimately lost its battle for survival.
The male Asian elephant, born on January 14 to 17-year-old Farha, was part of an endangered species.
His grandmother, Ceyla-Himali, was also present for the birth, a practice seen in the wild where family members support each other during such moments.
Initially, the birth seemed to be a joyous occasion, with zoo staff eagerly awaiting the baby elephant’s arrival after Farha’s 22-month pregnancy — the longest gestation period of any mammal.
However, joy quickly turned to heartbreak as the newborn, described by the zoo as “very weak” from the start, struggled to survive.
Footage reveals Farha’s immediate instinct to care for her baby. After the calf’s birth, she noticed something was wrong when the newborn barely moved.
Gently, she nudged him with her foot and used her trunk to stroke his ears, face, and body, attempting to rouse him.
According to Elephant Aid, elephants frequently use their trunks to interact with family members in moments of care and bonding.
Despite Farha’s and Ceyla-Himali’s efforts and the intervention of the zoo’s veterinarians, who administered medicine, the calf passed away shortly after birth.
The zoo released a statement on January 16, expressing their grief: “The anticipated elephant birth at the beginning of the year did not have the desired outcome. Unfortunately, the calf died shortly after birth due to weakness.”
A pathology exam will be conducted to determine the cause of death. However, experts currently do not believe that the elephant herpes virus, which claimed the lives of three elephants in the park last year, played a role in this tragedy.
Zurich Zoo assured the public that Farha was carefully monitored throughout the pregnancy and birth.
The loss is especially significant, given that Asian elephants are endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching. While smaller than their African counterparts, these elephants can still reach heights of 6 to 10 feet.
Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park, one of Europe’s most modern elephant facilities, is part of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP).
The park, home to several Asian elephants, is known for its underwater viewing area, where visitors can watch elephants swim.
This tragic loss marks another painful chapter for the zoo’s elephant program, which remains committed to conserving this endangered species.
