A Historic Moment: West Midlands Safari Park Welcomes Its First Baby Elephant

For the first time in its 41-year existence, West Midlands Safari Park is rejoicing over the birth of its first baby elephant.

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This monumental event has ushered in a wave of happiness and celebration among the staff and visitors of the park.

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The unnamed male calf is the first baby elephant born at West Midland Safari Park in its 41-year history.

The newborn male elephant, born just last week, tipped the scales at a healthy 221lb at birth. The little giant arrived at the park at 5.30 pm on a Monday, marking a memorable day in the park’s history.

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This remarkable birth culminated in a 22-month pregnancy for his mother, Five. Interestingly, Five’s pregnancy was not a natural occurrence; it was the result of artificial insemination.

The semen used was retrieved from an elephant in a South African reserve, frozen, and stored in a French laboratory before it was used for Five’s insemination.

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Pictured with his mother, Five, who went through a 22-month pregnancy.

In a noteworthy accomplishment, the unnamed male calf is only the second to be born using this unique method. The first was a female elephant born last year at Vienna Zoo.

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This groundbreaking technique was a brainchild of a dedicated team from Berlin’s Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research. They have been closely collaborating with West Midlands Safari Park in their endeavors.

Andy Plumb, who heads the elephant care team at the park, has been looking after Five since she arrived in 1998. Expressing his delight, he said, “This is truly incredible news. The newborn is an absolute delight, just like his mother. Both are doing well.”

The Baby African Elephant Was Born At 5.30Pm On Monday May 5 And Weighed 221Lb
The baby African elephant was born at 5.30 pm on Monday, May 5, and weighed 221lb.

He also shared that Five was healthy throughout her pregnancy. Only in the final weeks before giving birth did she appear to be more dependent on the staff than usual. Five’s delivery went smoothly, and she is smitten with her new offspring.

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Plumb expressed joy by saying, “We are all overjoyed that both mother and calf are faring well.”

Five has been a West Midlands Safari Park resident since she was six. Orphaned when her mother was shot, she was raised by hand in a private elephant orphanage near Pretoria, South Africa, before making the park in Bewdley, Worcestershire, her home.

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The calf, who is yet to be named, strolls with his mother, Five, around the West Midland Safari Park.
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He is only the second elephant in the world to be born using the technique of artificial insemination.

Read more Elephant News.

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Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

  • Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
  •  Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
  •  Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.