Joyous Arrival: Rare Asian Elephant Calf Welcomed at UK’s Whipsnade Zoo

A moment of triumph was captured on camera at Bedfordshire’s Whipsnade Zoo, with the birth of an endangered Asian elephant calf whose first faltering steps marked a beacon of hope for the species.

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Donna, a 13-year-old elephant, welcomed her unnamed newborn on Monday, supported by the four other female elephants from her herd. Initially, the calf raised concern among the zoo staff due to her hesitant approach to feeding.

However, her mother’s persistent character soon shone through in the calf as she pursued Donna until she could latch on and savor her first sip of milk. This event had the keepers jovially dubbing her “milk drunk.”

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The calf’s arrival stirred waves of joy among the zoo staff. Mark Howes, Deputy Team Leader of Elephants, said, “The birth of this calf signifies not just a massive achievement for Donna and our herd here at Whipsnade but also a significant victory for elephant conservation.”

The Yet-To-Be-Named Calf Was Born To 13 Year Old Donna (Zsl Whipsnade Zoo)

This newborn calf is an essential contributor to the European endangered species breeding program for Asian elephants.

The zoo staff monitored the birth via concealed cameras, capturing the moment when Kaylee, the grandmother, guided Donna to rupture the amniotic sac and cleared the area for the baby to stand for the first time.

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This calf represents the third generation of a matriarchal lineage at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Howes shared his anticipation, “We eagerly await seeing her personality blossom as she grows, under the nurturing guidance of her mother, grandmother, ‘aunts,’ and ‘cousins.'”

Zookeepers Said They Were `Delighted´ By The Arrival (Zsl Whipsnade Zoo)
Zookeepers said they were `delighted´ by the arrival (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo). The yet-to-be-named calf was born to 13-year-old Donna (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) labels Asian elephants as endangered.

As reported by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), the wild population of Asian elephants has dwindled to fewer than 52,000, with their natural habitat limited to just 15% of the original range.

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Distinctly smaller than their African counterparts, Asian elephants are characterized by their smaller ears and dark grey to brown color, often highlighted with pink or yellow markings on their face, ears, and trunk.

The Calf And Her Mother, Donna (Zsl Whipsnade Zoo)
The calf and her mother, Donna (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo).

The Whipsnade Zoo, operated by the conservation charity ZSL, plays a key role in worldwide efforts to safeguard all three species of elephants.

“Our herd not only contributes to our conservation initiatives but also serves as an educational ambassador for our visitors,” said Howes.

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The Center for Elephant Care at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the new home for Donna and her calf, will open on Wednesday.

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.