Chester Zoo’s herd of Asian elephants was recently spotted enjoying a playful mudbath, captured in adorable photos that showcase the young calves getting down and dirty.
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The herd has welcomed three new additions in the past year, with the latest male calf born in January to 20-year-old mother Sithami Hi Way.
According to the zoo, the birth of two calves in one month was a momentous occasion for the Hi Way family herd of Asian elephants. The elephants are highly social animals, so the births were an incredible boost to the group.
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In the photos, the young elephants are seen playing, rolling, and splashing about in the mud. The zoo stated that the playful behavior is not only enjoyable for the elephants but also serves an important purpose in helping to regulate their body temperature and protect their skin from the sun.
Chester Zoo is part of a breeding program coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), which focuses on sustaining the elephant population in Europe. With the births of these new calves, the zoo and the program are making important strides toward their conservation goals.
Best buddies: The calves were photographed playing, rolling, and splashing about in the mud at Chester Zoo on Thursday. Source: Daily Mail
Family outing: The zoo welcomed its latest addition to its herd of Asian elephants earlier this year when 20-year-old mum Sithami Hi Way gave birth to a male calf in January. His arrival came just one month after the birth of Indali Hi Way.Source: Daily MailTime for some fun! One of the baby elephants tackles another to the ground as they roll in the mud at Chester Zoo.Source: Daily MailIn a statement issued earlier this year, the zoo said: ‘Two births in one month is momentous for our Hi Way family herd of Asian elephants. Elephants are hugely sociable animals, so this is an incredible boost to the group.Source: Daily MailWhile smaller than their African counterparts, Asian Elephants are the continent’s largest terrestrial land mammals.Source: Daily MailMore than 100,000 Asian elephants are thought to have existed at the start of the 20th century, but their numbers have fallen by more than half over the last hundred years.Source: Daily MailFace-off: The fall in elephant numbers is partly due to habitat loss, as human activity continues to destroy the ancient rainforests.Source: Daily MailTwo by two: As Asia’s population keeps rising, more and more pressure is put on transforming elephant habitats into farmland.Source: Daily MailWhat a Dumbo! Poaching is also a major threat, and elephants are often killed for their ivory or skin.Source: Daily MailElephants use mud to cool their skin and to protect them from parasites and their skin from the hot sun’s powerful UV rays.Source: Daily MailCharge! The zoo is part of a breeding program coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in Europe.Source: Daily MailThe new calf was described by the zoo as an invaluable addition to the breeding program for the endangered species.Source: Daily MailTake that! Speaking after the birth of the calf in January, Dr. Mark Pilgrim, chief executive officer, said: ‘We hope that news of her arrival will generate more much-needed awareness of these incredible animals and the pressures for survival that they are faced with in the wild.’Source: Daily MailAsian elephants are highly threatened in the wild, and Chester Zoo conservationists are working in India to protect the species from human-wildlife conflict.Source: Daily MailMud buddies: Asian elephants are an endangered species threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease, and direct conflict with humans. Source: Daily MailPlay with me! Many elephants are also captured in the wild and used in the tourism industry.Source: Daily MailElephants are highly sociable animals, as demonstrated by these two calves playing.Source: Daily MailThat’s a filthy habit! For over 10 years, the zoo has been working in Assam, India, to help elephants and humans live alongside one another safely.Source: Daily Mail
