The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Welcomes a Baby Asian Elephant — and Has Another on the Way This Fall
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has expanded its animal family by one — and it has plans to do the same again before year's end.
A female Asian elephant calf was born at the Ohio-based attraction on Wednesday, July 23, at 4:26 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the zoo.
The 215-lb. baby was born to Sundara, a.k.a. 'Sunny," after a 22-month pregnancy. The zoo said both Sunny and her calf — who has not yet been given a name — "are doing well" and are "currently bonding behind the scenes."
"The little one is nursing, staying close to mom and beginning to explore with a curious trunk and wobbly steps," the zoo added.
The organization then joked, "While trunk coordination may take a little practice, the new arrival is already capturing hearts."
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The newborn elephant's father, Sabu, is currently at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. He spent time at the Columbus Zoo during a temporary stay that was made possible through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan Program, which centers on "the breeding of specific animal species in captivity, ensuring their long-term survival and genetic diversity," per its website.
Asian elephants are listed as endangered across southern and southeastern Asia, their native range, according to the Red List of Threatened Species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These animals are suffering from habitat loss, degradation and poaching, and the International Elephant Foundation estimates that only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain on the Earth.
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The latest addition marks the first of two planned elephant births at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2025. Phoebe, a 38-year-old Asian elephant, is also expecting a calf this fall, according to the zoo.
'This is an incredibly special moment for our entire team and community,' Tom Schmid, the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds, said in a statement. 'Welcoming Sunny's calf is an exciting milestone and an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to the conservation of Asian elephants.
He added: "Every birth brings hope and reminds us why this work matters for the future of their species.'
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