6 days ago
African forest elephant gives birth at Japanese zoo
An African forest elephant has given birth at a zoo in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This is the first time an elephant of this endangered species has been born in Japan.
Officials at Asa Zoological Park say the elephant, called May, gave birth to a baby shortly before 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
The officials say the calf was smaller than expected, measuring about 75 centimeters at the highest point on its back. They add its gender is not yet known.
The baby elephant was seen walking and trying to suckle. But it could not reach its mother's breast, so zookeepers have piled up straw on the floor to help it.
The mother was also seen caring for the baby, touching it with her trunk.
African forest elephants inhabit forest areas in Africa and have oval-shaped ears.
There are only two in Japan -- May, a female, and Dai, a male. Both live in Asa Zoo.
The zoo has been working to breed the pair. Last summer, it confirmed May's pregnancy, the first of this species in Japan.
A woman in her 60s from Hiroshima said she is very happy about the birth and looks forward to seeing May and her baby playing together.
Zoo director Abe Katsuhiko said he is relieved that the mother and baby are in good health.
He added the zoo will closely monitor the baby's growth and ensure it does not get injured.
The zoo says it will decide when visitors will be allowed to see the elephants by taking into account factors such as their health condition.
