That's one El' of a Baby!

Dublin Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a new Asian elephant. The calf, which is yet to be named, was born to mother Yasmin at 7.22am on Thursday, after a 22 month gestation period. The healthy bull is an estimated 1.2metres tall and weighs approximately 80kg – equivalent to the weight of an adult human.
 
The new arrival will join the rest of the herd – Bernhardine, Anak, Asha, mum Yasmin and dad Upali, in the Kaziranga Forest Trail at Dublin Zoo, which will now be sponsored by The Natural Confectionery Company.
 
Paul O’Donoghue, assistant director at Dublin Zoo said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the new arrival. The calf was born within three minutes and after eight minutes he was up and taking his first steps, watched closely by his mum Yasmin and the rest of the females in the herd. Yasmin is an experienced mother and is bonding well with the calf, which is very strong and suckling well. He has been given a warm welcome by the rest of the herd who are being very protective. This male is a significant birth because he will play an important role in the conservation of Asian elephants”, Paul added.
 
The newborn is Yasmin’s third calf and a significant success for Dublin Zoo as part of the international breeding programme established to assist the survival of the Asian elephant. It is estimated that only 30,000 to 60,000 of these animals exist in the wild, with the largest population found in India*.
 
In a double celebration, Dublin Zoo also welcomed The Natural Confectionery Company on board as sponsors of the Asian elephant habitat - the Kaziranga Forest Trail. The partnership between Dublin Zoo and The Natural Confectionery Company is a great fit for both parties and will help contribute to the upkeep of the Kaziranga Forest Trail and conservation programmes in the wild.
 
Visitors can see Upali, Bernhardine, Yasmin and her new calf, Anak and Asha at the Kaziranga Forest Trail daily. You can also keep an eye on the herd on the elephant webcam at www.dublinzoo.ie. The Zoo will also be keeping the public updated on Yasmin and her calf with daily #DublinElephants updates on the Dublin Zoo Facebook www.facebook.com/dublinzoo and Twitter @DublinZoo
Details of the TNCC naming competition can be found on www.facebook.com/thenaturalconfectioneryco
 
The keeper talk ‘Elephant Encounters’ happens at 12.30pm every day, so this is a good time to visit the Kaziranga Forest Trail to learn more about Asian elephants. Dublin Zoo, a not-for-profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm.