Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

‘Miracle’ of Sydney’s baby elephant

‘Miracle’ of Sydney’s baby elephant
March 11, 2010

A baby elephant thought to have died in its mother's womb was "miraculously" born alive at Taronga Zoo yesterday morning.

Two days after Taronga Zoo announced its Asian elephant Porntip had lost her male calf during a difficult labour, the zoo announced the calf was born alive.

Taronga Zoo's Director, Cameron Kerr explained "her dedicated keepers reported the amazing news early this morning, that the calf had been born and was showing signs of life, to Taronga's veterinary team, who immediately rushed to the elephant barn to assist Porntip and the calf.

"The long-standing, detailed plans were immediately put into place to support the calf in its very delicate situation.

"Porntip is with the calf as her keepers and the veterinary team work to support them both.

"His health is being monitored and it is still too early to know if the calf will survive long term."

Zoo spokesman Mark Williams added "the Asian Elephant calf born unexpectedly at Taronga Zoo ... is receiving intensive care from its keepers and the veterinary team, and is still with its mother, Porntip."

Overnight the male calf has been progressing well, suckling and standing independently and being supported by its mother - Porntip and her calf remaining in a heated elephant barn while it is being cared for by the elephant birth team. This is good news as Williams had explained that "the first 24 hours for this calf are critical if it is to survive, and the elephant keeping team and senior vets are providing round-the-clock care to both Porntip and her calf."

Porntip, whose name means 'eternally blessed' in Thai, arrived at Taronga Zoo in 2006 from work camps in Thailand and was included in the zoo's conservation breeding program.

Related Articles

7th July 2009 - Taronga Zoo lifts sponsorship


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The P.A. People

The P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

PaySmart

Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Pricemark Pty Ltd

Pricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry. 

read more

Access

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Abel Sports

INTRODUCTION Abel Sports is Australia’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of Goal Posts, sports ground safety netting systems and coaches boxes for Stadiums ,Sports Clubs, Councils and…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business