Blackpool Zoo has released a heart-wrenching statement after two of their endangered Asian elephants tragically lost their babies. The entire elephant herd is reportedly mourning the loss, leaving the staff devastated.
One of the baby elephants died in utero, while the other passed away earlier this month due to its mother’s inability to feed it. Noorjahan and Esha, the elephant mother and daughter duo who have been residing at the zoo since 2018, were relocated from Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire.
Earlier this year, the announcement of their pregnancies was celebrated as part of an urgent programme to save the species. However, the joy turned into sorrow this month when it was revealed that both calves had died.
Despite both mothers successfully giving birth, neither of the babies survived. Noorjahan’s calf, which did not fully develop, died in the womb and was only discovered when she went into labour naturally in September.
Esha gave birth on November 4, surrounded by the herd, but it soon became apparent that she was struggling to rear her newborn and would not allow the calf to suckle, reports the Mirror.
The protective herd initially prevented zookeepers from approaching the newborn calf for a full day. Staff at the zoo then set up a 24-hour care rota and managed to secure enough feed for the calf from Esha and plasma from Noorjahan.
However, the calf’s health took a turn for the worse when it began suffering seizures just days after birth, and despite best efforts, it passed away on November 7. A postmortem revealed that the calf had succumbed to an infection, having missed out on crucial nutrients and vitamins from colostrum in its first hours.
Adam Kenyon, of Blackpool Zoo, commented: “As elephants are extremely intelligent animals and will mourn the loss, we are continuing to monitor them all closely. The relationships developed between our elephant care team and the elephants themselves are truly extraordinary. Without this level of dedication and commitment, we would not be able to provide the optimal levels of care we strive for at Blackpool Zoo. We are immensely grateful to the team, knowing that we did everything possible to try to save the calf, and wish to thank them for their huge efforts.
“We hope that everyone will respect our team during this difficult time.”
Asian elephants have been recognised as endangered since 1986, with their numbers thought to have plummeted by at least 50 percent in the last three generations. To tackle the challenge, Blackpool Zoo has initiated Project Elephant—an endeavour emphasising the enduring management, breeding and welfare of its elephant inhabitants.
The zoo has also announced its most substantial financial commitment to date, introducing the UK’s biggest indoor elephant enclosure alongside a selection of outdoor spaces tailored to meet the intricate requirements of Asian elephants.
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