ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade's Elephants 2022
- Thread starter Rajang-GOAT
- Start date
Ming Jung was the only one we could see, all the others were inside off view.
Good news to hear the calf has been born!
Although I’m sure there’s no cause for concern, it’d be nice if the announcement had included a mention that the calf was healthy.
Since Donna’s new to raising a calf, perhaps they just feel it’s advantageous to have the herd around her during this time.
Although I’m sure there’s no cause for concern, it’d be nice if the announcement had included a mention that the calf was healthy.
Since Donna’s new to raising a calf, perhaps they just feel it’s advantageous to have the herd around her during this time.
Fantastic news for Whipsnade! This both Donna and Ming Jung's first surviving calf.
From what i'm reading into it is that Whipsnade are just more reserved this time around, especially considering what happened with Donna's first birth. I think they're just giving her and the herd space and time to bond with the new calf. Donna will need all the help she can receive.
The European zoos seem to keep their newborn calves inside for longer periods than the Australian zoos (even during the warmer months). This is probably due to having better facilities to house them indoors for extended periods.
It's surely a good chance for the herd to bond and the more experienced females to be supporting Donna. It's fortunate she has both her mother and Karishma in the herd.
Ultimately as/when/if the calf makes an appearance the decision will be guided by the herd, then the keepers. For now I’m cautiously optimistic (and hoping for a female!)
The keepers are most likely giving the herd privacy during this time, so won't know much about the calves health, sex ect. yet. Hopefully we get an announcement soon though; I too am hoping for a female!
After the herd experiencing so many set backs, a surviving female calf would be valuable to the herd and to Kaylee and Donna in establishing ZSL's first three generation matrilineal line.
This calf will also be Elizabeth's first opportunity to observe the successful rearing of a calf.
This calf will also be Elizabeth's first opportunity to observe the successful rearing of a calf.
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Out of interest, how genetically important is Ming Jung?
He's relatively valuable. His parents each have three surviving offspring and of those, Ming Jung is the only one to have produced offspring.
Donna's calf has been identified as female by the keepers. The house has now reopened.
Mammoth arrival at UK’s largest zoo
Mammoth arrival at UK’s largest zoo
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Lovely news - she looks great.
Wonderful news!!! A female calf is great for the future of Whipsnade's herd, and ultimately rather essential for succession of Donna (and Kaylee's) line in the future. She becomes Whipsnade's seventh elephant, and sixth female.
On an interesting note, the calf looks rather small, which isn't a concern, but it would be interesting to just see how small (weight wise) the calf was at birth. Overall though, the calf does look healthy; I can't wait to see it grow over the next few months and years.
Fantastic news. A healthy calf, and a female as well! We couldn’t ask for more.
Hopefully the first calf sired by Ming Jung is the first of many to come; with Karishma welcoming a calf in the next 2-3 years, followed by Elizabeth.
Elephantelephant
Well-Known Member
Great news! It is the first female calf ever born in Europe this year, so it is extremely valuable. I wish her good health and avoid EEHV if possible.
I wouldn’t be overly concerned. There have been some weedy-looking calves born over the years which gone on to thrive! There’s also some very interesting hidden camera footage of the birth.
Methinks the zoo will be rather more busy over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend!
Footage of the elephant birth is now on the BBC News website.
This is wonderful news for the elephant herd
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Zoofan15 the future is bright for Whipsnade’s Elephant herd. Not only is this the first time 3 generations have resided at the Zoo,but this Calf is Ming Jung’s first,Donna’s first surviving,another valuable future breeding Cowe for Whipsnade,the first calf too be born in the full heard. As previously mentioned prior to 2019 the heard was split,because of Mya. I cannot wait for the next couple of years,when Karishma and Elizabeth will have Calfs sired by Ming Jung.
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ZSL should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved. Their persistance has paid off and they potentially have two young, viable cows and two pre-re productive cows for succession.
I'm cautiously optimistic that EEHV will prove less prevalent with a cohesive integrated herd lowering stess levels. It still pays to be vigilant however.