ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade's Elephants 2022

[Jambo]

Thanks. It looks like it went well. I assume the big cow is Kaylee who took the placenta off the calf?

Yes, Donna's mother and an invaluable source of expereince and support to her daughter.

Yes, it was Kaylee. She also performed the valuable kicking of the calf which mothers need to do after the birth to sort of 'awaken' it and enable it to stand up. It's very evident via the video that Donna was very cautious and unsure about the calf, so Kaylee being there was absolutely essential.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes, it was Kaylee. She also performed the valuable kicking of the calf which mothers need to do after the birth to sort of 'awaken' it and enable it to stand up. It's very evident via the video that Donna was very cautious and unsure about the calf, so Kaylee being there was absolutely essential.

It's an obvious benefit of housing elephant in matriachal herds and having at least one elephant (ideally the cow's mother) to assist in situations like these.

In the past, first time mothers have killed their first calf out of fear and ignorance at zoos around the world, including Thi Hi Way at Chester Zoo. Even having this support for the first couple of births can stand the cow in good stead for the future.

Donna may one day perform this role for her own daughter - a perfect replication of the matrilineal social order. Whipsnade should be proud of everything they've achieved - their persistance has paid off.

 

[ZCChip]

Agreed.

it’s interesting to see them being excited (ears flapping and holding tails up). Even Lucha showed excitement.

it’s always wonderful to watch a birth.
Hopefully the calf will have a long healthy, productive life.
I don’t think it’s Donna’s first calf. She had one in 2019 that lived only a few days.

 

[Zoofan15]

Agreed.

it’s interesting to see them being excited (ears flapping and holding tails up). Even Lucha showed excitement.

it’s always wonderful to watch a birth.
Hopefully the calf will have a long healthy, productive life.
I don’t think it’s Donna’s first calf. She had one in 2019 that lived only a few days.

Yes, you're correct. Sadly Donna's first calf died as a neonate, so she didn't experience the full maternal process of raising a calf. There's every indication this calf is strong and healthy so hopefully it will thrive and conteobute to the long term succession of the herd.

The excitement of the other elephants in the herd highlights what a social species they are. It's clearly so enriching for them all on a level only seen within human society. They're truly remarkable animals.

 

[tigris115]

Is there a correlation between increased breeding success and having an older cow to guide younger cows through motherhood?

 

[Zoofan15]

Is there a correlation between increased breeding success and having an older cow to guide younger cows through motherhood?

It'd be hard to measure as there's complicating factors such as EEHV affecting the calf's chance of survival.

It has been proven that the mortality rate of calves during the birth process is higher for first time mothers - with an increased incidence of stillbirths. For those that surcice, the neonate stage, their survical chances are good provided they remain free from EEHV.

Experienced cows are of great assistance across all stages of a calf's development - but their support is often critical rather than beneficial during the birth process, when there's maximum potential for complications.

 

[tigris115]

It'd be hard to measure as there's complicating factors such as EEHV affecting the calf's chance of survival.

It has been proven that the mortality rate of calves during the birth process is higher for first time mothers - with an increased incidence of stillbirths. For those that surcice, the neonate stage, their survical chances are good provided they remain free from EEHV.

Experienced cows are of great assistance across all stages of a calf's development - but their support is often critical rather than beneficial during the birth process, when there's maximum potential for complications.

Have studies on birth/neonate success ever been done with wild elephants?

 

[ZCChip]

The excitement of the other elephants in the herd highlights what a social species they are. It's clearly so enriching for them all on a level only seen within human society. They're truly remarkable animals.

Definitely! I am not an elephant expert but from my observations over the years babies are the best enrichment for the herd. Space does help some but only with enrichment.
Amsterdam is a good example of this. A postage stamp sized (literally) space but with much enrichment and there is a matriarch line starting with Thong Tai. Everything virtual I have seen is that group is positive.

 

[Zoofan15]

Definitely! I am not an elephant expert but from my observations over the years babies are the best enrichment for the herd. Space does help some but only with enrichment.
Amsterdam is a good example of this. A postage stamp sized (literally) space but with much enrichment and there is a matriarch line starting with Thong Tai. Everything virtual I have seen is that group is positive.

Herd dynamics are by far the most important factor with regards to an elephant's well bring - most physiologically and psychologically.

It's now widely recognised the importance of maintaining matrilineal lines and with breeding no longer the rare event it used to be, it's quite achievable to create herds consisting of related cows to replicate the wild social setting.

Going forward, it's not hard to imagine more and more city zoos will phase out, with medium to large sized herds accommodated at open range zoos.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

Very true, but I think a name like Lily would be a great tribute to the former monarch. The next female could easily be named Charlotte ect; but since the Queen meant so much to the world, and since this calf was born within a month of Elizabeth's death. It's a fitting decision imo.

To fit with Donna and Elizabeth's calves names starting with the same letters as their mothers, I though it could potentially be named Diamond after the queen surpassing the Diamond Jubilee previously.

 

[Zoofan15]

To fit with Donna and Elizabeth's calves names starting with the same letters as their mothers, I though it could potentially be named Diamond after the queen surpassing the Diamond Jubilee previously.

That’s a great idea. It’s also a tie to the first Asian elephant calf born in the UK in 1977 (Jubilee). Though the calf was born at Chester Zoo, it was the start of a successful breeding programme the zoos are all a part of.

I’m confident we’ll see a royal name used either way. I’ve previously predicted Charlotte and Amelia, with the latter also being a tribute to Donna’s sister who passed away from EEHV; though given the recent passing of the Queen, it does indeed seem appropriate to honour her.

 

[rjh]

Alexandra would be a good name to honour the Queen whose full name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.

 

[Zoofan15]

To fit with Donna and Elizabeth's calves names starting with the same letters as their mothers, I though it could potentially be named Diamond after the queen surpassing the Diamond Jubilee previously.

I suppose in light of recent events, we can discount any name that's an overt reference to another royal e.g. Camilla, Kate, Charlotte and Victoria. Arguably Lilibet can be added to this list due to its association with a branch of the family that's broken away from mainstream royalty, which has been a devisive issue for a large number of British people.

 

[Embu]

Alexandra would be a good name to honour the Queen whose full name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.

Forgot about Alexandra being a middle name, what a lovely tribute if chosen

 

[Jambo]

Considering ZSL's strong connection I strongly believe the calf will be named after her majesty in some way or another. Lily and Alexandra are great names to honour her

 

[Lafone]

I suppose in light of recent events, we can discount any name that's an overt reference to another royal e.g. Camilla, Kate, Charlotte and Victoria. Arguably Lilibet can be added to this list due to its association with a branch of the family that's broken away from mainstream royalty, which has been a devisive issue for a large number of British people.

I’d say that some name relating to the late Queen will be a strong candidate for a further naming given her association to Whipsnade even though Elizabeth is already there. A good way to offer another tribute too with a significant animal that’s popular with visitors and who will hopefully herself have a long and happy life.

 

[Zoofan15]

I’d say that some name relating to the late Queen will be a strong candidate for a further naming given her association to Whipsnade even though Elizabeth is already there. A good way to offer another tribute too with a significant animal that’s popular with visitors and who will hopefully herself have a long and happy life.

Another's possibility is Windsor after the House of Windsor. It's a nice way to tie in previous names such as George and Elizabeth, which represents the family links in an elephant herd.

It pays homage to the queen as well as the future of the royal family, which like Whipsnade's elephant herd will continue through the new generation.

 

[Jambo]

Another's possibility is Windsor after the House of Windsor. It's a nice way to tie in previous names such as George and Elizabeth, which represents the family links in an elephant herd.

It pays homage to the queen as well as the future of the royal family, which like Whipsnade's elephant herd will continue through the new generation.

Windsor's a bit of a name; i'd consider Winnie for short.

 

[Lafone]

Up at Whipsnade today and all the cows were back together with the new calf - went back a few times and they were always outside and making use of the whole space.

Elizabeth and the new calf seem to be enjoying each other’s company and had a small play around on the sand hill. When the calf went to sleep Elizabeth managed to wake her up the first time with a subtle back foot nudge.

Donna and Lucha were always with the calf with Elizabeth close by and the others coming and going and doing their own thing - the calf was alarmed by dropping a stick she was playing with and let out some pretty mighty squeals at which point all the cows arrived promptly to form a protective circle which was great to be able to watch.

The elephant talk noted they were happy to have everyone back together and had done the reintroductions slowly so that no one was too boisterous with the youngster.

In answer to a question about names from a visitor (another one was filming it and it was in front of a fair number of people so I don’t think it’s an issue to repeat it here) it was said it would be probably announced after the funeral, the individual giving the talk didn’t know what it was but one of the options that had been discussed and heard about was a name from a native country for the species vs ours.

 

[Zoofan15]

Nang Phaya

Baby Asian elephant named ‘Queen’ at UK’s largest zoo

As mentioned last month in the Whipsnade thread, Donna’s calf has been named Nang Phaya, a Thai name meaning “Queen” in a tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away the month she was born.

It’s interesting to note this is the first time a calf born at ZSL has been given a Thai media name, with her birth following on from the following named calves:

0.1 Elizabeth (2016)
1.0 Sam (2014)
1.0 Max (2013)
1.0 Scott (2011)
1.0 George (2010)
0.1 Donna (2009)
1.0 Donaldson (2008)
0.1 Leelee (2007)
1.0 Euan (2004)
0.1 Aneena (2004) *Arabic name

I really like the culturally appropriate name and will be interested to see if they carry it on with all of Ming Jung’s calves.