Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2022

[IndianRhino]

How very exciting! The region finally has a calf on the ground after 4 years! And the region's first second-generation birth to add to that! I'm also pretty sure this is the first instance of a cow in the region having 3 calves which is also very exciting! I hope all goes well with Dokkoon and her calf and I'm looking forward to seeing this little one interact with the other 2 calves once they're born!

This past week has been wonderful in terms of elephant news in the US and I'm thrilled it's continuing on in Australia as well!

 

[Swanson02]

Birth Announcement!

Dokkoon has delivered a healthy calf at Melbourne Zoo.

Gender to be confirmed.

The calf is the first sired by Luk Chai and the third born to mother, Dokkoon.

This is also the first surviving elephant calf born at Melbourne Zoo in nine years and the first born in the region in four years.

Absolutely fantastic news!!! Well done Melbourne!

 

[Zoofan15]

How very exciting! The region finally has a calf on the ground after 4 years! And the region's first second-generation birth to add to that! I'm also pretty sure this is the first instance of a cow in the region having 3 calves which is also very exciting! I hope all goes well with Dokkoon and her calf and I'm looking forward to seeing this little one interact with the other 2 calves once they're born!

This past week has been wonderful in terms of elephant news in the US and I'm thrilled it's continuing on in Australia as well!

It’s hugely exciting. Three calves born to one cow is a regional first, which will soon be matched when Num Oi delivers her third calf within the next two months.

In Dokkoon’s case, both of her previous calves are surviving - so this is a very special achievement that hopefully one day will become commonplace with regular breeding taking place at Werribee.

It’s also a regional first to have three calves born at one facility within this timeframe. Taronga has had three calves at once - but born across 16 months.

 

[Zorro]

Wonderful news indeed.

 

[Jambo]

Video has been released of the birth:

Spoiler: Link

Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Melbourne Zoo has welcomed a gorgeous, healthy Asian Elephant calf and we're absolutely smitten! In the early hours of this morning, Melbourne Zoo has welcomed the exciting arrival of a healthy Asian Elephant calf, to superstar mum Dokkoon and first-time dad, Luk Chai. This birth represents a major success for the Asian Elephant Cooperative Conservation Program for the Endangered species, especially as wild populations continue to decline. We know some of you will be bursting with excitement to visit the calf, but for now we ask you to hold tight! Mum and bub need some quiet time to adjust and rest - remember they are going to stay teeny tiny (for an elephant!) for some time. Mum and calf will be taking some time in private to bond and get to know each other. Trail of the Elephants will remain closed until further notice. For now, enjoy this first, precious glimpse of the calf arriving."

 

[Swanson02]

It’s hugely exciting. Three calves born to one cow is a regional first, which will soon be matched when Num Oi delivers her third calf within the next two months.

In Dokkoon’s case, both of her previous calves are surviving - so this is a very special achievement that hopefully one day will become commonplace with regular breeding taking place at Werribee.

It’s also a regional first to have three calves born at one facility within this timeframe. Taronga has had three calves at once - but born across 16 months.

How will the naming work? Will they leave it till the end of Jan to name all three at once? I assume it will be chosen from a list of preselected names too. Also, will the public be able to vote for 1-2 of the names?

It would be nice if one of the names had something to do with being the last-ever elephants at Melbourne, i.e. 'end of an era' or something similar in Thai. I think it would also be nice if Mali's calf's name paid respect or honored Mali's father's name in some way. A name relating to the extra rainy year we have had and how tough it has been for some people would be good too.

 

[ZCChip]

Video has been released of the birth:

Spoiler: Link

Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Melbourne Zoo has welcomed a gorgeous, healthy Asian Elephant calf and we're absolutely smitten! In the early hours of this morning, Melbourne Zoo has welcomed the exciting arrival of a healthy Asian Elephant calf, to superstar mum Dokkoon and first-time dad, Luk Chai. This birth represents a major success for the Asian Elephant Cooperative Conservation Program for the Endangered species, especially as wild populations continue to decline. We know some of you will be bursting with excitement to visit the calf, but for now we ask you to hold tight! Mum and bub need some quiet time to adjust and rest - remember they are going to stay teeny tiny (for an elephant!) for some time. Mum and calf will be taking some time in private to bond and get to know each other. Trail of the Elephants will remain closed until further notice. For now, enjoy this first, precious glimpse of the calf arriving."

Looks like a very healthy strong baby!!’ Good news!!

 

[Zoofan15]

How will the naming work? Will they leave it till the end of Jan to name all three at once? I assume it will be chosen from a list of preselected names too. Also, will the public be able to vote for 1-2 of the names?

It would be nice if one of the names had something to do with being the last-ever elephants at Melbourne, i.e. 'end of an era' or something similar in Thai. I think it would also be nice if Mali's calf's name paid respect or honored Mali's father's name in some way. A name relating to the extra rainy year we have had and how tough it has been for some people would be good too.

I’d imagine this calf will be getting a name quite soon as the other births could potentially be up to two months away and aside from wanting to promote this exciting event (a calf with a name is more marketable), they’ll be referring to this calf with regards to the upcoming births.

Bong Su was (and is) very special to the Melbourne team, so a way to honour him would be nice. Perhaps a Thai name meaning “grandson’ as this also references Gung/Luk Chai (Luk Chai means “son”).

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a name meaning journey/future (particularly for a female calf) to represent the transition to Werribee and the growth of the herd.

I would assume all three names will be decided by public voting on pre-selected names.

 

[Swanson02]

Video has been released of the birth:

Spoiler: Link

Zoos Victoria on Instagram: "Melbourne Zoo has welcomed a gorgeous, healthy Asian Elephant calf and we're absolutely smitten! In the early hours of this morning, Melbourne Zoo has welcomed the exciting arrival of a healthy Asian Elephant calf, to superstar mum Dokkoon and first-time dad, Luk Chai. This birth represents a major success for the Asian Elephant Cooperative Conservation Program for the Endangered species, especially as wild populations continue to decline. We know some of you will be bursting with excitement to visit the calf, but for now we ask you to hold tight! Mum and bub need some quiet time to adjust and rest - remember they are going to stay teeny tiny (for an elephant!) for some time. Mum and calf will be taking some time in private to bond and get to know each other. Trail of the Elephants will remain closed until further notice. For now, enjoy this first, precious glimpse of the calf arriving."

Great to see Mali observing a seamless and relatively textbook birth, hopefully, she has soaked up a lot. Dokkoon seems to be very experienced now too, standing over the calf to help protect it from being knocked over. Hopefully her previously "Head in the clouds" mothering style was just a symptom of little experience.

 

[Zoofan15]

Great to see Mali observing a seamless and relatively textbook birth, hopefully, she has soaked up a lot. Dokkoon seems to be very experienced now too, standing over the calf to help protect it from being knocked over. Hopefully her previously "Head in the clouds" mothering style was just a symptom of little experience.

It’s a great experience for Mali - especially so close to own impending birth and will surely benefit her. It’s been nine years since she witnessed the raising of a calf and she was only approaching four years herself when Man Jai was born, so it’s beneficial for what knowledge/experience she has to be compounded.

Mali appeared to be giving Dokkoon and the calf space, which is a sign of her inexperience. I’d expect Dokkoon to be much closer to Mali (who will rely on her guidance) when delivering the calf.

The role of the experienced cows in the herd is to calm the mother and physically prevent her from trampling the newborn out of fear/ignorance when it lands at her feet.

 

[Swanson02]

It’s a great experience for Mali - especially so close to own impending birth and will surely benefit her. It’s been nine years since she witnessed the raising of a calf and she was only approaching four years herself when Man Jai was born, so it’s beneficial for what knowledge/experience she has to be compounded.

Mali appeared to be giving Dokkoon and the calf space, which is a sign of her inexperience. I’d expect Dokkoon to be much closer to Mali (who will rely on her guidance) when delivering the calf.

The role of the experienced cows in the herd is to calm the mother and physically prevent her from trampling the newborn out of fear/ignorance when it lands at her feet.

Was Mek Kepah seen in the video? Obviously this would have likely been the first birth she has witnessed too

 

[Jambo]

Was Mek Kepah seen in the video? Obviously this would have likely been the first birth she has witnessed too

I didn't see her in the footage.

As i've said before on here; the stalls aren't that large - and so it probably wouldn't be advisable to put three cows in there alongside a new born calf. It would be beneficial to give mother and calf space, so I wouldn't be surprised if Mek Kapah wasn't actually apart of the birth unlike Melbourne previously stated

 

[Jambo]

How will the naming work? Will they leave it till the end of Jan to name all three at once? I assume it will be chosen from a list of preselected names too. Also, will the public be able to vote for 1-2 of the names?

It would be nice if one of the names had something to do with being the last-ever elephants at Melbourne, i.e. 'end of an era' or something similar in Thai. I think it would also be nice if Mali's calf's name paid respect or honored Mali's father's name in some way. A name relating to the extra rainy year we have had and how tough it has been for some people would be good too.

I’d imagine this calf will be getting a name quite soon as the other births could potentially be up to two months away and aside from wanting to promote this exciting event (a calf with a name is more marketable), they’ll be referring to this calf with regards to the upcoming births.

Bong Su was (and is) very special to the Melbourne team, so a way to honour him would be nice. Perhaps a Thai name meaning “grandson’ as this also references Gung/Luk Chai (Luk Chai means “son”).

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a name meaning journey/future (particularly for a female calf) to represent the transition to Werribee and the growth of the herd.

I would assume all three names will be decided by public voting on pre-selected names.

Naming wise- the calf will be named within the coming month.

In the past, Melbourne's keepers have selected three or four appropriate Thai names; and the public has then voted on their favourite name.

I imagine that tradition will be followed this time around too.

A name honouring Bong Su too would be amazing and would surely get my vote. Bong Su's name meant 'little boy' I think - so possibly they could orchestrate something similar in Thai.

 

[Swanson02]

Naming wise- the calf will be named within the coming month.

In the past, Melbourne's keepers have selected three or four appropriate Thai names; and the public has then voted on their favourite name.

I imagine that tradition will be followed this time around too.

A name honouring Bong Su too would be amazing and would surely get my vote. Bong Su's name meant 'little boy' I think - so possibly they could orchestrate something similar in Thai.

I think Mali's calf would be the best one to honour Bong Su as she is his daughter. I think Num Oi's calf should have something to do with joy or luck due to her sad history and I think Dokkoon's calf could possibly relate to the future/journey to Werribee as @Zoofan15 mentioned.

Also, genetics wise who are we predicting to be the largest of these three calves both as infants and as adults? Assuming (for now) they are all male I would think that Dokkoons calf would be the largest due to Num Oi and Mali both being smaller females. Saying that Mali's father is Bong Su and he produced the largest cohort of calves.

 

[Jambo]

Also, genetics wise who are we predicting to be the largest of these three calves both as infants and as adults? Assuming (for now) they are all male I would think that Dokkoons calf would be the largest due to Num Oi and Mali both being smaller females. Saying that Mali's father is Bong Su and he produced the largest cohort of calves.

Num Oi's the biggest female, so i'd probably lean towards her. She's had big boys in the past (although they were sired by Bong Su). Dokkoon's calf will probably be the smallest imo - she's the smallest female in Melbourne's herd (besides her own daughter, Mali).

Luk Chai's a small bull though, so I doubt we'd see these calves rivalling Melbourne's previous calves in size.

 

[Zoofan15]

Also, genetics wise who are we predicting to be the largest of these three calves both as infants and as adults? Assuming (for now) they are all male I would think that Dokkoons calf would be the largest due to Num Oi and Mali both being smaller females. Saying that Mali's father is Bong Su and he produced the largest cohort of calves.

I would assume Num Oi’s calf would be the heaviest. Dokkoon isn’t a short elephant, but is lean so her calf would be in-between Num Oi’s and Mali’s, who we can safely say would be the smallest.

Luk Chai is a small bull, which he inherits from both his parents - so while pairing him with Mali will hopefully ensure she won’t be delivering a large calf (large frame and large birth weight), it’ll likely be a small elephant.

 

[Jambo]

I would assume Num Oi’s calf would be the heaviest. Dokkoon isn’t a short elephant, but is lean so her calf would be in-between Num Oi’s and Mali’s, who we can safely say would be the smallest.

Luk Chai is a small bull, which he inherits from both his parents - so while pairing him with Mali will hopefully ensure she won’t be delivering a large calf (large frame and large birth weight), it’ll likely be a small elephant.

Mali’s more lean than Dokkoon; I think she takes after her dad in that aspect, so I imagine if she can transfer her fathers incredible size genetics, we can possibly expect a decent sized calf.

Dokkoon has previously delivered decent sized calves (with Bong Su as the father), so we can assume with a smaller bull now, her calves will be small. From the footage and photos, it does look to be a small, lean calf too.

 

[Swanson02]

Mali’s more lean than Dokkoon; I think she takes after her dad in that aspect, so I imagine if she can transfer her fathers incredible size genetics, we can possibly expect a decent sized calf.

Dokkoon has previously delivered decent sized calves (with Bong Su as the father), so we can assume with a smaller bull now, her calves will be small. From the footage and photos, it does look to be a small, lean calf too.

Side question relating to Bong Su's calves, who is larger Pathi Harn or Ongard?

 

[Jambo]

Side question relating to Bong Su's calves, who is larger Pathi Harn or Ongard?

I haven’t seen Ongard in years, but going back a few years ago Ongard was definitely the bigger male- and going further back, he was the biggest elephant calf on record in Australia.

Considering Pathi Harm’s grown a lot in recent years though, and he has quite a tall mother in Porntip; I wouldn’t put it past him in being bigger nowadays.

 

[Zoofan15]

Side question relating to Bong Su's calves, who is larger Pathi Harn or Ongard?

At birth, Ongard was significantly heavier and remains the heaviest calf born in the region to date:

1.0 Pathi Harn born 2010 (Porntip): 116kg
1.0 Ongard born 2010 (Kulab): 142 kg

Without knowing their weights, I’m unable to say for sure - but looking at recent photos, Pathi Harn appears stockier in appearance and taller.