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Ryley said:
I was told Zaiya has tried to suckle but because of Tara’s inexperience of nursing babies, Tara is struggling. She panics when Zaiya isn’t in her sight (excluding when she’s feeding from the hay net). Other than the feeding issue, Tara is a really good mum, Noorjahan has been a great support.
As of a few days ago, Zaiya weighs 88kg.
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It's no real surprise re. Tara struggling a little. It is important to remember she is a first time mother, and it's good that she's seemingly learning and getting support from Noorjahan.

I noticed Noorjahan acting as a second mother in many of the videos shared, which is completely normal as calves are naturally born in a herd setting where the other experienced mothers will help out the new mother (especially if she's a first time).

Do you know if Esha has been psychically introduced to Zaiya yet?
 
Jambo said:
It's no real surprise re. Tara struggling a little. It is important to remember she is a first time mother, and it's good that she's seemingly learning and getting support from Noorjahan.

I noticed Noorjahan acting as a second mother in many of the videos shared, which is completely normal as calves are naturally born in a herd setting where the other experienced mothers will help out the new mother (especially if she's a first time).

Do you know if Esha has been psychically introduced to Zaiya yet?
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I believe Zaiya is currently in with both Esha and Noorjahan. Esha is going out with the rest of the herd as well.
 
Baringogiraffe12 said:
I believe Zaiya is currently in with both Esha and Noorjahan. Esha is going out with the rest of the herd as well.
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Yes, that’s right. It seems Esha’s time with the baby is being split up and she’s also spending time with her closely bonded companions Minbu and Kate. Emmett is also with her and Minbu sometimes but because he and Kate don’t get along, the two are shifted around.
 
Ryley said:
Yes, that’s right. It seems Esha’s time with the baby is being split up and she’s also spending time with her closely bonded companions Minbu and Kate. Emmett is also with her and Minbu sometimes but because he and Kate don’t get along, the two are shifted around.
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Interesting, I didn't realise Kate & Emmett still don't get along, but then she's an older cow who hadn't lived with a bull for many years if ever.
Persumably Kate & Minbu get on well?
 
Embu said:
Interesting, I didn't realise Kate & Emmett still don't get along, but then she's an older cow who hadn't lived with a bull for many years if ever.
Persumably Kate & Minbu get on well?
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Yes, Kate and Minbu get along very well now. At first, the two had tensions because Kate wanted to become Matriarch but so did Minbu. Eventually it settled with Minbu being matriarch but Kate still having a high status. Nowadays I don’t know much about the hierarchy anymore except Noorjahan is the matriarch now.
 
Ryley said:
Yes, Kate and Minbu get along very well now. At first, the two had tensions because Kate wanted to become Matriarch but so did Minbu. Eventually it settled with Minbu being matriarch but Kate still having a high status. Nowadays I don’t know much about the hierarchy anymore except Noorjahan is the matriarch now.
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Yes, in recent years Noorjahan has taken over the role as matriarch. Kate doesn’t run in with Emmett at all anymore.
 
catfan said:
I asked a keeper whether she was trying to suckle from mum if/when Tara lay down to sleep and he said she isn't
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That would be an unlikely option for a tiny inexperienced calf like this I don't think- the normal position being with head raised under the mother's belly. It might happen with a more experienced calf which associates the milk smell with sucking the teats etc though I don't know if that happens at all i.e. suckling a lying down mother.
 
Taken from email newsletter received earlier

Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 support from our dedicated keepers.

After a challenging birth and with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya didn't begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible.

Keepers now feed her every two hours with specialised elephant milk in a secure area near the herd, allowing her to return at her own pace. This ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour.

Watch her being fed here 84K views · 1.9K reactions | Raising an elephant is a mammoth task Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 supervision and nutritional support from our dedicated keepers. After a difficult birth, combined with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya did not begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible. Keepers feed Zaiya every two hours in a secure calf area near the herd. When ready, she comes through for her bottle of specialised elephant milk and returns to the herd at her own pace. This method ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour. Throughout feeding sessions, Mum Tara and the other females remain close, enabling them to keep an eye on Zaiya or physically reassure her if needed, which maintains the crucial bond and protective instincts that are key elements in any elephant family. Visit Zaiya and the rest of the herd this half-term! Read more on our blog https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/blog/elephant-feeding | Blackpool Zoo
 
catfan said:
Taken from email newsletter received earlier

Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 support from our dedicated keepers.

After a challenging birth and with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya didn't begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible.

Keepers now feed her every two hours with specialised elephant milk in a secure area near the herd, allowing her to return at her own pace. This ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour.

Watch her being fed here 84K views · 1.9K reactions | Raising an elephant is a mammoth task Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 supervision and nutritional support from our dedicated keepers. After a difficult birth, combined with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya did not begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible. Keepers feed Zaiya every two hours in a secure calf area near the herd. When ready, she comes through for her bottle of specialised elephant milk and returns to the herd at her own pace. This method ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour. Throughout feeding sessions, Mum Tara and the other females remain close, enabling them to keep an eye on Zaiya or physically reassure her if needed, which maintains the crucial bond and protective instincts that are key elements in any elephant family. Visit Zaiya and the rest of the herd this half-term! Read more on our blog https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/blog/elephant-feeding | Blackpool Zoo
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Zaiya is such a little sweetheart, I hope she continues to do well. I'm not planning any more visits to Blackpool until the weather gets nicer in Spring, but I do look forward to seeing her for myself.
 
catfan said:
Taken from email newsletter received earlier

Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 support from our dedicated keepers.

After a challenging birth and with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya didn't begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible.

Keepers now feed her every two hours with specialised elephant milk in a secure area near the herd, allowing her to return at her own pace. This ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour.

Watch her being fed here 84K views · 1.9K reactions | Raising an elephant is a mammoth task Seven-week-old Zaiya is thriving thanks to the 24/7 supervision and nutritional support from our dedicated keepers. After a difficult birth, combined with the inexperience of first-time mum Tara, Zaiya did not begin suckling naturally, resulting in keepers taking the difficult but life-saving decision to provide nutritional support in the most effective way possible. Keepers feed Zaiya every two hours in a secure calf area near the herd. When ready, she comes through for her bottle of specialised elephant milk and returns to the herd at her own pace. This method ensures she gets the nutrition she needs with minimal disruption to the herd’s natural behaviour. Throughout feeding sessions, Mum Tara and the other females remain close, enabling them to keep an eye on Zaiya or physically reassure her if needed, which maintains the crucial bond and protective instincts that are key elements in any elephant family. Visit Zaiya and the rest of the herd this half-term! Read more on our blog https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/blog/elephant-feeding | Blackpool Zoo
Click to expand...
She’s such a beautiful, sweet little baby! I visit her atleast once a week and I’ve always left very satisfied and proud with her progress as should her keepers :)
 
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