Baby Male Elephant Born at ERU Camp in Way Kambas National Park

The population of Sumatran elephants ("Elephas maximus sumatranus") in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, increased after a baby elephant was born, Saturday (11/11/2023). The birth of this elephant gives hope to the world of conservation.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Bayi Gajah Jantan Lahir di Camp ERU Taman Nasional Way Kambas

NAZARUDDIN UNTUK KOMPAS

A male baby Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) was born at Camp Elephant Response Unit Region II Bungur, Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung, Lampung, on Saturday (11/11/2023).

BANDAR LAMPUNG, KOMPAS — A male baby Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) was born at Camp Elephant Response Unit Region II Bungur, Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung, Lampung, on Saturday (11/11 /2023). The birth of this elephant gives hope for conservation efforts for Sumatran elephants amidst the threat of extinction of this wild animal.

Elephant Response Unit (ERU) Coordinator of TN Way Kambas, Nazaruddin, stated that the baby elephant was born from its mother elephant, Riska, on Saturday at approximately 5:30 am. "This baby elephant is the second child of Riska, which is the result of mating with a male elephant named Aji at the ERU Camp," said Nazaruddin when contacted from Bandar Lampung on Saturday afternoon.

According to him, currently the parent and baby elephant are in good condition. The baby elephant was born weighing 108 kilograms. Shortly after birth, the elephant calf was already able to stand, walk, and suckle from its parent. The parent and baby elephant are still under the supervision of a medical team.

Previously, according to Nazaruddin, Riska the elephant gave birth to her first child in 2017. The female elephant, named Linda, is now six years old and growing up healthy at Camp ERU.

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

An elephant handler or mahout bathes a tame elephant at the elephant conservation center in Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung, Lampung, some time ago.

The birth of this baby elephant is the first at Camp ERU throughout the year 2023. However, there are still two other pregnant female elephants. Two more baby elephants are predicted to be born at Camp ERU next year.

With the birth of the elephant calf, currently the number of elephants being cared for in three Camp ERU locations totals 28. According to them, the birth of this baby elephant is a success in the efforts to breed tame elephants in the wild.

This elephant calf is the second offspring of elephant Riska who was bred with a male elephant named Aji at Camp ERU.

So far, the medical team has been trying to mate male and female elephants naturally in the breeding facility. However, the team still faces difficulties in detecting signs of estrus in female elephants through ultrasonography exams. "The officers can only observe changes in the elephant's behavior, which becomes more aggressive during mating season," he said.

The birth of an elephant at Camp ERU Way Kambas also gives hope for the conservation efforts of this rare animal. Currently, the Sumatran elephant is still threatened with extinction due to illegal hunting activities or death.

Based on Kompas records, throughout 2023, two elephants died in Way Kambas National Park. In June 2023, a male elephant named Mambo, who was kept at the Elephant Training Center (PLG) TN Way Kambas, was found dead in a cage. The 45 year old tame elephant is thought to have died due to illness.

Meanwhile, in August 2023, a wild elephant was found dead in the forest of Way Kambas National Park. The deceased elephant was discovered with a hole in its body and no ivory tusks.

Also read: Elephant dies in WKNP, team of doctors performs necropsy

Separately, Sukatmoko from the Public Relations of Way Kambas National Park stated that they are continuously striving to breed tame elephants, both in the ERU Camp and the Way Kambas NP Breeding Centre. Currently, there are 34 tame elephants being kept in the Way Kambas NP Breeding Centre.

DOKUMENTASI TNWK

The doctor team examined a 4 years and 7 months old elephant calf found dead at the Elephant Training Center in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, on Sunday (30/10/2022).

Throughout 2023, a baby elephant was born in Way Kambas National Park. This male elephant calf was born from mother named Suli on April 8, 2023. Currently, the seven-month-old elephant is growing up healthy under the supervision of veterinary team from TN Way Kambas, together with its mother.

Also read: Male Elephant Born at Way Kambas National Park Elephant Training Center