First African elephant baby born in captivity in Thailand


Thailand Sunday saw the first ever birth of an African elephant in captivity at state-owned Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo.

The male baby, whose name is pending a naming contest result, is the only third African elephant in Thailand. Born to his African elephant parents exactly at 4.09 am Sunday morning, he is fathered by Ap and mothered by Jaew, both 17 years old, which were brought to Thailand from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1998.

Zoo director Banyat Insuwan said the baby elephant was healthy and measured 40 kg in weight and 70 cm in height and 100 cm in length. Competitors can send it names in postal postcards to Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, 111, Moo 1, RatchasimaPak Thongchai Road, Muang district, zip code 30000. He did not say what the prize award was for the winner.

The Nation