Muddy Playtime: Baby Elephants Revel in Refreshing Mudbath Delight at Chester Zoo
Published on
Adorable Baby Elephants Enjoy Playful Mudbath at Chester Zoo
A heartwarming scene unfolded at Chester Zoo as baby elephants reveled in the joy of a muddy escapade nearly a year after the arrival of the youngest member of the herd.
Best buddies: The calves were photographed playing, rolling and splashing about in the mud at Chester Zoo on Thursday
Captivating photos captured the moment the calf elephants rolled, splashed, and played in the muddy terrain, showcasing their sheer delight on a sunny Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chester Zoo celebrated a significant addition to its Asian elephant family earlier this year, with the birth of a male calf to 20-year-old mother Sithami Hi-Way in January.
Family outing: The zoo welcomed its latest addition to its herd of Asian elephants earlier this year, when 20-year-old mum Sithami Hi Way gave birth to a male calf in January. His arrival came just one month after the birth of Indali Hi Way
This joyful event occurred just a month after the birth of Indali Hi-Way and a year following the arrival of their half-sister, Nandita Hi-Way.
The zoo shared, “Two births within a month mark a momentous occasion for our Hi Way family of Asian elephants. Elephants are highly social beings, making this an incredible boon for the entire group.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Detailing the calf’s birth, the zoo recounted, “Sithami gave birth to her calf on a bed of soft, deep sand. Displaying maternal instincts, she promptly nudged and encouraged the calf to stand by gently stirring the sand around him.
Time for some fun! One of the baby elephants tackles another to the ground as they roll in the mud at Chester Zoo
In a matter of minutes, the rest of the herd eagerly congregated and collectively helped the calf rise to his feet. The sight was truly heartwarming.”
Chester Zoo actively participates in a breeding program overseen by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), dedicated to sustaining the elephant population across Europe. This initiative reflects the zoo’s commitment to preserving these majestic creatures.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a statement issued earlier this year, the zoo said: ‘Two births in one month is momentous for our Hi Way family herd of Asian elephants. Elephants are hugely sociable animals, so this is an incredible boost to the group.
ADVERTISEMENT
While smaller than their African counterparts, Asian Elephants are the continent’s largest terrestrial land mammalsMore than 100,000 Asian elephants are thought to have existed at the start of the 20th century, but there numbers have fallen by more than half over the last hundred yearsFace-off: The fall in elephant numbers is partly due to habitat loss, as human activity continues to destroy the ancient rain-forestsTwo by two: As Asia’s population keeps rising, more and more pressure is put on transforming elephant habitat into farmland
ADVERTISEMENT
What a Dumbo! Poaching is also a major threat, and elephants are often killed for their ivory or skinElephants use mud to cool their skin and to protect them from parasites and their skin from the hot sun’s powerful UV raysCharge! The zoo is part of a breeding program coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in EuropeThe new calf was described by the zoo as an invaluable addition to the breeding programme for the endangered species
ADVERTISEMENT
Take that! Speaking after the birth of the calf in January, Dr Mark Pilgrim, chief executive officer, said: ‘We hope that news of her arrival will generate more much needed awareness of these incredible animals and the pressures for survival that they are faced with in the wild’Asian elephants are highly threatened in the wild and Chester Zoo conservationists are working in India to protect the species from human-wildlife conflictMud buddies: Asian elephants are an endangered species, threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease and direct conflict with humansPlay with me! Many elephants also captured in the wild and used in the tourism industry
ADVERTISEMENT
Elephants are highly sociable animals, as demonstrated by these two calves playingThat’s a filthy habit! For over 10 years the zoo has been working in Assam, India to help elephants and humans live alongside one another safely
