Baby Elephant Born at San Diego Zoo

CREDIT: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo Safari Park View full size image

A newborn Africa elephant lifted his trunk in search of his mother at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The male calf was born at 5:45 a.m. on Monday to Umngani (oom-gah-nee).

In this rare moment, the calf stood alone after he had wandered off a few steps, but shortly thereafter his mother, 5-year-old sister Khosi (koh-see), and 2-year-old brother Ingadze (in-Gahd-zee) rushed over to tend to the unnamed calf. Throughout the day the family watched over their newest member, letting him only stray a few feet.

The Safari Park is now home to 18 elephants: 8 adults and 10 youngsters. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland, where they faced being culled. The average gestation period for African elephants is 649 days or 22 months. A newborn calf averages 200 to 300 pounds. Calves can be weaned at 2 to 3 years old.

• New Tiger Cub Stamps Aim to Help Save Endangered Species
• Exotic Kittens at Home in High Altitudes
• Baby Monkey is Boost for Endangered Species