Imperial Valley News

San Diego, California - In a year that has already seen the birth of two African elephants at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, the birth of one more of the threatened species is icing on the proverbial cake. And it is sweet, as Lungile (Loon-gee-lee), a 16-year-old elephant, gave birth November 29, to a female calf.

"This birth is a culmination of quite a successful year for African elephant births at the Wild Animal Park, with three births in 2007," said Jeff Andrews, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park animal care manager. "We learn more information from each birth and that helps us to provide the best care possible for these animals. This data is also applicable in our conservation efforts both at our facilities and in the wild. Most, if not all, of the vital information we collect can only be gathered in a setting like the Wild Animal Park, as it would be impossible to get this clinical information from wild elephants."

The female calf was born at 2:53 pm. Lungile, which means "good natured one" in the SiSwati language, and her calf will be slowly introduced to the rest of the herd. Keepers and researchers are monitoring the pair around the clock to ensure the first-time mother properly cares for the newborn.

Mabhulane (mah-boo-LAH-nee), the Wild Animal Park's adult male, has also sired three other calves at the Wild Animal Park. Mabu's first offspring, Khosi (CO-see) was born in September 2006, followed by Impunga (im-POON-gah) in March 2007and Kamile in September 2007. Vusmusi (vuss-MOO-see), a male elephant, was the first calf born to the rescued Swazi herd in February 2004 to the female Ndlulamitsi (n-DOO-lah-mit-see).

The calf and dam are viewable from the Wild Animal Parks African elephant overlook point and through Elephant Cam at www.wildanimalpark.org .

The Wild Animal Park is involved in many elephant conservation projects for both Asian and African elephants. In addition, the San Diego Zoo is creating a new habitat for Asian elephants, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, which will be a state-of-the-art elephant habitat.

"The commitment of the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park to the conservation of both African and Asian elephants is unwavering," added Andrews.

Elephant females give birth every four to six years. The average gestation period for African elephants is 649 days or about 21 months. A newborn calf is about three feet tall and averages between 250 to 300 pounds. The calf is weaned at approximately 1 to 2 years old.

An adult African elephant is much larger than its cousin the Asian elephant. A male African elephant weighs approximately 7 to 8 tons and can stand about 10.5 feet at the shoulders. A female can weigh approximately four tons and stand 8.2 feet at the shoulders.