The first “second generation” African elephant calf was recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, the company announced in a blog post on Saturday, December 16.
The calf, named Corra, weighed “just 218 pounds,” said Scott Terrell, DVM, DACVP, director of Animal and Science Operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.
Corra is the first elephant calf to be born at Walt Disney World in seven years, he said.
A TikTok shared by Disney Parks indicated that the calf was born on December 13, 2023.
Corra’s mother, Nadirah, was also born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park back in 2005, meaning Corra’s arrival was “very special,” Terrell said, writing on the Disney Parks blog.
Elephants have strong family ties, he noted.
Corra, right, was recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, as the adorable animal is the first “second generation” elephant calf to be born at the park. Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World
Nadirah was a first-time mother, so “her sister Luna was there to guide and comfort her throughout the entire process,” she said.
“The calf will soon meet her grandmother, Donna, and also her other aunt, Stella,” Terrell said.
Female African elephants often help each other raise their young, Terrell noted, until the elephant calf is about eight years old.
The calf named Corra weighs “just 218 pounds,” said Scott Terrell, DVM, DACVP, director of Animal and Science Operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World
“These family bonds will only strengthen as the calf grows,” he said.
Nadirah was pregnant with Corra for 22 months, the typical gestation period for African elephants.
She conceived Corra through natural breeding in early 2022, Terrell said, and “received special care from our animal care team” during her pregnancy.
Corra’s mother, Nadirah (left), was also born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, back in 2005. Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World
“It takes a team of dedicated cast members to care for a pregnant elephant and, ultimately, her newborn calf,” he added.
With Corra’s arrival, she and her mother “will undergo ongoing postnatal testing and will spend several days bonding with her before they are ready to join the rest of the pack,” Terrell said.
The pair will be observed to ensure the calf can nurse successfully and is gaining weight.
Nadirah conceived Corra through natural breeding in early 2022, Terrell said, and “received special attention from our animal care team.” Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World
African elephants are the largest walking animals, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website.
They are made up of two different species: the savanna elephant and the forest elephant.
The savanna elephant is listed as “endangered,” while the forest elephant is listed as “critically endangered.”
Only about 415,000 African elephants remain in the wild, the WWF said.
Elephants in the wild are at risk of both poaching and habitat destruction.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn