As previously reported, Asian Elephant "Uthai" was pregnant. And after a long gestation period, she gave birth to a male calf early this morning!

The birth time was 5:44 AM on Saturday, October 31, 2020. The offspring is male. Its height is 100 cm and its weight is 120.5 kg.

The mother, Uthai, was born in Thailand on February 7, 1998. On October 11, 2002, on the occasion of the birth of Princess Aiko, she was donated from Surin Province, Thailand to the Japanese people as a token of friendship and arrived at Ueno Zoo along with the male, Atti. The father, Atti, was born in Thailand on December 14, 1996. Sadly, he passed away on August 24, 2020 (announcement).

In January 2019, Uthai, then 20 years old, and Ati, then 22 years old, were placed together for breeding purposes, and mating was confirmed once each on January 13th and 14th. Subsequently, Uthai's blood hormone (progesterone) levels, which had been measured regularly, began to rise around the end of February. The levels, which should have decreased if pregnancy had not occurred, remained high even into April. Furthermore, an ultrasound examination conducted on September 23, 2019, confirmed the fetal skeleton and heartbeat, leading to the conclusion that she was pregnant (Announcement).

We continued to monitor her condition, and on October 27, 2020, we confirmed the secretion of breast milk for the first time. Her progesterone levels, which we had been continuously monitoring, also decreased, and she began showing signs of labor, such as contractions, the night before October 31. She gave birth early this morning, October 31.

We will announce the public viewing date for the calf as soon as it is decided. With the birth of the male calf, Asian Elephant Ueno Zoo has a total of four Asian elephants: one male and three females.

Shortly after birth, the baby was able to stand. Until the baby's condition stabilized, staff members stayed by its side to assist with walking, and while the staff members watched over the baby to prevent the mother from becoming agitated and attacking the child, they also encouraged the baby to breastfeed from its mother.

Nursing from the mother is essential for the healthy development of a baby elephant. The calf had difficulty latching on, but we continued practicing so that it could drink directly. Also, about an hour after birth, we gave the calf colostrum expressed from the mother and glucose solution.

Staff members have been working tirelessly to get the baby to breastfeed directly, and yesterday, November 2nd, at 7:51 PM, we were finally able to confirm the baby latching on and drinking breast milk for the first time. The video was filmed a little later that same day.

[Video] Filmed on the night of November 2, 2020
The mother-child relationship is very good, and the baby has become adept at breastfeeding from both of Utai's breasts.

The baby's weight, which was 120.5 kg at birth, dropped to 102.5 kg at one point, but has increased to 112 kg as measured today, November 4th (Wednesday), indicating that it is growing steadily.


Taken on November 3, 2020
[Video] Filmed on November 3, 2020 (with sound)

The baby cub's steps have become much more steady. It's growing well, running around near its mother and lying down on the straw.

Ueno Zoo is carefully preparing for the public viewing, gradually accustoming the mother and cub to people while observing their behavior. The public viewing date will be announced as soon as it is decided. Both the photos and videos were taken on November 10, 2020.


[Video] Filmed on November 10, 2020 (with sound)

The pup is growing well and has begun to show interest in various things. It will be breastfed for a while, but it has also started to pick up and hold straw with its nose. The mother-pup bond is good, and they remain calm while we observe them quietly so as not to startle them. We are gradually working on getting them used to people in preparation for public viewing.


Taken on November 15, 2020
[Video] Filmed on November 15, 2020 (with sound)
(October 31, 2020)
(November 3, 2020: Added information about first breastfeeding)
(November 4, 2020: Added information about weight gain)
(November 13, 2020: Added an update on my current situation)
(November 19, 2020: Added an update on my current situation)
(December 15, 2020: Added information regarding the name decision)