
Audio By Carbonatix
Elephants are notorious for their long memories, but now they will be renowned for their lengthy pregnancies.Long-suffering Asian elephant Azizah was carrying her baby for 700 days - 84 longer than the average - and finally gave birth at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, last Tuesday.It is believed to be the longest pregnancy ever recorded at the British zoo - nearly two extra months over the normal gestation period of 22 months.And the baby, at just 16 stone (104kg) at birth, is the smallest in Whipshade's history.Keepers were so concerned about the diminutive size of the newborn - yet to be named - they thought he wouldn't be able to reach his mother's milk.But the clever calf, Azizah's third, soon solved the problem by learning to stand on his tip-toes.Elephant keeper Lee Sambrook said: 'Azizah took to him straight away and the rest of the herd are so excited to be around the baby and touch it.Elephants are social animals and having youngsters joining the herd is what elephant life is about.'The calf is now venturing out of the elephant barn with the rest of the heard.And visitors are flocking to the zoo so as to catch a glimpse of him playing with his siblings and suckling his mother, who will not forget the lengthy pregnancy in a hurry.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Sewua Hospital project under audit after overpayment was detected – Health Minister
2 minutes -
Nkoko Nkitinkiti risks missing import reduction goal if implementation flaws persist — Poultry farmers
2 minutes -
Lom Nuku Ahlijah supports Keta Municipal Assembly’s flood recovery efforts
6 minutes -
Roads Minister slams Oti regional officials for failing to report contractors who abandon projects
7 minutes -
Unemployed man jailed for stealing from patient’s relative at KATH, unlawfully possessing police uniform
7 minutes -
DVLA to commission 5 new offices across Northern Ghana in July
18 minutes -
Education Ministry condemns armed attack at Yendi school
18 minutes -
WAJESHA launches website to support specialised journalism across West Africa
23 minutes -
Okyenhene bemoans overcrowded classrooms, outdated curriculum and poor teacher remuneration
25 minutes -
Vice-President launches book co-authored by Julius Debrah and Professor Robert Hinson
39 minutes -
Ga Traditional Council orders closure of shops for national clean-up exercise
45 minutes -
CJID expands support for environmental and climate journalism in West Africa
56 minutes -
CJID steps up AI fight with new tools to combat election misinformation
1 hour -
The roads home haven’t changed, they are worse now
1 hour -
Brandy’s slimmer appearance sparks concern as fans urge compassion over online speculation
1 hour