Baby elephant feeding from mother

The Miracle of a Newborn Elephant in the Kruger National Park

It’s always a wonderful celebration when an elephant is born at Tintswalo Safari Lodge.

Not just because elephants are often the victims of poaching, and we need to treasure each animal; it’s just wonderful to watch a baby elephant begin its life in the bush, and observe how the herd receives the new addition to the family.

This month, while on a safari game drive, we were privileged to stumble upon a newborn elephant in the Manyeleti, and we watched in amazement at the way the baby was treated by the rest of the herd. We witnessed the entire mood of the herd change, as the rest of the elephants took the young calf on as their own.

Of course, the calf was quite obviously the apple of his mother’s eye. She simply could not stop touching him with her trunk as he craned his head upward and suckled her gently.

The Coming of Age of a Baby Elephant

Baby elephants will stay very close to their mothers for the first couple of months of their lives.

The calves drink their mother’s milk for about two years, sometimes longer, and they can drink up to three gallons of milk each day! At about four months old, they also begin eating plants, but they continue to need as much milk from their mother. Some elephants keep drinking milk for up to ten years!

A very young baby always travels under the mother’s belly, between her legs, to ensure its safety, and in order for the mother to assist overcoming obstacles, and to keep him cool. During normal activities, baby elephants are seldom more than one or two meters from an adult (the mother is always nearby) and they are constantly being touched as reassurance.

From a relatively early age, the other female elephants in the herd practise mothering or ‘nannying’, during which time they guide calves, assisting them over obstacles, teaching them what to eat (some calves even remove food from other elephants’ mouths to learn what to eat) and protecting them just like the mother does.

Trunks of fun

At first, baby elephants don’t really know what to do with their trunks. It’s amusing to watch as the calves swing them to and fro and sometimes even step on them. They will stick their trunk in their mouth just as a human baby might suck its thumb. With more than 50,000 individual muscle units in the trunk, it’s a complex skill to learn.

By about 6 to 8 months, calves begin learning to use their trunks to eat and drink. By the time they are a year old, they can control their trunks pretty well and, like adult elephants, use their trunks for grasping, eating, drinking, bathing.

Elephants usually figure out the trunk-drinking method by the time they’re one year old. As in all young mammals, elephants are born with a strong sucking reflex, which prompts them to drink from their mothers’ breast. And when a youngster is not feeding, it may suck its trunk for comfort.

They practise using their trunks by exploring their environment – touching fellow herd members, their surroundings and themselves. They must then master the use of their trunks for feeding.

Sometimes an elephant that appears to be sucking its trunk is actually using it to smell, placing the tip inside its mouth after touching or sniffing dung or urine to assess pheromones produced by other elephants.

Elephants learn to do all these important things in their first years in the herd, as they observe their mother, their nannies, and their fellow young siblings. Female elephants stay with the herd for life, while males leave to begin a solitary life at about 12 to 14 years of age.

The early stage of an elephant’s life is incredibly important, and the mothering and mentorship ensures that they grow up to become the best possible elephant they can be, to both survive and thrive in the wilderness.

Milk Makes The Elephant Go Round

When baby elephants are born, they need to get up onto all four feet as quickly as possible so to have that first drink of Mom’s milk, and avoid tempting predators with the smell of new placenta.

The longer they take to stand upright and keep those shaky little waif limbs firm on their new planet, the scarier it gets for mother and child. Baby needs its milk and will stay beside Mom for years, drinking milk from her teat for somewhere between four to five years old. Sometimes even longer, sometimes a little less.

The mother elephant will do everything she can to help her calf suckle from her, moving her front leg forward to make her teat easily accessible to the baby who wraps its little mouth around the teat and draws out the essential liquid.

This is mimicked with orphan calves as they suckle from the milk bottles given to them around the clock, each day, by their dedicated carers. Just as the calf would touch its mother’s underside or body with its enquiring trunk, communicating through touch, and no doubt receiving comfort from the closeness and intimacy, so too will a calf, especially younger ones, touch their carer’s mouth or face while drinking from the bottle.

It’s very difficult to escape the persistent snaking trunk of a suckling calf. Sometimes a carer will blow into the calf’s trunk and you can feel the heat from the long probiscis emanating off it. These moments are incredibly tender and often Baby will close its eyes while drinking, completely in the moment of love, nourishment and support between it and its mother, whether human or elephant.

Herman and his zebra friend.

One bottle of milk costs $18 – you can donate a bottle to Khanyisa through our GlobalGiving Campaign!

In addition to receiving Mom’s milk, the new calf receives colostrum – that special ingredient produced in the breast fluid of an elephant mother before she releases breast milk. It contains high levels of antibodies, immune cells and growth hormones and is extremely nutritious and essential in allowing a newborn to get off to a good start.

It’s likely that Khanyisa received her dose of colostrum before being caught in the snare and separated from her mother at four months old. Not all elephant orphans, if abandoned early in their lives, are that lucky.

To keep the orphans healing well, growing strong and roaming energetically, we need to provide them with the energy to do so.

When they first arrive at HERD, milk is an essential form of sustenance, giving the calf what their mother is not around to provide. But the act of feeding the baby is also an intense bonding experience for the very sensitive and often traumatised young animals.

What is it like to feed a baby elephant a milk bottle, besides ticklish? For one, incredibly rewarding, but also challenging, serious, humorous and endearing and expensive. Just like breastfeeding or giving a human baby formula, the process isn’t just a nice-to-do, it’s vital for the survival of your newborn.

Khensani getting ready to feed Khanyisa her milk bottle, with Tokwe keeping a close eye.

If Baby is feeling a little under the weather or temperamental, and doesn’t take the bottle, it isn’t as simple a situation as a human adult missing lunch… Babies of all species need extra energy and nutrition to develop those longer legs and bigger brains that will see them through life in their respective wildernesses.

A baby elephant’s milk formulation is exceptionally delicate and needs frequent adjustment, with extra nutritional supplements as they grow, as their mother’s milk would change naturally through the weaning stages and evolving needs. This is a difficult case of trial and error as an error can lead to serious consequences, and since each elephant is different, especially orphans and trauma victims, there is no “one size fits all” model.

What works for one elephant at a certain age doesn’t necessarily work for another.

The gut of a baby elephant is also extremely sensitive. When an orphan has diarrhea, it has a ripple effect. It starts by impacting their gut lining, which in turn changes their energy levels and affects their emotional wellbeing. They can move from hero to zero in a short period. Daily records of their feeding and bathroom habits are essential to monitor whether they are excreting or urinating more than what they take in. Like human babies, they are very fragile and can quickly dehydrate.

We consult with our experts and friends in rehabilitation often regarding the orphans’ milk formula and their ever-changing needs. Sometimes the damage to the calf, in the case of Fenya, cannot be rectified by milk, no matter how many extra nutrients are added to the mixture.

Each day, several times a day, our carers take to the orphanage kitchen to mix up Khanyisa’s milk bottles, adding the oil and protein she needs to the blend. As the seasons change, and the bush becomes drier now as we enter winter in the reserve, we have increased her milk amounts to supplement the decrease in vegetation she is able to graze on.

Carer Herman, one of Khanyisa’s favourite carers

The females of the Jabulani herd are not lactating – they are on contraception, since it is not part of our objectives to reed with the rescued herd until they are able to be released into a large and safe enough reserve without a tourism or human presence. They are so used to people and pose a risk to human-elephant conflict and greater chances of poaching due to familiarity. Finding and affording such land in South Africa, where overpopulation, poaching and habitat loss and destruction is prevalent, is incredibly difficult.

Even though the Jabulani females are not producing milk, many of them welcome and encourage Khanyisa to suckle from them – sucking on their teats is such a natural impulse for the calf and for her adoptive mothers and allomothers. Lundi, Bubi and Tokwe were all greatly efficient at this, but sweet Limpopo struggled and still has some things to learn about motherhood.

Khanyisa stopped suckling from the females for several months, but has started to do so again recently now that the bush has started to dry and change again… As a result we increased her milk intake – slowly, so not to bring on diarrhea.

Khanyisa suckling Bubi

As she approaches two years of age (in September 2021), Khanyisa no longer receives what we politely christened as “Shit Shakes”, dung mixed with milk, oil and water, as she is developing her own digestive bacteria. But for the first year of her life, she received this essential addition frequently while she started to eat more solids.

The purpose of dung in the diet of young elephants (known as “coprophagia”) is to provide essential bacteria that assists the calf in digesting the vegetation that they eat – bacteria that they are not able to produce when they are so young. The bacteria helps to break down plant matter in their intestines and helps to boost not only digestion but also the immune system.

In this case, the Jabulani herd was able to help! The feces of the older members of the herd were delivered to a growing Khanyisa – fresh, raw and ready, either in a shake or as a ball to nibble on.

Life After Milk

At HERD, we wean orphan calves after four to five years and recently did so with an orphan elephant, Timisa who had been receiving milk in a bucket with pellets until recently. This was supplemented by bana grass, branches, lucerne, marulas when in season and vegetables, which the older elephants in the rescued herd receive too.

Timisa the Courageous

When Timisa arrived in 2016 after being rescued, she was fortunately already feeding herself on solids, was a keen eater and drank sufficient water. After her rehabilitation, we introduced her to the Jabulani herd and she instantly tried feeding from both Tokwe and Lundi a few times (although both of the female’s babies were older, we thought they may well still have a bit of milk left in them). We closely monitored Timisa, as elephant calves are prone to glycaemia, but she continued to thrive with her new herd.

Kind Kumbura

Getting Kumbura to eat after her rescue and during her rehabilitation was not easy. She didn’t like the milk formula, and none of the females in the Jabulani herd were willing to feed her. We truly were not sure whether she would survive. Every day was of the utmost importance in getting her to drink, getting her to feel calm and safe, getting her strong and healthy again.

Winning over her trust was vital to her recovery. Her human carers remained patient, hopeful, and continued to give her all the care and love that she needed. We fed her any nutritious foods that she would eat – which included her favourites, apples and vegetables.

Kumbura, the smallest of the group, with Mombo, Tokwe and Limpopo, in 2012

We believe a key reason that Kumbura pulled through was due to the comfort she received from the elephants in the herd – especially Lundi and Tokwe, who adopted her as their own, and her gentle guardian, Sebakwe.

Milk remains a constant and vital part of life for Khanyisa now.

Heading out into the bush to give her milk bottles several times a day is a continual part of parenthood for our carers. Khanyisa certainly has her favourites when it comes to receiving milk bottles and won’t just take from anyone – she needs to know, trust and love her provider. Milk really is something so essential in our daily lives and the journey of orphan calves. It is a job, a connection, and life.

Herman, Khanyisa and Lammie during a morning bottle feed in 2020

The funds raised through our valued fosters and donors go towards the provision of the orphans’ essential milk bottles.

We are so grateful for the support from people around the world who enable us to provide orphans like Khanyisa with the nutrition and care they need to keep growing into strong, healthy elephants, with an adoptive herd of their own.

One bottle of milk costs $18 – you can donate a bottle to Khanyisa through our GlobalGiving Campaign!

Why an elephant dreams: interpretation of dreams about an elephant

Why an elephant dreams according to Miller's dream book

Miller connects dreams about elephants with financial and business spheres. Respect in the team and a stable financial situation promises a dream in which you rode an elephant. If the animal is alone in a dream, then you will have a small but very significant business; the more of them, the more wealth awaits you. An elephant grazing peacefully in a meadow or anywhere else indicates that your kindness and decency will be rewarded - your social status will increase.

Interpretation of dreams about an elephant: Vanga's dream book

An elephant testifies to the mind of a sleeping person, a developed imagination and the ability to get out of different life situations.

Pay attention to the following details:

what happened to the elephant. He stood in your room - to a happy change; rolled you - you are too little interested in the opinions of other people and even suppress their will with your actions; fled - a high-ranking patron will appear in life; swam in the river - unexpected things will take you by surprise, but with the help of friends you will be able to finish everything on time and avoid problems; a dead elephant symbolizes disappointment and annoyance;
how many elephants there were. A whole herd - be careful in any business, do not lose vigilance and do not take risks, problems can arise out of the blue; an elephant with an elephant calf - a hint that loved ones lack your support and attention;
what color was the elephant. Snow-white symbolizes a prestigious job, black indicates that there is no need to be afraid of new tasks and goals, everything will turn out well and easily.

Islamic dream book: elephant

An elephant is a large and strong animal, in a dream it personifies an equally large (in terms of its significance, and not physical parameters, of course) person - a ruler, leader or other influential person. Buy or ride an elephant - achieve a high social position; talking with this animal - to receive a reward from an important person; run away - on the contrary, suffer because of his actions. A good sign if an elephant beats you with its trunk in a dream is to wealth.

Did you dream that you grew an elephant's head? The business you want to start is very difficult, you can hardly cope with it. But if you do not give up halfway, then in the end you will remain in the black.

What is the dream of an elephant according to Freud's dream book

Women should pay attention to dreams about elephants, because this animal symbolizes the masculine principle and promises an acquaintance with an attractive man. If the elephant was kind to you, allowed you to ride, then the new romance will give you an unforgettable sexual experience. For women already in a relationship, the dream can symbolize a second wave of love and romance. Elephant behaved aggressively? Harassment from some important person is possible.

Loff's dream book: interpretation of dreams about an elephant

In many cultures, an elephant is considered a strong, wise animal with an excellent memory. Most likely, you forgot about something, which is why such a sign appeared in a dream. Remember what you planned to do, what promises you made.

Elephant according to the dream book of Nostradamus

The soothsayer gives a general explanation of dreams about elephants, and then he recommends that you independently analyze the details and understand whether in your case the animal symbolizes strength and wisdom or revenge and cruelty. The white elephant warns you against senseless spending - there will be little benefit from the purchase you are about to make. If you have recently made any purchase, its life may be short. The most unusual image that Nostradamus parses is an elephant with stars on its back: it means that power in the United States will be in the hands of the Republican Party.

Tsvetkov's dream interpretation: what the elephant is dreaming of

The elephant is already a tall animal, and with the help of its trunk it is able to lift even heavy objects even higher. Therefore, the interpreter associates the appearance of an elephant in a dream with a certain elevation. This can be both career and spiritual growth, as well as improving the opinions of others about you.

Esoteric dream book: elephant

Elephant symbolizes stability. Therefore, if your interaction with this animal was positive (you fed it, took pictures, took it somewhere, rode it), then complete harmony awaits you in work and family life, even if there are some problems now, then they resolved quickly and calmly. But dreams with a negative context (you beat or killed an elephant) speak of the destruction of a stable state of affairs, you will have to make a lot of effort to stay afloat.

Dream Interpretation Hasse: interpretation of dreams about an elephant

Just watching an elephant - to increase the number of your like-minded people. Riding an elephant - in all areas of life you will find pleasant changes, good luck and happiness. The collapse of all plans predicts a dream in which you will see a dead elephant or kill it yourself.

A 90-kilogram baby elephant was born in the Moscow Zoo | Nature | Society

06/19/2017 16:16

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Moscow Zoo

Moscow, June 19 - AiF-Moscow.

An elephant calf was born at the Moscow Zoo, weighing about 90 kilograms at birth, according to the website of the Moscow City Hall.

The cub is already strong, but most of the time he spends with his mother, 36-year-old elephant Pipita. Together with the father of the newborn, 37-year-old Pamir, she arrived at the Moscow Zoo at 1985 year.

The name of the baby elephant is not known yet. It is reported that his mother feeds him with milk every hour and a half. He will be transferred to other food by two or three years.

According to the staff, the cub's favorite pastime is to lift sticks with its trunk or scatter grass.

Visitors to the zoo will be able to see the baby elephant in the near future. He has an older sister, Kyprida, who was born in 2009. In total, four Asian elephants live in the Moscow Zoo.