Newborn Elephant Bull Welcomed at Cologne Zoo

Cologne, Germany - A new addition has arrived at the Cologne Zoo with the birth of a baby elephant bull. The little one, born late Friday night, is currently exploring his enclosure with a sense of curiosity, using his nascent trunk to investigate his surroundings.

The zoo announced that the elephant was born at 3:42 AM in the free-range area of the elephant house, much to the delight of the staff and visitors alike. The Asian elephant species, to which this newborn belongs, is currently classified as endangered, making this birth particularly significant.

The mother of the newborn, Marlar, was also born at the Cologne Zoo in 2006. Marlar previously made headlines as the first elephant born at the zoo. For now, the young elephant stays close to his mother, who provides him with warmth and protection.

The father of the calf is Tarak, a breeding bull weighing 4.3 tons, who was born in 2005 at the Hannover Zoo and has been residing in Cologne since 2022. The birth has been reported as smooth, with both mother and calf in good health.

Zoo Director Theo B. Pagel expressed satisfaction regarding the birth process, noting that in the wild, female elephants assist one another during delivery, forming a protective circle around the mother. This natural behavior is beneficial during the birthing process.

Asian elephants have a lengthy gestation period of about 22 months. In this instance, the mother waited 663 days before giving birth to her calf. During the first few years, elephant calves consume around ten liters of milk daily, and they begin to eat solid food at around two years of age. They typically reach adulthood between the ages of 12 and 13.

The Cologne Zoo is home to a total of 11 Asian elephants. The last calf born in the zoo was Sarinya in June 2023. The herd operates in a family unit without direct contact with caregivers, under the leadership of the matriarch Kreeblamduan, who was born in 1984 and transferred from Bangkok, Thailand, to Cologne in 2006.

Looking ahead, the zoo anticipates another elephant birth by the end of the year, aiming to create a vibrant 'elephant kindergarten' once again, as noted by the zoo's management. The herd is currently protective of their newest member, who has yet to receive a name.