Although elephants are known for having long memories, they will soon also be known for having extended pregnancies. Azizah, a patient Asian elephant, gave birth to her calf at the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire after bearing it for 700 days – 84 days longer than usual.

With almost two extra months beyond the typical gestation span of 22 months, it is thought to be the longest pregnancy ever documented at the British Zoo. Additionally, the newborn was the smallest in Whipshade history with just 16 stone (104 kg).

The newborn, who has not yet been named, was so small that his keepers were worried he wouldn’t be able to get his mother’s milk. However, the third and most intelligent calf of Azizah quickly found a solution by discovering how to stand on his toes.

Azizah took to him straight away, said elephant keeper Lee Sambrook, and the rest of the herd was so eager to be around the youngster and touch it.

Elephant life is all about the young entering the herd because they are sociable animals. With the rest of the herd, the calf is now leaving the elephant barn. Visitors are pouring into the zoo to see him interacting with his siblings and nursing his mother, who won’t soon forget the protracted pregnancy.

Source: dailylifeworld.com