Blackpool Zoo reports the deaths of two Asian elephant calves

Conservationists at Blackpool Zoo are mourning the loss of two “eagerly anticipated” baby elephants. The zoo announced that a three-day-old Asian elephant calf passed away on November 7, having developed an infection stemming from feeding difficulties in its initial hours of life. Adam Kenyon, head of the zoo’s elephant section, stated, “We are immensely grateful to the team, knowing that we did everything possible to try to save the calf, and wish to thank them for their huge efforts.” A spokesperson for the zoo disclosed that another calf had died in its mother’s womb in September, failing to develop. Elephant calves require their first feed within six to 12 hours of birth. However, zoo staff had to wait 24 hours until the herd permitted them to feed Esha’s calf with expressed milk and plasma from Esha’s mother, Noorjahan. The zoo spokesperson explained that Esha found rearing her calf very challenging and would not allow it to suckle, despite guidance from Noorjahan. While the calf initially responded well to the additional support provided, it subsequently experienced seizures on November 6 and died the following morning. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the calf had developed an infection after missing vital nutrients and vitamins from the colostrum in its first hours of life. Noorjahan’s own calf was stillborn in late September, the spokesperson added. “All signs exhibited prior to this event had been encouraging but, as with any pregnancy, we knew there were many inherent risks that could lead to complications during gestation and delivery.”