A 36-year-old Asian elephant named Chamchuri gave birth to a rare set of twins at the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal in central Thailand, an event caretakers have described as miraculous. The birth occurred unexpectedly, as the staff initially believed Chamchuri was only delivering a single calf. After the birth of the first calf, a male, staff were surprised by the sudden appearance of a second calf, a female, causing Chamchuri to panic. This led to a chaotic scene as caretakers, known locally as mahouts, had to intervene quickly to prevent the mother from accidentally harming the second calf. In the process, one caretaker, Charin Somwang, suffered a broken leg but expressed his joy despite the injury.
Elephant twins are exceedingly rare, occurring in only about one percent of elephant births, with male-female pairs being even more uncommon. "Once we pulled the second baby elephant out, away from the mother, the baby stood up. We were all cheering because it’s a miracle," said veterinarian Lardthongtare Meepan.
The twin calves, a male and a female, weighed 60kg and 55kg respectively. Due to her smaller size, the female calf has to step on a stool to nurse. The event was captured in dramatic footage and has since attracted significant attention both locally and on social media, with live streams and visitor viewings under strict hygiene protocols.
In Thailand, elephants are considered sacred and are a national symbol. Despite this, the treatment of elephants has been a contentious issue. Many elephants in Thailand were rescued from street begging and tourism-related exploitation. The Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal asserts that its elephants were saved from such fates. The Asian elephant is listed as endangered due to poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss. In Thailand, there are more elephants used for tourism than in any other country, with over 3,000 in captivity. Conservationists continue to advocate against practices like elephant riding, which are believed to cause significant stress and harm to the animals.
The birth of the twin calves has brought joy and excitement to the community and visitors. The calves will be named seven days after their birth, in line with Thai custom. For now, they remain a popular attraction, bringing hope and joy to those who visit the Ayutthaya park. Mr. Somwang, the injured mahout, summed up the sentiment: "I am always happy when I see an elephant give birth. It doesn’t need to be twins. Elephant babies always bring joy."
Elephant twins are exceedingly rare, occurring in only about one percent of elephant births, with male-female pairs being even more uncommon. "Once we pulled the second baby elephant out, away from the mother, the baby stood up. We were all cheering because it’s a miracle," said veterinarian Lardthongtare Meepan.
The twin calves, a male and a female, weighed 60kg and 55kg respectively. Due to her smaller size, the female calf has to step on a stool to nurse. The event was captured in dramatic footage and has since attracted significant attention both locally and on social media, with live streams and visitor viewings under strict hygiene protocols.
In Thailand, elephants are considered sacred and are a national symbol. Despite this, the treatment of elephants has been a contentious issue. Many elephants in Thailand were rescued from street begging and tourism-related exploitation. The Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal asserts that its elephants were saved from such fates. The Asian elephant is listed as endangered due to poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss. In Thailand, there are more elephants used for tourism than in any other country, with over 3,000 in captivity. Conservationists continue to advocate against practices like elephant riding, which are believed to cause significant stress and harm to the animals.
The birth of the twin calves has brought joy and excitement to the community and visitors. The calves will be named seven days after their birth, in line with Thai custom. For now, they remain a popular attraction, bringing hope and joy to those who visit the Ayutthaya park. Mr. Somwang, the injured mahout, summed up the sentiment: "I am always happy when I see an elephant give birth. It doesn’t need to be twins. Elephant babies always bring joy."
