OKC Zoo Welcomes Endangered Asian Elephant Calf Xerxes

The Oklahoma City Zoo recently celebrated the birth of a male endangered Asian elephant calf named Xerxes, born to first-time parents Achara and Bowie. This birth marks the establishment of three generations of Asian elephants at the zoo, with a total herd of eight elephants including Achara's mother Asha and other family members. Xerxes was born on June 17 and quickly stood and began nursing, with both mother and calf doing well and forming a strong bond. The zoo's elephant curator, Rachel Boyd, praised Achara's nurturing abilities and expressed excitement about the significance of Xerxes's birth for the Asian elephant population. Meanwhile, Dublin Zoo is hopeful that one of their Asian elephant cows is pregnant after a recent mating, highlighting the species' lengthy 21-month gestation period and conservation challenges. In Germany, Opel Zoo welcomed an African elephant calf named Kaja, the first elephant born there in nearly 60 years, reflecting successful ongoing conservation efforts.