The nursery

It seems like January is baby month since I cannot stop writing about them! Due to the deep sadness my last post caused I decided to cheer everyone up a little by talking about the 2 babies at the center:

In Laos, domesticated elephants are rarely bred nowadays which explains why we've had just 6 births last year among a captive population of 450. I am not completely sure why but it might be because both females and males are worked exhaustibly in the logging industry with no time left to mate. In addition, these privately owned elephants are most of the time the mahout’s only income making it difficult if not impossible for the mahout to manage without logging for 4 years – the 2 years of gestation plus the first couple of years the baby has to breast feed.

To address this issue and to encourage breeding, the ECC has designed the “Baby Bonus Program”. Participates in the program agree to a 2 to 4 year contract that guarantees the pregnant female will remain at the nursery during gestation and the first couple years of the baby's life so we can ensure their health and safety. In exchange, the mahout is provided food, accommodation and a monthly salary. The mahout's family also receives a tak-tak (hand tractor) so they are able to work in the rice fields.

We currently have 2 babies at the center. We call them baby elephant 1 and baby elephant 2 since traditionally they are not named until they are 3 years old. Baby 1 was actually born at the center! They told the mother actually gave birth a few days after she got here and took less than an hour! Baby 1 is about 13 months old now. His father is a huge wild bull and his mother is just 20 years old. A few weeks ago I tried to perform a physical exam on him but mommy did not really let me approach anywhere near him, not even with the Mahout present! Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about; this baby elephant is very big and healthy, and started eating solid food already!

Baby 2 got here when he was around 1 month old and even though he is slightly older than Baby 1, is much smaller! His father is an average size domesticated bull and his mother is a 37-year-old experienced female. This is her third baby and she has nothing to worry about. He is very adventurous and leaves her side to go explore in the forest (but just for a few seconds before running back!) He loves the water and goes for long “swims” where only his little trunk can be seen. Mae Vaeng, the mother, let us approach with no problem for his vet check but he, on the other hand, was very naughty and tried to kick and head butt us! Lun Passet (mahout and local shaman) is very proud of his baby elephant and told me that his teeth started to come in which he claims means that the baby will have tusks (not all males do).

Lun Passet, I estimate he is around 203 years old! 

So every time I feel a little down I will just take the boat thru the lake to the nursery and go observe some baby behavior; they give me the strength I need to keep going... and after all, there is absolutely nothing more enjoyable!

Karla Nova, DVM
PS: Thanks to Kathy Prost for the amazing pictures!