Zookeepers are celebrating the birth of a "rare' set of twin elephants, described as a "miracle" and really good news for the species.
On June 14, 2024, ABC News shared a story on TikTok about two new elephants that entered the world and are being called "miracles." Take a look!
In a minute-long video posted to the news station's TikTok account (@abcnews), we learn more about these "miracle" twins and why they're considered "rare."
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In the clip, we don't get a whole lot of context to what we're seeing other than there's a mama elephant and she's got two calves with her who look to be the same age. Turns out they're twins, and they're a miracle because they're both healthy, and rare because twins don't happen often in the elephant world .
"A rare set of elephant twins has been born in Thailand," the caption of the video explains. "Twins are rarely encountered in elephant populations, making up only 1% of births, according to Save the Elephants. Male-female elephant twins are even rarer."
On June 11, 2024, the news station shared more details about the birth in an article, adding that the Asian Elephant in Thailand had a male and female calf.
"A 36-year-old elephant, Jamjuree, on [June 7th in the] evening gave birth to a male calf at Thailand's' Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal in the north of Thailand's capital, Bangkok," the article explains. But the twin birth was a total surprise.
"About 18 minutes later, keepers were caught by surprise when a female calf emerged," the news station wrote.
The babies weighed 176 pounds and 132 pounds, and at first, the mom was confused about the second baby, so the elephants' caregivers had to step in briefly.
The non-profit conservation group Elephantstay, where the twins were born, described them as "beautiful miracle twins" and has been sharing photos, videos, and updates on the babies since their birth.
The female calf is smaller than her brother, so she needs some extra help feeding. The caregivers have been expressing milk from the mom to feed the little girl and have constructed other ways to aid the little girl in feeding while she continues to grow.
"It takes a village and the dedication of everyone here was definitely rewarded with the twins being born," Elephantstay on Instagram. "An exciting time for Thailand and elephants!"
Asian Elephants Are Considered 'Endangered'
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN's ) Red List of Threatened Species, Asian Elephants have been listed as Endangered since 1986 when population size surveys found there to be "at least 50%" reduction over the past three generations, or approximately 75 years.
"As of 2018, population size estimates collated across all range countries, suggest a global Asian Elephant abundance of 48,323–51,680 individuals in the wild," the conservation agency shared.
"The overall population trend of the Asian Elephant has been downwards," which they state is tied to "the reduction in habitat, probably for centuries."
With the population dropping and this beautiful animal still on the Endangered Species list, having twins born is a huge reason to celebrate.
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