In its 81-year history Prague Zoo for the first time welcomes a baby elephant, despite the fact that elephant breeding has had a long tradition in Prague.The calf was born to Donna who had come to Prague from Rotterdam Zoo. The calf with its mother and its older sister Tonya live in the brand new Elephant House near the African World.
Unfortunately, the public cannot see the calf, as the new Elephant House is not open to the public yet. But according to the Zoo’s Director Miroslav Bobek, visitors are likely to see the calf for the first time on March 30, when the Elephant House will officially be opened.
Donna with little Tonya came to Prague last May. The twenty-five year old Donna was already pregnant at that time. She could move to Prague only thanks to the new comfortable Elephant House, which meets all the requirements for the breeding of these pachyderms. When the new Elephant House opens to the public, two other female Asian elephants — Tamara and Janita — will also make their appearance. They arrived from Sri Lanka by special local military transport to extend the herd of Asian elephants of Prague Zoo.
The above news item is reprinted from materials available at Prague Zoo — Zoo Praha. Original text may be edited for content and length.
(Source: Prague Zoo news, 11.02.2013)
