Bringing new life into the world is a beautiful moment, even for animals. Beautiful in a metaphorical sense that is…It can be an unpleasant event at time, but you know what I mean!
The magic of an animals birth is multiplied by a thousand percent when it’s a species which is listed officially as “vulnerable”.
While this is certainly a better status to hold than “endangered” and especially better than “extinct”, it still means that every youngling that is born of the species is another step away from that same brink of disappearance.
The African elephant is one such creature, and every birth is a miracle.
In this video, a herd of elephants prepare for one of their own to give birth.
Elephants form tight bonds within their herds. They are known for being highly empathetic and their interactions as a group are very similar to that of human group dynamics.
A pregnant elephant can be at its most vulnerable while it’s in labor. They are in the middle of an important and all consuming moment and not worrying about much else. Yet, the herd still is. This herd makes sure that nothing will happen to one of their own.
They surround her and her soon to be baby and protect them with their own bodies.
Did you know baby elephants are called calves, female elephants are called cows, and male elephants are known as bulls?
I sure did not and the mixing of animal names can leave one very confused without knowing!
An elephant birth is quite a momentous occasion.
An African elephant’s pregnancy lasts up to 22 months. That’s almost two years of being pregnant!
I don’t know about you, but if I was pregnant for nearly two years, I would have been ready for that baby to come out months prior to due date!
It must take some time to grow such a big baby. Here we can see the baby beginning to crown as the amniotic sack is exposed.
Finally, baby arrives!
One major benefit of being human, not dropping several feet onto the ground right when we are born!
The drop does not effect those strong baby elephants though. Baby is delivered successfully, but we have yet to see it move. It remains tightly wrapped in its amniotic sack, as the community of cows surround the newcomer to welcome it.
Slowly but surely, their little calf raises its head.
With admirable determination, the calf raises its head to see the world for the first time. Welcome little guy, look at all these friends you’ve got around you.
The little calf rises and is ready to greet the world.
It’s probably thinking, “I am glad to be out of that sac! There is so much more room out here!”
All the cows dote on the new arrival.
Elephants are known for forming strong bonds and even mourn each other’s deaths the same way that humans do, elephants will even “cry”. These bonds begin at birth, and last their entire lives. For an animal that seems to be so impenetrable to damage, they gain even more safety in their community.
They live long lives, about 60 to 70 years, surviving by the strength of their relationships with each other. When a new baby is born, it is born to the whole herd.
This is why conservation is so important.
As new elephant babies are brought into the world, we need to make efforts to keep conservation efforts strong. One commenter on the video says it really well:
Watch the full video below to enjoy this miraculous moment of nature.
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