The Elephant Breeding and Training Center in Khorsor, Sauraha, inside Chitwan National Park, has successfully recorded the birth of 68 elephant calves over the past 33 years.
According to center chief Manipuram Chaudhary, the first calf was born in March 1993, five years after the center began operations in 1987 with 20 elephants – 6 males and 14 females – brought from India, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Out of the 68 calves born, 7 have died, while 61 elephants are still alive. Of the total born, there are 39 males and 29 females, Chaudhary added. As of now, Chitwan National Park houses 58 elephants, including 22 at the breeding center – 9 mothers and 13 calves. Six of the calves are under training and will soon be deployed to various posts for park protection.
Elephants named after notable figures
A longstanding tradition at the center involves naming newborn calves in honor of distinguished individuals. Previously, calves were named after members of the royal family. Recently, a calf was named “Vedgaj” in memory of conservation officer Bed Bahadur Khadka, who passed away while serving the park.
Dr. Ganesh Prasad Pant, Chief Conservation Officer of Chitwan National Park, shared that Vedgaj is the third offspring of Loktantrakali, a 22-year-old female elephant. Her previous calves include Budhagaj, born 8 years ago, and Swarnakali, born 4 years ago.
Other elephants have been named Rameshgaj, after a mahout killed by a tiger, and Sheshchandragaj, in honor of a senior game scout who died in an anti-poaching operation 11 years ago.
Wild elephants contribute to breeding
Interestingly, many of the calves are believed to be fathered by wild bulls like Nana Pateghar, Dhruve, Govinde, Ronaldo, and Krishnale, who occasionally visit the breeding center to mate with the females.
