SeeCalifornia.com

She isn’t so tiny but she’s sweet as can be! The adorable little newborn African elephant calf  weighing 205 pounds was born this week at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park in Escondido. Proud mother, Swazi, and her infant are on their feet and bonding.  Signs of labor began at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 and the baby was born at 3:39 a.m. The average gestation period for African elephants is 22 months with newborn calves averaging 200 to 268 pounds. Calves can be weaned at 2 to 3 years. The new elephant is the second calf born to an African elephant called Swazi, bringing the Safari Park total to 13 elephants. All 9 elephant youngsters at the park, including older brother Mac,  were curious about the new addition, reaching their trunks out to touch and smell the calf, according to zoo employees.

The Safari Park rescued the adult elephants in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland, where lack of space and long periods of drought put them on the chopping block. They were set to be culled–removed from the herd and killed.

In Africa, San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and other zoo organizations have programs in countries around the globe to study and protect endangered animals and wildlife.  sdzsafaripark.org