BAY LAKE, Fla. – Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is celebrating the birth of an African elephant calf, marking the first such arrival in seven years.
Animal care teams said Saturday that the baby girl named Corra, weighing in at just 218 pounds, is backstage bonding with her mother, Nadirah.
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African elephant births at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, a meticulous program ensuring the responsible breeding of endangered animals in managed care.
Disney said this birth is particularly special as it is Nadirah’s first calf, and her sister Luna provided guidance and comfort throughout the process. Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2005, Nadirah is now the first second-generation calf in the park.
“I’m over the moon to share that for the first time since 2016, an African elephant calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It’s been very special for me and the team to watch first-time mother Nadirah embrace her new motherly instincts and nurture the sweet bond with her baby girl,” said Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment.
The park said as the calf grows, she will soon have the chance to meet her grandma, Donna, and her other aunt, Stella. It is customary for adult females in the herd to assist in raising young elephants until they achieve independence, typically around 8 years old.
See video of the calf at the top of this story.
Nadirah’s pregnancy, achieved through natural breeding in early 2022, received special care from Disney’s animal care team throughout her nearly 22-month gestation.
During the bonding period, the elephant team closely observes key moments like successful nursing and weight gain.
Disney plans to share more updates and behind-the-scenes moments about this new calf on the Disney Parks Blog.
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