The Elephant Breeding and Training Center at Khorsor, Chitwan National Park, is expecting eight new baby elephants to be born this year. Two calves have already been born, with six more expected in the coming months.
According to the center’s chief, Manpuran Chaudhary, two calves were born earlier this year—Karnalikali gave birth to a male calf on May 26, and Himalikali gave birth to a female calf on May 30. Chaudhary further mentioned that Devikali, Tirthmankali, and Rimjhimkali are expected to give birth by mid-October. Additionally, Tamorkali, Loktantrakali, and Chitwankali are also expected to give birth later this year.
Chaudhary noted, “The births might fluctuate by a month or two, but we are expecting eight calves this year.” In 2023, two calves were born, and in 2022, six calves were born at the center.
Elephants can become pregnant again two months after giving birth, with a gestation period of 22 to 24 months. Most of the calves at the center are offspring of wild elephants, including Ronaldo, Govinde, Dhruve, and Makuna. Chaudhary stated that Govinde and Makuna still visit the Khorsor area regularly.
The baby elephants receive training when they turn three years old. Currently, the breeding center has 11 adult female elephants and 10 calves. Established in 1988, the center began seeing its first births in 1997. To date, 67 calves have been born at the facility. Once trained, the baby elephants are deployed to various posts within the national park to assist in security operations.
