The Birth of an Endangered Forest Elephant Calf in Japan! — A Message of Hope from Hiroshima's Asa Zoo to the World

The Birth of an Endangered Forest Elephant Calf in Japan! — A Message of Hope from Hiroshima's Asa Zoo to the World

2025年08月06日 00:15

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: Good News from Asia

  2. What is the African Forest Elephant?

  3. The Story of Asa Zoo and "Mei"

  4. Timeline from Pregnancy Confirmation to Birth

  5. Post-Birth Condition of Mother and Calf and Health Management

  6. Three in the World: The Challenge of Protecting a Very Small Genetic Pool

  7. Current Status of the IUCN Red List and International Conservation Policies

  8. Experience Programs and Ecotourism for Foreign Visitors

  9. Learning the Mysteries of the African Forest Elephant through Q&A

  10. Future Challenges and Prospects

  11. Conclusion: Passing Hope to the Next Generation


1. Introduction: Good News from Asia

On August 5, 2025, at 4:55 AM, the caretakers at Hiroshima City Asa Zoo cheered. It was the moment when the African forest elephant "Mei" finally gave birth. This was an unprecedented event not only in Japan but also in AsiaChugoku Shimbun DigitalTBS NEWS DIG. This news was quickly shared among overseas zoo officials and conservation NGOs, and social media was flooded with congratulatory messages.



2. What is the African Forest Elephant?

The African forest elephant (scientific name Loxodonta cyclotis) is the "giant of the forest" residing in the African tropical rainforest. Unlike the African savanna elephant (L. africana), it is characterized by rounded ears and straight tusks. In March 2021, the IUCN upgraded this species to "CR (Critically Endangered)" and announced that its population had decreased by 86% over the past 30 yearsiucnredlist.orgWikipedia. The main threats are poaching for ivory and the reduction of tropical rainforests.



3. The Story of Asa Zoo and "Mei"

Since the 2010s, Asa Zoo has been collaborating with African conservation groups and welcomed a female named Mei (then 19 years old) and a male named Dai in 2019. The rarity of having two of the only three African forest elephants in captivity worldwide at the zoo became a topic of interestasazoo.jp. The zoo features a vast outdoor enclosure and state-of-the-art blood hormone measurement devices, and mating was confirmed for the first time in December 2023.



4. Timeline from Pregnancy Confirmation to Birth

  • August 21, 2024: Pregnancy confirmed via ultrasound. Images showing the fetus's spine were releasedJapan Wire by KYODO NEWSXinhua News

  • November 26, 2024: Crowdfunding for childbirth and childcare support begins. The goal of 14 million yen is achieved, enhancing facilitiesasazoo.jp

  • May 9, 2025: Fetal head width grows over 20 cm, reported to be progressing wellTBS NEWS DIG

  • July 3, 2025: About a month before the due date, the mother is healthy, and an easy delivery is expectedTBS NEWS DIG

  • August 5, 2025: Successful birth—returning to this news.



5. Post-Birth Condition of Mother and Calf and Health Management

The calf stood up within minutes of birth and wandered in search of milk, reassuring the staffChugoku Shimbun DigitalTBS NEWS DIG. Caretakers monitor body temperature and respiration rate 24/7 and use infrared heaters for warmth as needed. While preparations for artificial rearing are in place, the calf is currently thriving on mother's milk.



6. Three in the World: The Challenge of Protecting a Very Small Genetic Pool

A captive population of just three individuals creates a "genetic bottleneck." The International Studbook Management Plan (EEP) involves sharing genetic data between Japan's Asa Zoo and European conservation facilities, with future plans for artificial insemination and individual exchanges. If the newborn is female, it will have significant implications for global breeding strategies.



7. Current Status of the IUCN Red List and International Conservation Policies

The pillars of the IUCN's conservation strategy are (1) habitat conservation, (2) anti-poaching measures, and (3) community support. In Central Africa, poaching driven by ivory demand remains a serious issue. Protecting forests also contributes to climate change mitigation, and the conservation of forest elephants is increasingly integrated into international funding mechanisms.



8. Experience Programs and Ecotourism for Foreign Visitors

Asa Zoo has launched guided tours in English, French, and Spanish to vividly convey the story of African forest elephant conservation. Visitors can join the "Elephant Keeper Talk" to tour the elephant quarters and participate in conservation donations. This educational approach aims to boost both tourism demand and conservation awareness from abroad.



9. Learning the Mysteries of the African Forest Elephant through Q&A

Q1. What is the average lifespan in the wild?
→ Approximately 60 years, though often shortened by poaching-related deaths.


Q2. How far do they walk?
→ They can travel over 10 km in a single night.


Q3. What is the gestation period?
→ 20 to 22 months. This birth also occurred after about 22 monthsXinhua News.



10. Future Challenges and Prospects

  • Gender Determination: To be confirmed by blood test within a few days.

  • Individual Identification Chip Installation: Planned for around 3 months of age.

  • Long-term Breeding Plan: Planning for a second offspring for the next generation and building cooperative relationships with overseas facilities.

  • Expansion of International Support: Calls for donations to the anti-poaching fund for forest elephants.



11. Conclusion: Passing Hope to the Next Generation

The first birth of an African forest elephant in Japan is a groundbreaking event not only in the history of Japanese zoos but also at the forefront of global conservation. The small life symbolizes the collective responsibility of humanity to connect endangered species to the future. As we watch over the healthy growth of Mei and her baby, we should each consider how we can contribute to their support.



List of Reference Articles and Sources

  • Chugoku Shimbun Digital "Breaking News: African Forest Elephant at Asa Zoo Gives Birth"Chugoku Shimbun Digital

  • TBS NEWS DIG "First in Japan: African Forest Elephant 'Mei' Gives Birth"TBS NEWS DIG

  • Asa Zoo Official Site "Breaking News: African Forest Elephant Mei Has Given Birth!"asazoo.jp

  • Asa Zoo Official "Mei Becomes a Mother: Towards the First Breeding of African Forest Elephants in Japan" Exhibition Materialsasazoo.jp

  • IUCN Red List News "African Forest Elephant Listed as Critically Endangered"iucnredlist.org

  • Wikipedia "African forest elephant"Wikipedia

  • RCC NEWS "Towards Japan's First Birth: African Forest Elephant 'Mei's Baby"##HTML

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