Baby Sumatran elephant Ganesha born at Tesso Nilo National Park

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) - Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced that a male Sumatran elephant calf born to a mother named Lisa at the Tesso Nilo National Park Flying Squad in Riau Province has been named Ganesha.

Speaking during a peatland rehabilitation visit in Bengkalis on Wednesday, Antoni said the name was given by House of Representatives Commission IV Chairperson Titiek Soeharto, who welcomed the birth as a boost to conservation efforts.

"Alhamdulillah, today we have a name for the baby boy. The name was given by Ibu Titiek, chairperson of Commission IV, and his name is Ganesha," Antoni said.

In Hindu tradition, Ganesha is an elephant-headed deity symbolizing wisdom, new beginnings, and the overcoming of obstacles, the minister noted.

Antoni expressed hope that the calf's birth would serve as a symbol of new life and long-term sustainability for the endangered Sumatran elephant species and its natural habitat.

Tesso Nilo National Park Agency Head Heru Sutmantoro said the calf was born on Monday night, marking Lisa's sixth offspring from breeding with a wild elephant.

A joint team of mahouts, veterinarians, and animal keepers monitored Lisa from Sunday after observing clinical signs of labor, including mammary gland hardening and increased restlessness.

Lisa's movements slowed on Monday morning, prompting continuous monitoring until she gave birth later that afternoon, according to authorities.

"The birth peaked at 7:00 p.m., when Lisa delivered safely on her own. By 7:20 p.m., the calf was standing independently," Sutmantoro said.

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Translator: Bayu AA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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