Pattaya —
The Nong Nooch Tropical Garden celebrated the birth of a new baby elephant with a traditional blessing ceremony today, May 9th.
The ceremony was presided over by Phra Kru Si Sara Thikhun, the abbot of Khao Khanthamat Temple and head monk of Sattahip sub-district. The event marked the happy occasion of welcoming the newest baby elephant to the garden’s elephant sanctuary.
The mother elephant, Pang Nong Ploy, 24, has previously given birth to two calves and has a unique habit of using her foot to touch her newborn during delivery. Due to this special behavior, the Nong Nooch Garden staff took extra care of Pang Nong Ploy throughout her pregnancy.
After a month, on April 30th, at 6:00 PM, Pang Nong Ploy showed signs of imminent delivery. The staff then secured her to a post to ensure the safety of the calf. At 10:45 PM, a healthy female elephant was born. She was immediately able to stand and balance on her own.
The newborn calf was named Pang Measa. She was welcomed by other elephants with a procession of dancers and 30 elephants. Flower garlands were put on Pang Measa and her mother to bring good fortune.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden currently cares for a total of 74 elephants, under the supervision of a dedicated team of veterinarians and elephant keepers. The garden is the first in Thailand to receive certification for excellent elephant care practices from the Department of Livestock Development and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, according to the garden officials.
