Right now, it’s safe to say that most of us only want positive feeds on our social media.
Among the feeds that are trending right now are cooking videos, DIY, animal rescue, funny videos, and of course, baby videos! Who could resist those tiny and adorable creatures? It just melts your heart right away!
Last November 26, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden posted a video that instantly went viral. You’ve guessed it right; it’s all about something adorable.
It’s an ultrasound video of a baby elephant comfortably snuggled inside its mother’s womb.
Asha, the mother elephant, is just 25 years old. She’s an Asian elephant that resides at the Oklahoma City Zoo, who is expecting her fourth baby due on February 2022.
The father of the tiny elephant inside Asha is the 51-year old elephant named Rex. He also lives in the same zoo. Rex and Asha already have two offsprings named Achara who’s five years old, and Kairavi, who’s one year old.
Unfortunately, Asha and Rex’s other offspring, Malee, died four years back due to a disease named Endotheliotropic herpesvirus. It’s a fatal type of herpes virus that causes bleeding to baby Asian elephants.
That’s one of the reasons why elephant pregnancies are closely monitored.
Aside from diseases, we all know that due to the dramatic loss of their natural habitat, elephants have become endangered species. They are big animals, and they need a large space to thrive. Unfortunately, aside from natural calamities, people have done so much damage due to deforestation that these animals are greatly affected.
Not to mention people who hunt them for sport or poaching them for skin and ivory. These poor animals are greatly suffering.
“Asian elephants are endangered and have lost 93% of their total habitat to date. Protecting their habitat and providing education, both here and in native range states, are the two greatest things we can do to help preserve these animals in the wild,” said Rachel Emory, the zoo’s curator of Elephants and Rhinos to Bored Panda.
That’s the reason why every pregnancy is a celebration for these gentle giants.
Frequent checkups and ultrasounds are regular procedures for any elephant that’s pregnant. This is to check the mother and the unborn baby’s well-being. Good thing that Asha and her unborn baby are both doing very well.
The short but touching video of Asha’s ultrasound was really beautiful. It was something that will touch anyone’s heart. Most ultrasound videos are blurry, and you can’t even make out what you’re seeing but not this one.
The video was very clear. You can see the baby’s legs, its trunk, ears, and yes, we think that was a smile too!
Mommy Asha is already eight months pregnant. So, that’s 14 months to go before we see this cute bundle of joy!
“Asha is unique in that she is very gentle, patient and eager to learn,” said Rachel.” She has raised three calves and is an excellent mother. Asha does an incredible job of allowing her calves to explore the Zoo’s elephant habitat and interact with other herd mates, while also always keeping them within her sight.”
She’s is already considered an experienced mom by now since she already had many babies. She’s very gentle, and she knows how to take care of herself as well. She loves to eat, and she also gets her vitamins and of course, exercises.
“Probably more than any of the Zoo’s other elephants, Asha loves to eat! Her main diet consists of hay, grass and tree limbs—her personal favorite,” said Rachel to Bored Panda. “She also receives extra fruits and vegetables as positive reinforcement during all of her training sessions. All of these training sessions, like the ultrasound, are completely voluntary and allow us to safely and comfortably provide medical care for all of the elephants. Asha especially enjoys watermelon, cantaloupe and bananas during these sessions.”
We can’t get enough of that ultrasound video. It’s too adorable!
As of today, Asha lives with six other elephants in Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. She lives with Bamboo, her partner Rex, her sister Chandra, Kandula, and of course, her daughters Achara, and Kairavi.
We’re excited to see an update from Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden when Asha gives birth. We’re pretty sure that she’d be a great mom.
Watch the video here, and don’t forget to share this with all those who’d love to see such an adorable ultrasound video. You can also follow Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden for updates and you have to check out their amazing photos as well.
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