Naming ceremony organized for elephant calf!

KATHMANDU: A naming ceremony was organized at the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Koshi Province for a newborn elephant calf on Wednesday.

Shobhakali, a domesticated elephant that has served the reserve for nearly two decades, delivered her seventh calf at around 10:30 pm on November 16. Marking the calf’s 11th day, the reserve organized a formal naming event where the newborn was christened ‘Bhupendra Gaj’.

Shobhakali is widely used for patrols, wildlife monitoring and rescue operations. With the latest birth, her offspring count has reached seven, many of which are reportedly thriving in conservation areas and elephant breeding centres. The mahouts said the calf began following its mother from the third day and currently consumes 10–12 litres of milk a day.

Spread across 175 square kilometres, Koshi Tappu is a key habitat for elephants, rhinos, deer, blue bulls and more than 450 bird species. Reserve officials say working elephants like Shobhakali play an essential role in border surveillance and curbing poaching activities.