COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the arrival of not one but two new babies – an elephant and a sea lion.
According to WCMH and WSYX, the attraction took to social media Thursday to announce that Asian elephant Phoebe gave birth to a male calf shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday.
“The male calf appears to be strong and was observed nursing shortly after birth,” the zoo wrote in a Facebook post. “While he currently prefers to stand closely between Phoebe’s legs, the calf is also starting to be curious of his surroundings behind the scenes in the zoo’s elephant and rhino building.”
The unnamed calf also is “rather vocal, sometimes emitting a low grumble, and he continues to test out his trunk though he hasn’t quite yet sure figured out how to use it to its fullest potential,” the zoo added.
“Phoebe has remained patient with him and calmly responds to the care team as they observe her and her baby,” the post continued.
Just hours later, California sea lion Lovell gave birth to a pup, whose sex is unknown, early Thursday, the zoo said.
“The pup is already quite active but won’t be ready for swim lessons with mom until Lovell determines her calf is ready,” the post read. “For now, they will continue to bond behind the scenes.”