"'Although Swarna has never birthed a calf herself, she is a natural when it comes to instinctually caring for one,' it explained. 'Swarna displays just the right balance of maternal care along with giving Linh Mai some independence.'"
"'Elephant mothers and families can sometimes reject a calf, especially if the mother is under stress, or when circumstances jeopardise the safety of the rest of the herd,' explained Joshua Plotnik, a psychology professor."
"'Initially, Linh Mai was more focused on us, her keepers, as the ones who gave her bottles. With Swarna taking an auntie role, that has changed and we're starting to see her follow Swarna's lead.'"
"'It's been really cool to see their relationship blossom and to watch them communicate with each other in this way.'"
Linh Mai, a baby Asian elephant born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, was initially rejected by her mother, leading to her auntie Swarna stepping in to care for her. Swarna, despite never having birthed a calf, has shown natural maternal instincts. The situation has garnered significant attention on social media, with many expressing concern. Abandonment in Asian elephants is rare and can occur due to maternal stress. Linh Mai is now bonding with Swarna, showing a shift in her focus from keepers to her auntie, indicating a developing relationship.
Read at Mail Online
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