Corra ' s first day ON THE SAVANNA was Feb . 15 , 2024 .
“ Our endocrinologists here do an amazing job to give us that 48-hour birth window ,” said Dr . Geoff Pye , Animal Health Director at Animal Kingdom . “ Which means that we can really focus our efforts so you don ’ t then have super tired people because they ’ ve been 24 / 7 monitoring and then everybody is just exhausted .”
Although a critical period of monitoring by the Animal Care team begins right after birth , the goal is to be as hands-off as possible .
“ The Association of Zoos and Aquariums provides guidelines on minimal interference to allow animals to use their instinctual knowledge ,” said an Animal Care spokesperson . “ Our Animal Care experts will interfere only in the case of life or death ; this is determined on a case-by-case basis .”
Instead , the care team helps set the animals up for success by establishing conditions on a daily , long-term basis that enable them to observe , learn from their animal peers , and follow their instincts .
Female elephants form a matriarchal society where they stick together and care for the herd ’ s young . Corra ’ s grandmother , Donna , and her aunts , Stella and Luna , are also part of the female herd living together at the theme park , so Nadirah and Corra had lots of support .
“ It ’ s such an enriching thing that is so natural for them ,” said Elizabeth Warncke , Animal Care Manager with Disney ’ s Animals , Science , and Environment . “ They spend pretty much their entire lives with their mom , their grandmother , their aunts , their cousins . This is the dynamic that you would see in the wild so for us to incorporate it here is great for them .”
When Nadirah went into labor , the team made sure that Nadirah ’ s younger sister Luna was with her , both for support and as a learning moment for Luna , one of two elephants at the park expecting in 2025 .
LOCATION : Memento Mori Gift Shop Wallpaper , Magic Kingdom
DIFFICULTY : Photos by Abby Richardson
“ We want to make sure that the younger elephants are involved … [ Luna ]’ s been a part of the process . She understands what it is — she ’ s seen a tiny , little baby ,” Elizabeth said .
Once the elephant is born , all the adult females in the herd help raise the young . Elephant offspring are considered independent at around 8 years old .
Corra ' s first day ON THE SAVANNA was Feb . 15 , 2024 .
Corra on her first day out on the savanna . PHOTOS BY DANNY SHUSTER