Historic Twin Elephant Birth: 57-Year-Old Anarkali Delivers Rare Twin Calves at Panna Tiger Reserve

The 57-year-old elephant Anarkali has welcomed twin female calves at the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), marking an extraordinary event in wildlife conservation.

The rare twin birth occurred on Saturday, with the calves arriving approximately three hours apart. Veterinarians and wildlife specialists closely monitored the delivery, confirming that both mother and babies are in excellent health.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, a wildlife veterinarian, emphasized the exceptional nature of this occurrence, stating that twin births among elephants are extremely rare even in protected environments.

While PTR is globally recognized for its tiger population, it also hosts a thriving elephant community. The arrival of these twin calves has increased the reserve's elephant count to 21.

This twin birth represents the first such event in PTR's history, generating enthusiasm among forest personnel, researchers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

PTR Field Director Naresh Singh Yadav detailed the special care arrangements implemented for the mother and newborns. "Anarkali is receiving highly nutritious food, including porridge, sugarcane, jaggery, and pure ghee laddus," he explained. A specialized team has been assigned specifically to care for and feed the newborn calves.

Anarkali has a distinguished history at the reserve. Records show she was brought to PTR in 1986 and has since become an essential component of forest protection initiatives.

Throughout her years at the reserve, she has given birth to six calves, though this marks her first experience delivering twins.

Known for her exceptional instincts during patrolling, Anarkali reportedly detects poachers or illegal loggers and responds decisively, sometimes using her trunk to throw stones to frighten them away.

During the rainy season, when vehicles cannot access forest paths, elephants like Anarkali become essential for patrolling and rescue operations. They assist in tiger tracking, territory monitoring, anti-poaching surveillance, and complex rescue missions.

For the reserve, this twin birth represents not just a celebratory occasion but is also considered an auspicious sign, strengthening the elephant patrol team that plays a crucial role in tiger conservation efforts.

Panna Tiger Reserve, India's 22nd tiger reserve and Madhya Pradesh's fifth, encompasses extensive forest areas across Panna and Chhatarpur districts within the Vindhya mountain range.

Today, PTR has gained international recognition not only for its successful tiger reintroduction program but also for its crocodile rehabilitation initiatives and vulture conservation efforts.