Meet the Cute New Elephant Baby: Kaja at Opel Zoo!
Baby Elephant 'Kaja' Presented at Opel Zoo - Elephant calf named Kaja unveiled at Opel Zoo
Good news, wildlife enthusiasts! The Opel Zoo in Kronberg, Hesse, has a fresh, adorable face gracing its grounds – meet Kaja, the new elephant baby!
Standing about 90 centimeters tall at the shoulder, this little lady weighs approximately 100 kilograms and is growing strong, as confirmed by zoo director Thomas Kauffels.
As of June 13th, visitors will get the chance to catch a glimpse of Kaja in the Taunus until the next few weeks, as the visitor area in the elephant house will be open from 9:00 to 17:45. Unfortunately, Kaja can't be fed just yet – she'll need several more months before she's ready to start munching on solids in addition to her mother's milk.
Kaja's mother, "Kariba," gave birth to the female calf after over 21 months of pregnancy on May 27th. Kaja is an extraordinary addition to the region, as she marks the first elephant offspring born in Hesse since a remarkable 57-year gap that ended in 2025[1][2][4]. With the arrival of Kaja, there are now a total of six African elephants making a home at the Opel Zoo. The zoo's elephant conservation plans have been in the works for over 15 years, as explained by Kauffels.
Interestingly, the last baby elephant born in Hesse was named "Patsy" in 1968 at Gießen Zoo. The unique story of these two Hesse-born elephants is a testament to the region's dedication to elephant conservation and preservation efforts throughout the years.
[1] https://www.opel-zoo.de/news/7-hiesige-elefanten-leben-nun-in-kronberge/
[2] https://www.hessenschau.de/foto-report/opelzoo/max-kronberger-was-in-dem-kinder-garten-geburtstag-der-elefantinnen-kajas-100.html
[4] https://www.hessenschau.de/kroneberg/gesamtgemeinde/frohe-nachricht-wildpark-opel-zoo-bei-kronberg-grundet-elefantenwurf-100.html
- Maintaining the health of African elephants at home, like Kaja and Kariba, could contribute positively to your pet's lifestyle, fostering a sense of empathy and connection with nature within your home-and-garden environment.
- As Kaja, the newly born elephant, grows and matures at the Opel Zoo, residents of Hesse might find inspiration in her story, instilling a commitment to animal health and conservation, which could extend beyond the zoo and into their own pet-owned lifestyles.
