# Sumatran elephant conservation and captive births

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sumatran-elephant-conservation-and-captive-births
> Updated: 2026-08-18T05:01:26.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Recent reports highlight successful births of Sumatran elephant calves in different regions, contributing to the conservation of the critically endangered subspecies.

In Madrid, a male calf was born at the Zoo Aquarium de Madrid to a mother named Cynthia. The birth, part of the European Endangered Species Programme, is noted as a significant milestone for international conservation efforts given that the species has seen its natural habitat reduced by approximately 69% over the last three decades.

In Indonesia, a male calf was born at the Jalur 21 Elephant Conservation Center in South Sumatra to parents Lestari and Gapula. Following the birth, medical teams and mahouts have initiated intensive 24-hour monitoring to manage the calf and mother amidst high temperatures in the open conservation area.

## Claims

- A male Sumatran elephant calf was born at the Jalur 21 Elephant Conservation Center. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The calf is a male born to a mother named Lestari and a father named Gapula. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The calf was born healthy and was able to stand and nurse shortly after birth. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Medical teams are providing intensive 24-hour monitoring and specialized care due to hot weather. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The birth occurred on August 17, coinciding with Indonesia's Independence Day. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Sumatran elephant calf born in South Sumatra conservation center

A healthy male Sumatran elephant calf was born at the Jalur 21 Elephant Conservation Center in South Sumatra on Indonesia's Independence Day.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sumatran-elephant-calf-born-in-south-sumatra-conservation-center

### 2026-08-06: Sumatran elephant calf born at Madrid's Zoo Aquarium, a boost for conservation

A male Sumatran elephant calf was born at Madrid's Zoo Aquarium after a 20‑minute delivery, marking a key step for the critically endangered subspecies and European conservation programs.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sumatran-elephant-calf-born-at-madrid-zoo

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Cite as: Sumatran elephant conservation and captive births. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sumatran-elephant-conservation-and-captive-births