Pairi Daiza Celebrates the Birth of a Second Asian Elephant Calf in 2025
Pairi Daiza is thrilled to announce the birth of a new Asian elephant calf on August 21, 2025. The proud mother, Soraya, aged 14, delivered her baby safely and calmly, surrounded by her dedicated caretakers, veterinarians, and her close-knit elephant family. Both mother and calf are in good health.
The birth took place at 12:18 a.m. inside the elephant dormitory, in the presence of Soraya’s mother, Khaing Hnin Hnin, and the rest of the family group. A culmination for the keepers.
"A birth is always a delicate challenge for the team, both before and after. We spent hours on watch together, making sure that the delivery went well, for Soraya and for her future little one. We are now ready to provide follow-up care in the coming days. Moments like these bond a team and create unforgettable memories." — Nicolas Covens, elephant keeper
This second birth of the year is especially moving because of Soraya’s life story. In December 2020, she gave birth to a male calf named Sayun, who quickly won the hearts of visitors and keepers alike. Sadly, in August 2023, Sayun succumbed to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a leading cause of mortality among young Asian elephants. Despite intensive care, medical treatment, and blood transfusions, the virus proved fatal.
"Welcoming a new life is always a moment of rare intensity. But when it follows the painful loss of Sayun, the emotion is even greater. Soraya is a courageous mother, and we are honored to stand by her side for this new chapter,” — Pairi Daiza’s elephant care team.
The Pairi Daiza Foundation on Protecting Endangered Species
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), to which Soraya and her newborn belong, is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Fewer than 50,000 remain in the wild, scattered across 13 Asian countries. Habitat loss, human conflict, and diseases such as EEHV continue to threaten their survival.
Breeding programs in zoological parks play a vital role in safeguarding the species’ future. The Pairi Daiza Foundation is equally committed to combating EEHV, working to protect elephants in the wild as well as those cared for in zoos. The Foundation helped establish a diagnostic laboratory in Belgium in collaboration with Zoolyx Veterinary Lab (Aalst). Since 2023, it has been working with Utrecht University’s EEHV research group to develop a vaccine. In late 2024, the vaccine was tested for the first time in Europe at Rotterdam Zoo, with six elephants over the age of five successfully vaccinated. The next stage will extend trials to younger elephants.
A Growing Family at Pairi Daiza
With this latest birth, Pairi Daiza is now home to 17 Asian elephants, making it one of the largest herds in Europe.
From today, the newborn calf, who has not yet been named, can already be seen exploring his new environment alongside his mother Soraya, grandmother Khaing Hnin Hnin, the other females of the group, and young Siam, born on June 14.
Pairi Daiza is open daily. For more information, visit www.pairidaiza.eu.
Johan Vreys