Mingalar Oo

Female, born March 1, 1992 in Emmen

Her name means: Hoping for the Best.

Father: Naing Thein                                                                             Mother: Htoo Kin Aye

Mingalar Oo is the first elephant born in Emmen Zoo. On Sunday March 1, 1992, everybody was excited; Htoo Kin Aye was showing the first signs of the delivery. The first contractions were seen at 5 AM, two hours later,  followed by a "slimy ball", the unmistakable evidence of a coming birth.

That day the herd, but most of all the near-to-be mother, was very restless. While the keepers were preparing the elephant house, the contractions came more frequently. But the keepers decided to let the herd stay outside.

Swe San Htay stayed with her friend all day, and from time to time she touched the breasts of Htoo Kin Aye. The other ladies also were very concerned. This behavior is very important: the labor of an elephant is an event for the whole group.

On 9:28 PM, with a lot of screaming from the mother, the baby fell to the floor. Immediately followed by a loud trumpetting of the herd. Can you imagine a nicer welcome for an elephant baby? It took a while, but at 10:09 PM the baby stood up for the first time.

Mingalar Oo became the darling of the herd until the next baby was born on June 1, that same year (Bo Gyi). She had whitnessed many times the birth of a baby, and on August 7, 2005 she gave birth  to Myo Set Kaung.

With a baby in the herd, the social behaviors of elephants becomes more clear. When Thi Ha Phya preferred to nurse Aung Naing Lay instead of her own newborn son, Tsje Pyan, Mingalar Oo and her mother took care for the baby. The problem was the feeding, as both elephants couldn't gave milk for the baby. After Thi Ha Phyu and Tsje Pyan were separeted, the mother began to nurse her own son.

Mingalar Oo is a very good mother. Myo Set Kaung is thriving and grows one kilogram per day. The little one plays with his nephew Letsongmon, leaving his mother the time for social talks. Since mothers and aunties are watching the two babies, nothing can happen.

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