On Saturday she received the news of another calf birth at her Elephant Park, some 50 km from the northern capital. It was the fourth birth there in as many years and the sheer thrill of welcoming yet another addition to the 43 strong herd fills her with glee. The most amazing thing about this birth is that it was completely unexpected. The Karen mahout Sahla did not even know that the pachyderm under his care was pregnant. "She just went into the forest at night, bringing her auntie with her, next morning there was a baby bull elephant. What a surprise - a real gift! I have been with Chang (elephants) since I was a young boy, my people have lived and worked with elephants for centuries. I asked around and even the Mae Praek (the head elephant-man) had never heard of such a thing". With such a history of elephant care, coupled with regular vet inspections it is indeed incredible that the pregnancy went unnoticed.

Elephant mothers choose and "aunt" to help them give birth and care for their young. Her tasks include making up grass beds, teaching and protecting the infant in times of danger as well as giving the youth an occasional smack with her trunk when naughty. They have, perhaps, the closest community values of any land mammal.

The birth apparently went smoothly but it has created a dilemma for the park vet who has never heard of a female elephant cow delivery so soon after her last birth. It is just twenty six months since Joban, the mother, last calved. Aged around 20 years old Saen is her third offspring. What is so surprising about the proximity in birth dates is that the elephants pregnancy last for almost two years. They normally have a break of at least another two more years - between birth and the next bout of breeding - to recuperate and look after their young calf. At the moment she is still producing milk other calf. There is, however, no conflict or jealously between the usurped sister, Maitai, and he has taken kindly to her younger brother. But there is not enough for both for them and the sister is now ready to eat solid food. She is given a powered milk supplement and the vet is closely monitoring her situation.