A 30-year-old elephant has given birth to twins at Kimana Sanctuary in Kenya’s Amboseli ecosystem, marking the sixth recorded set of elephant twins in the region and raising hopes for wildlife conservation.
The two calves were born on October 7 to Twain, a member of the TC elephant family, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
“Twain, a remarkable 30-year-old elephant from the TC family in Kimana Sanctuary, has made history by welcoming a set of twins,” KWS said in a statement.
The birth is a rare event in elephant populations, with twins accounting for about one per cent of elephant births.
However, the survival of both calves could prove challenging because raising twins places additional demands on the mother, particularly during the period when the young elephants depend on her milk for nourishment.
Amboseli has previously recorded difficulties associated with twin births. In 2020, an elephant named Angelina gave birth to male and female twins, but the calves became underweight amid concerns that their mother was struggling to produce enough milk.
Twain’s calves will similarly require close monitoring to establish whether they are receiving sufficient nourishment and developing normally. Their survival will depend on maternal care and their ability to withstand the vulnerable early months of life.
The birth comes as conservation authorities continue to address threats to elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem. Multiple elephant deaths were reported this year, raising concerns and prompting investigations into possible poisoning.
Amboseli’s elephants rely on access to food, water and connected habitats across protected areas and community-owned lands. Maintaining these connections is important for their movement and survival, particularly as environmental pressures affect the availability of essential resources.
