Two Sri Lankan elephants in Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya, Japan, delivered a female baby elephant on Tuesday, 29th January, being the first Asian elephant to be born at Higashiyama Zoo and the 6th Asian elephant to be born in Japan. Anula (11 years) and Kogala (8 years) were brought to Higashiyama Zoo in 2007 from the Pinnawela Orphanage in Sri Lanka.
The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens are convinced that the birth and growth of the new baby elephant at the beginning of the new year is symbolic for the growth of the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan. Last year, Higashiyama Zoo held a commemorative event at the zoo to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties between Japan and Sri Lanka. H.E. Admiral (rtd.) Wasantha Karannagoda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Japan, was the chief guest of the occasion.
At present, there are 73 Asian elephants at 37 facilities in Japan. Of those, 8 elephants are from Sri Lanka.