CHITWAN, Sept 17: The Elephant Breeding and Training Centre of the Chitwan National Park (CNP) at Khorsor is expecting eight new elephant calves this year. 

While two calves have already been born, the centre is awaiting the birth of the remaining six, said Mana Puran Chaudhary, chief of the training centre. According to Chaudhary, Karnalikali gave birth to a male calf on May 25 while Himalikali gave birth to a female calf on May 29.

Devikali, Tirthamankali and Rimjhimkali are expecting to give birth within October 16. Similarly, Tamorkali, Loktantrakali and Chitwankali are giving birth within this year.

The elephant calves are trained three years after birth, Chaudhary said. There are 11 mother elephants and 10 calves at the breeding centre at present. The centre has been in operation since 2044 BS. 

However, it was not until 2054 BS that the elephants at the centre started giving birth. So far, the centre has produced 67 calves. The calves born here are mobilized at different posts of CNP after training them.