A couple of months ago I did an interview with the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) team that was visiting us. They are one of our major supporters. They happened to ask me about elephant mothers and calves and they have released the video for Mothers' Day in the US.

A number of people have asked about an apparent paradox, that in most of Africa (East, West and Central Africa) elephants are apparently facing major threats from poaching and land use competition, while in southern Africa there are said to be "too many elephants". There are several factors coming together to create this divergence of viewpoints.

The facts seem to be that:

We are delighted to hit another landmark in our baby boom. Since the 12th of October, we've now documented 150 births. These calves are thriving, having been born in an above-average rainfall year. It's a delight being around the families, even though the terrain is becoming increasingly water-logged and harder for us to get to the elephants.

The TC family starred in Cynthia’s book Elephant Memories, and their triumphs and trials through thirteen years have introduced countless people to the wonder of elephant family life.

Echo's family, the EBs, have had seven new calves since November. Ebony, Eliot, Enid, Ella, Elettra, Echeri and Eleanor have given birth to six males and one female. Eliot has the female, but this calf more than holds her own with her male cousins.

Here are some of my favourite images of our newest arrivals in Amboseli. The calves are doing well and we're nowhere near the end of the births yet.

Geeta's new daughter gave us cause for celebration with her arrival at position 100.

Yesterday Katito Sayialel found four new born calves which brings the baby boom total to 102! Katito wins the prize and tonight we're all gathering to celebrate this amazing phenomenon.

Photos of the new calves will follow soon.