Elephant in Aberdare gives birth to twins in rare event

Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officials made the announcement on Tuesday morning, describing the birth as “extremely rare”.

“Waking up to exciting & great News! An elephant from Aberdare N.Park just gave birth to twins,” wrote KWS on Twitter, further inviting guests to visit the park.

KWS did not, however, divulge the health of the twins. 

Tuesday’s birth brings to three the total number of known set of twins in the country.

In 2006, an elephant gave birth to twins who did not live long as they were reported to have died shortly after.

In January this year, another elephant gave birth to twins at the Samburu National Reserve.

Scientists say that elephant twin survival is very difficult because female elephants lack adequate milk to nourish two calves.

Twin births among the jumbo are very rare and account for less than one percent of births.

Female elephants give birth every four years with pregnancies lasting 22 months.