World’s 1st IVF elephant 'Gabi' celebrated with special menu on World Elephant Day

GAZIANTEP, Türkiye/ISTANBUL

At Gaziantep Natural Life Park in Türkiye, a special menu featuring the favorite fruits of the world’s first elephant born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) was prepared to celebrate World Elephant Day.

The park, one of the largest in the world in terms of area and species diversity, is home to many animals, including Gabi, the 18-year-old elephant who is classified as endangered.

Born via the pioneering IVF method, Gabi has lived in the park since she was 5 years old.

As one of the park’s most popular residents due to her size and unique background, Gabi was treated to a specially prepared menu of foods on World Elephant Day.

Visitors watched with great interest as she enjoyed her favorite fruits and vegetables.

'She is very happy, and so are we'

Celal Ozsoyler, head of the Metropolitan Municipality’s Natural Life Protection Department, told Anadolu that the park takes great care of all the animals.

"We are celebrating World Elephant Day with Gabi, the world’s first IVF Asian elephant. We prepared a special menu for her. She is very happy, and so are we.

"There are only about 35,000 to 40,000 Asian elephants left in the world, so they are protected. Gabi is one of them here. We are currently looking for a mate for our male elephant. We are in contact with zoos abroad and will bring a partner for him soon," he said.

Ozsoyler added that Gabi enjoys eating fruits and vegetables such as bananas, tomatoes, pineapples, various types of squash and red peppers.

To raise awareness of the declining elephant population listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, World Elephant Day has been observed annually on Aug. 12 since 2012.