In an extraordinary and rare wildlife event, a female elephant named Anarkali at Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) has given birth to twin female calves, bringing joy and excitement to the entire reserve staff. The incident occurred on November 21, 2025 within the Hinouta forest range. According to Deputy Director of Panna Tiger Reserve, Mohit Sood, Anarkali aged 57 years, delivered her first female calf at 2:20 PM at Khairiya location. The second female calf was born at 5:50 PM at Hinouta Elephant Camp. The significant time gap between the two births added to the surprise, making the event even more remarkable. A health examination of the mother and both newborns was carried out by the Wildlife Veterinary Officer of Panna Tiger Reserve.

 

The report confirmed that Anarkali and her twin calves are completely healthy. Their condition is being closely monitored, but officials say there is no cause for concern. With the birth of these two calves, the elephant population in Panna Tiger Reserve has now reached 21, including 5 males and 16 females, comprising adults, sub-adults and calves. Wildlife experts highlight that the birth of twin elephant calves is extremely rare, occurring in less than 1% of elephant pregnancies worldwide. This makes the event exceptionally special for Panna Tiger Reserve and a moment of celebration for wildlife lovers across the country. Forest authorities described the births as a historic and miraculous moment, marking a significant milestone in PTR’s conservation efforts and symbolizing hope for endangered wildlife.