Jakarta, Aug. 18 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry announced the birth of a critically endangered Sumatran elephant ( Elephas maximus sumatranus ) calf at the Jalur 21 Elephant Conservation Center in Padang Sugihan, South Sumatra.

The birth occurred on August 17, coinciding with Indonesia's Independence Day.

Head of the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Daniwari Widiyanto said in a statement on Tuesday that the male calf was born to a female named Lestari and a male named Gapula.

"This birth is a profoundly meaningful gift from nature for the conservation of protected wildlife in Indonesia, especially arriving on our historic Independence Day," Widiyanto remarked.

Under the close supervision of a medical...