Max, the first elephant calf born at Prague Zoo, turns ten
Ten years ago, the first elephant calf in the history of Prague Zoo was born. Today Max lives in Antwerp, but his story remains one of the greatest successes of elephant breeding in the Czech Republic.
Exactly ten years ago, a historic moment took place at Prague Zoo: the elephant Janita gave birth to Max, the first elephant calf ever conceived and born at the zoo. Today Max is an almost fully grown male living in Antwerp, Belgium, but his story — and that of his younger “brother” Rudi — remains one of the biggest milestones in modern elephant breeding in the country.
“Elephants have been part of Prague Zoo since the very beginning, but the first truly Prague-born calf arrived only in 2016,” recalls head elephant keeper Martin Kristen. “After many years of effort and observing different elephant groups, we finally succeeded.”
A birth that changed history
Shortly after 3 a.m. on April 5, 2016, the first trumpet of the newborn Max echoed through Elephant Valley. It was immediately clear that Prague Zoo was witnessing an extraordinary moment. After 639 days of pregnancy, the first calf conceived and born in Prague had arrived.
His name refers to Emperor Maximilian II of Habsburg, who is believed to have kept the first elephant recorded in Czech lands at his court.
Reaching this moment was not easy. “In the past, people believed it was enough to simply bring an elephant from its country of origin,” explains Kristen. “But the females often lived alone instead of in herds, and males could be extremely aggressive. It took decades before we understood that the only way forward was to keep elephants as closely as possible to how they live in the wild.”
Max quickly became a star — not only because he was the first, but also thanks to his personality. Curious, energetic and fond of water, he quickly learned training routines needed for veterinary care. Keepers often described him as an unstoppable optimist.
Rudi, the elephant brother
Half a year later another calf was born — Rudi, the son of the elephant Tamara. His name also has a historical connection, this time to Emperor Rudolf II. Max and Rudi grew up together as an inseparable pair and quickly won the hearts of visitors.
Janita and Tamara, the foundation of the Prague herd, are now both pregnant again. “We expect two calves next year,” says Kristen. “Janita at the beginning of February and Tamara in the second half of April.”
Female elephants can give birth for many decades. “A female can have calves until around fifty years of age, and in ideal conditions one may be born every five to six years,” he adds.
Growing up and moving on
Max and Rudi stayed in Prague longer than is usual for young male elephants. This was helped by the presence of the adult bull Ankhor, who acted as a calm authority within the group. Eventually, however, it was time for them to move on.
“This concerns only the males,” Kristen explains. “Just like in the wild, the group gradually pushes young males away. Around seven or eight years of age is the ideal time for them to move to another zoo.”
Max moved to Antwerp in 2024, where he quickly became a favourite among his new keepers. Rudi moved to Italy. Both are now an important part of the European breeding programme.
Ten years later
Since Max’s birth, four more elephant calves have been born in Prague. With two more expected next year, the story of Prague’s elephant breeding programme looks set to continue just as successfully as it began ten years ago. Today, Prague Zoo ranks among the most successful elephant breeders in Europe.
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