The number of pet elephants of the state forest department reached 111 — Nelson in cricketing parlance — on Saturday as Yuvraj was born at the Gorumara National Park of Jalpaiguri.

Motirani, a pet elephant who was pregnant for over 18 months and staying at Medla camp in Gorumara, gave birth to a male calf early on Saturday.

State forest minister Rajib Banerjee named the calf Yuvraj.

“We had 110 pet elephants before Yuvraj. The male calf is the newest member of the family. Both the mother and calf are stable and under observation,” said V.K. Yadav, the state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife).

Banerjee, who was in Siliguri, at a meeting with department officials, hinted that they were planning to reopen national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other parks and gardens of north Bengal ahead of Durga Puja.

Like every year, reserve forests closed on June 16. Though they are scheduled to reopen on September 15 for visitors, the pandemic has made the reopening uncertain.

“I have asked a senior official here to submit a report to me within a week on the present state of affairs of forests in north Bengal and how those can reopen for visitors with health safety protocols. We will decide on the issue based on the report,” said Banerjee.

Meanwhile, state tourism minister Gautam Deb visited the Bengal Safari Park to know the conditions of the three newborn tiger cubs.

“I will request the chief minister to name these cubs. We will also urge her to see that kangaroos and giraffes are brought at the park here. These would be added attractions for visitors and particularly for children” said Deb.