Sri Lanka rangers spot possible elephant twins in rare moment

A pair of baby elephants feeding with their mother has been spotted at a National Park in Sri Lanka, sparking speculation that they could be a rare set of twins.

Footage from Minneriya National Park on July 7, shows a pair of young tuskers, who rangers estimate is three to four-weeks-old, feeding on the same mother.

The young elephants can be later seen grazing with other elephants in the herd.

After observing the pair from a distance, officials are confident enough to say "they are twins," Department of Wildlife Conservation Director-General Tharaka Prasad told local media.

The rangers are carrying out DNA tests to confirm the speculations.

However, after observing the group of elephants during the last few days, officials have confirmed there is a set of twins born to an adult female.

This observation was made by one of Sri Lanka’s acclaimed researchers on Elephants and a former Director-General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, along with officers of the Minneriya National Park.

It will be the first time that Sri Lanka will record the birth of twin elephant calves.

Authorities are taking all measures to protect the twin baby elephants and their mother.

The country's elephant population has declined to just over 7,000 according to the latest census, down from an estimated 12,000 in the early 1900s.