The cost of milk formula for 1 elephant calf per month is $900. Milk formula is one of the biggest challenges that we have at the nursery and it comes at vast expense. Elephant orphans have challenges adapting to a substitute formula when they come into our care and there are very few substitute formulas that work for young elephants. Over the years, we have managed to find a particular formula that our babies like and every dollar that goes towards milk powder is one step towards keeping these little calves alive.