Sydney welcomes first elephant calf
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An elephant expert says the delivery of the first elephant to be born in Australia at Sydney's Taronga Zoo is a significant step in international conservation measures. (ABC TV)
The first baby elephant to be delivered in Australia has been born at Taronga Zoo.
After three hours of labour, the male calf was delivered at 3:00am (AEST) to Thong Dee, originally a street elephant in Bangkok.
Keepers say the mother was initially surprised by the birth and it took some time before they could introduce her to the calf.
Both calf and mother are doing well.
Taronga Zoo director Guy Cooper said veterinarians are happy with the calf's progress.
"The tiny calf was delivered ... in the Zoo's Elephant Barn," he said in a statement.
"She was quite magnificent and her success is a tribute to the incredibly hard work our elephant keepers have done to support our elephants as a true family unit.
"They were with her throughout the night and have been sleeping at the barn to support Thong Dee the instant she went into labour."
The Zoo said Thong Dee's companions - Porntip, Pak Boon and Tang Mo - watched on with interest as the baby was delivered.
Porntip is expecting Taronga's first calf conceived via artificial insemination early next year.
Pak Boon is also pregnant, carrying the Zoo's second naturally conceived calf, and will likely give birth in early 2011.
Meanwhile, Colin Groves from the Australian National University says the birth is a significant step in international conservation measures.
There was controversy over the pregnancy as Thong Dee was thought to be eight years old when she became pregnant.
But Professor Groves says it has been confirmed that the elephant is 12 or 13, which he says is an acceptable age for giving birth.
"Elephants have teenage pregnancies, if you like, as well," he said.
Professor Grove says the birth is important internationally as elephants are rarely born in captivity.
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