Baby elephant makes first public appearance

An as yet unnamed Asian elephant calf born at Chester Zoo was shown to the public for the first time yesterday morning.

The female animal was born just before midnight on Saturday, weighing 75kg. Visitors were able to get their first sightings of her in the attraction's Elephant House yesterday.

A zoo spokesman said the birth was completely natural, with the calf dropping into deep sand before being sheltered by her mother, Thi. There had been no need for staff assistance, the spokesman added.

After spending yesterday indoors, the new-born will be allowed to venture outside with the rest of her herd today, weather conditions permitting.

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