Adorable baby elephant born at San Diego Zoo takes first steps

2018-09-30 17:16 Last Updated At：17:16

The calf, the second born at the California zoo in less than two months, already weighs 281lb.

An adorable baby elephant has taken her first steps at San Diego Zoo in California.

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The calf is the second to arrive at the zoo in less than two months.

The female youngster was born to 28-year-old mother Umngani on Wednesday and already weighs 281lb (127kg).

The baby, who is yet to be named, has been introduced to Umngani’s three other offspring, Inhlonipho, Ingadze, and Khosi, and will meet the rest of the herd within a few days.

Curtis Lehman, animal care supervisor at the zoo, said: “Knowing Umngani’s birth window was between 12 September and 18 October, we had been placing her in a small area of the yard at night, separate from the rest of the herd.

“She has given birth three other times, and those calves arrived late, so when we checked on her first thing this morning, we were surprised and thrilled to see her caring for her healthy newborn. Umngani is a great mum, and she and the baby are doing very well.”

The zoo is now home to 14 elephants – four adults and 10 youngsters.

5 dogs suspected to have been poisoned in a series of deaths in Lok Ma Chau

Five dogs have died in a series of suspected cruelty to animals cases in Lok Ma Chau, but no arrests have been made so far.

Police have received four reports since February 16th regarding the discovery of five dogs suspected to have been poisoned in an open space on Liu Pok Road in Lok Ma Chau. Following preliminary investigations, the case has been classified as "cruelty to animals" and is being followed up by the Border District Crime Investigation Team. The carcasses of the five dogs have been transferred to the relevant agencies for post-mortem.

The animal organization "Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation" has recently published several posts on its social media, stating that volunteers found several dead dogs in Lok Ma Chau while providing supplies to stray animals, some of which were suspected to have been poisoned. The organization has reported to the police and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to handle the situation.

The organization also stated that volunteers have taken at least three dogs from the area for temporary shelter and appealed to the public for help in temporary care or adoption to protect the unharmed dogs.