First Asian elephant born in Australian zoo

SYDNEY - A 265-pound (120-kilogram), big-eared and long-nosed bundle of joy was welcomed in Australia as an important step in helping to save the endangered Asian elephant.

The male calf — so far without a name — was born in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo early Saturday and was healthy and generating many curious responses from among its herd, zoo officials said.

The calf was born to Thong Dee, one of a group of elephants brought to the zoo from Thailand in 2006 after logging camps were closed and there was no work for them at tourist operations in the country.

“Thong Dee’s maternal instincts are kicking in, and she’s being very protective of the newborn,” elephant keeper Kat wrote on a zoo weblog announcing the birth. “The little calf is suckling and standing close to mum, but getting a bit wobbly.”

In another post, an unidentified keeper said: “The

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