Baby elephant at Melbourne Zoo is undergoing treatment

A baby elephant at Melbourne Zoo has been diagnosed with a congenital carpal flexure which prevents it from being able to stand, according to the head vet at Melbourne Zoo. 

The calf is being leaned against a hay bale and fed every two hours in a harness to prevent complications from lying down. 

The condition itself is treatable according to Dr Michael Lynch, head vet at Melbourne Zoo. The problem is that the calf has to be separated from it’s mother during treatment.

‘That’s a problem because Asian elephants don’t tolerate artificial milk powder very well, and it can introduce a whole lot of complications,’ he said. 

The calf is the sibling of Sanook, who died in a 2013 strangulation accident while playing with his favourite toy.

Click PLAY below to hear Dr Michael Lynch speak with Neil.