An Asian elephant born at Melbourne zoo has died on Monday night after a rare condition made it difficult for her to stand.
Since her birth on June 15, six-week-old has Willow suffered from a condition called condition called Congenital Carpal Flexure, meaning her feet curled backwards and she was unable to get up to feed from her mum , Num-Oi.
The calf reportedly died in the Elephant Barn enclosure.
“Extremely sad news this morning,” the Zoo’s statement read on Tuesday morning. “We have lost Willow.”
“The team did absolutely everything possible to pull her through, and everyone here is feeling the loss hugely,” spokeswoman Judith Henke said.
Many animal lovers have reached out on Twitter to pass on their condolences.
PHOTO NOTE: The elephant pictured is baby Asian elephant Mali, who also lives at Melbourne Zoo – the zoo has not released pictures of Willow.
