'Dead' baby elephant calf born alive at Australian zoo

Taronga Zoo's baby elephant has been born alive - shocking experts who thought he had died in the womb.

The male calf was born at 3.27am this morning to the astonishment of Zoo staff following the sad announcement on Monday that the baby had died.



Staff thought he was dead because he couldn’t get through the birth canal – he was in a position no elephant expert had seen before.

“The baby was upside-down and face-first, normally they are back feet first and the right way up,” a zoo expert said.



There was speculation the baby had naturally turned again but staff said it was too early to tell.

Mark Williams, Taronga Zoo spokesman said the calf is receiving intensive care from its keepers and the veterinary team and is still with its mother, Porntip.