A one-day-old Asian elephant has made his debut at Budapest Zoo, taking cautious steps under the watchful gaze of his mother, Angele.
The calf was born early at 4 a.m., with his big sister, Asha, also present during the birth, mirroring natural behaviors observed in the wild.
Four-year-old Asha is eager to bond with her new sibling, but her excitement leads to moments where their mother gently intervenes to keep her at a distance.
The elephant house is currently closed to the public to provide the family with a calm environment, allowing only veterinarians and caretakers to enter, according to local reports from Welovebudapest.
Angele, 16, originally hails from La Palmyre Zoo in France, while the calf’s father, Assam, was born in captivity at Chester Zoo in 2000. Both parents are also Asha’s proud guardians.
Budapest Zoo has a long history with elephants, having cared for them since 1875 and successfully breeding six Asian elephants.
However, visitors must wait a few days to meet the newest family member.
Asian elephants are classified as endangered, and zoos play a significant role in their conservation through breeding programs.