All eyes on miracle elephant

Unless you've been hiding under a rock in the mountain-goat's enclosure the last few days, you would have heard about the 'miracle' baby elephant, born to Taronga Zoo inhabitant Porntip early yesterday morning.

The baby Asian elephant, only the third to be born in captivity in Australia, was literally declared dead on Monday, only to be successfully brought into the world-simulating enclosure a couple of days later.

Porntip's newest baby, already infinitely more famous than his healthy predecessor, eight-month-old Luk Chai, has been under very close watch during his first 24 hours of life.

The papers had a field day with the miracle birth. So, for those who haven't heard, here's the latest, and possibly greatest, news for the new bub allegedly dubbed "Mr Shuffles".

“[The calf] appears to have a lot more coordination, has great control of his trunk and is shuffling around much more confidently," Taronga Zoo's senior veterinarian Larry Vogelnest told the media today. "[He] is also very alert, a good sign considering his eventful start to life.”

The 116 kilogram calf, between leg-strengthening massages, is said to be very curious about his mother and herdmates. The other elephants have been extending their trunks to him in reciprocal interest. And it seems the nation has been watching...

Despite cynicism of the calf's media attention, this reporter admittedly struggled with a sizable lump in her throat upon reading about Porntip's ordeal, and especially at the images of the red-eyed, floppy-footed and achingly adorable calf.

And as we all know, where there are tears to be shed, the papers will be there.

The Herald Sun reported that the happy outcome has stumped world elephant reproduction expert Dr Thomas Hildebrandt, of the Berlin Institute for Zoo and Wildlife. Dr Hildebrandt allegedly believes the birth will completely re-write the elephant birth textbooks.

So maybe the baby is a miracle, after all?

I'll admit this much: he and his ma certainly make for a cute photo... gulp...

See the gallery here

Amy Middleton is online editor for Australian Geographic.