The Indianapolis Zoo has a new baby elephant. Zoo officials say the female calf was born late Thursday and weighed 244 pounds.
The calf was conceived through artificial insemination and is the third born to an African elephant named Ivory. It joins a herd of seven other African elephants.
The calf is the second born at the zoo since July 20, 2011.
Zoo President and CEO Michael Crowther says the birth comes at a time when African elephants in the wild are under pressure from poachers. He says he hopes the calf's birth will encourage people to get involved in elephant conservation programs.
Staff at the zoo will select several names as finalists and then put them to a vote on its Facebook site.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Check out the Indianapolis Zoo's official baby announcement!
