Quirky baby elephant named Kirby takes first steps at Houston Zoo
by KELLY GARINO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM · Mail OnlineA quirky baby elephant's adorable first steps after being born at the Houston Zoo were captured on video.
The female Asian elephant, named Kirby, finally came into the world at around 3pm Friday afternoon in the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat cow barn after 19 hours of labor, weighing a staggering 314-pounds, Houston Chronicle reported.
In the footage, the newborn - with beady eyes and her tongue sticking out - was seen walking around her mother, 34-year-old Shanti, on shaky legs, while moving her miniature trunk around for the very first time.
After Kirby's birth, Shanti - who was under watchful care by the elephant and veterinary teams at the zoo during her 21-month-long pregnancy - became a beloved mother-of-five.
Kirby's father is said to be a 58-year-old Asian elephant named Thailand.
Despite elephants usually spending 20 minutes to an hour learning how to stand on their own four feet before mastering the act, Kirby's incredible health and strength was proven by just how quickly she adapted.
She stood up within six minutes, began walking 25 minutes later and began nursing within an hour and a half of entering the world for the very first time.
Kirby and her mother will now undergo bonding at the facility as Houston Zoo tracks the most important milestones - weight and communication between Shanti and her brand new baby.