'Luk Chai', the calf of two Bangkok street elephants

'Luk Chai', the calf of two Bangkok street elephants which arrived from Thailand in 2006, kicks a giant soccer ball during his second birthday celebrations at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on July 4, 2011. The 830kg infant was the first Asian elephant to be born in Australia and is considered to be a milestone in the zoo's Asian Elephant Conservation Program.



Taronga Zoo's elephant calf Luk Chai and keeper Bobby-Joe Clow take a rest from birthday celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Monday, July 4, 2011. Luk Chai, the first elephant ever born at the zoo, celebrated his second birthday on Monday with the rest of the zoo's Thai elephant clan eating fruity ice treats and playing soccer.



Bangkok street elephant 'Thong Dee', who arrived from Thailand in 2006, eats a cardboard box which contained hay during her calf's second birthday celebrations at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on July 4, 2011. The 830kg infant 'Luk Chai' was the first Asian elephant to be born in Australia and is considered to be a milestone in the zoo's Asian Elephant Conservation Program.



Bangkok street elephants 'Thong Dee' (L) and 'Pak Boon' (R), who arrived from Thailand in 2006, look on during birthday celebrations at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on July 4, 2011. The 830kg infant 'Luk Chai' was the first Asian elephant to be born in Australia and is considered to be a milestone in the zoo's Asian Elephant Conservation Program.



'Luk Chai' (L) and sibling 'Pathi Harn' (R), calves from two Bangkok street elephants which arrived from Thailand in 2006, are directed to carry a log by handler Bobby-Jo Clow (C) during Luk Chai's second birthday celebrations at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on July 4, 2011. The 830kg infant was the first Asian elephant to be born in Australia and is considered to be a milestone in the zoo's Asian Elephant Conservation Program.



'Luk Chai' (L) and his mother 'Thong Dee' (R) arrive for Luk Chai's second birthday celebrations at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on July 4, 2011. The 830kg infant was the first Asian elephant to be born in Australia and is considered to be a milestone in the zoo's Asian Elephant Conservation Program.


source: daylife
photo: Gettyimages