The zoo is running a competition to give the new arrival a name, and is seeking suggestions that have significance to the breed that are also of Thai origin.

Submissions can be made at www.taronga.org.au/namedubboelephantcalf.

Zoo director Steve Hinks said the calf would play a vital role in the zoo’s breeding program –  which contributes to the Australasian conservation effort to secure the species’ future – in the years to come, labeling the birth of a female Asian Elephant calf “extremely important”.

Mr Hinks said the calf would “help educate our guests of the plight of Asian Elephants in the wild, a species under threat from poaching, habitat loss and destruction” Mr Hinks said. 

The zoo’s elephant keeper Joel Kerr said the calf had wasted no time in finding her feet in her surroundings.

“She’s very strong and bold,” he said.

“You could see her leading her mum out onto the exhibit, she’s very interesting.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s first elephant calf Sabai, who is 18 months old, was learning to accommodate the youngster.

“[Sabai] is very excited to have a little character to play with,” Mr Kerr said.

“He’s a little bit rough. He’s becoming more familiar now and becoming more respectful of her.”