Endangered Baby Elephant Roams With the Herd Just Hours After Being Born

The male calf, who has not yet been named, became the second latest addition to the Asian elephant family within a month.

Meet the newest, and spunkiest, member of the Asian elephant herd.

Read: Trunkloads of Fun: 2-Month-Old Baby Elephant Finds Happiness In a Kiddie Pool

The male calf, which has not yet been named, was born late Tuesday night at the Chester Zoo in England, and has become the second baby born to the Asian elephant family within a month.

Already, he's keeping up with the big guys. The calf can be seen in footage provided by the Chester Zoo dashing alongside the adult elephants, and greeting the other baby elephant, Indali, in the herd — just hours after being born.

"It's great for each of them to have a playmate," said Andy McKenzie, the manager of elephants. "Elephants are hugely sociable animals, so this is an incredible boost to the group."

Read: Caretaker Serenades Elephant to Sleep With Traditional Lullaby

McKenzie continued to explain that because Asian elephants are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and human activity, the zoo hopes the newborn's birth will raise awareness to the species, as well as add to the population.

Watch: Elephants, Otters, and Other Sea Animals Enjoy Snow Day as Zoo Closes Due to Weather

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