Zoo prepares for baby elephant arrivals

Esha is one of the zoo's pregnant Asian elephants

Blackpool Zoo is preparing to welcome its first elephant births in the Lancashire attraction's history.

The zoo said plans were under way to prepare the enclosure for two new Asian elephants, including "baby proofing the surroundings".

Mother and daughter Noorjahan and Esha are due to give birth later this year.

Zookeepers said they had been preparing for the moment for "more than a decade".

'Incredibly exciting'

Specially selected oak tree trunks have been delivered and placed around the indoor habitat.

The zoo said elephants use them to "exfoliate their skin" and they would be "useful" to push against during labour.

A delivery of 500 tonnes of a sand substrate is on its way so the elephants can give themselves a "pedicure while digging".

It also acts like a "memory foam mattress" when they lie down to sleep.

Section head Adam Kenyon said it was an "incredibly exciting time" and they wanted to ensure they left "no stone unturned" as they prepare for the new arrivals.

Asian elephants have been listed as endangered since 1986 and Mr Kenyon said these babies would be a "massive boost" for breeding programmes.