Nestled with mother, vets and keepers, 'little fighter' Willow loses her battle

By Craig Butt, Daniella Miletic
Updated August 28 2016 - 10:09pm, first published August 2 2016 - 4:46pm
Willow lost her six-week battle on Tuesday.
Willow lost her six-week battle on Tuesday.
Melbourne Zoo's head vet Dr Michael Lynch shows Willow's problem.  Photo: Paul Jeffers
Melbourne Zoo's head vet Dr Michael Lynch shows Willow's problem. Photo: Paul Jeffers
Elephant keepers had been waiting for Num-Oi to give birth for a while. Photo: Justin McManus
Elephant keepers had been waiting for Num-Oi to give birth for a while. Photo: Justin McManus
Melbourne Zoo released this ultrasound picture when it announced that Num-Oi was pregnant in November 2014. Photo: Wayne Taylor
Melbourne Zoo released this ultrasound picture when it announced that Num-Oi was pregnant in November 2014. Photo: Wayne Taylor
Willow's mother Num-Oi, seen here with another of the zoo's baby elephants, Mali. Photo: Wayne Taylor
Willow's mother Num-Oi, seen here with another of the zoo's baby elephants, Mali. Photo: Wayne Taylor
Willow's mother Num-Oi was obviously very sad, zoo keepers said.  Photo: Justin McManus
Willow's mother Num-Oi was obviously very sad, zoo keepers said. Photo: Justin McManus

Melbourne Zoo's elephant calf Willow had endured a lot of pain and had gained a reputation as a fighter in her short life, but it was only on Monday that her keepers realised the "sweet, adorable little thing" was not going to make it.

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