Round-the-clock care for baby Vic elephant

A newborn elephant that cannot stand because of a rare condition is getting round-the-clock care at Melbourne Zoo after developing an infection.

The Asian elephant calf was born last week with a condition called congenital carpal flexure that prevents her from straightening her wrists and bearing her own weight.

She has since developed an infection caused by gastro-intestinal issues linked to being bottle-fed milk formula.

The calf is being bottle fed as she can't bear her own weight to stand up and suckle her mother.

The zoo's head vet, Michael Lynch, on Monday said her condition is critical and she is receiving antibiotics through an IV drip.

The calf was separated from her mother, Num-Oi, soon after birth so vets could treat her.

Casts were put on her front legs on the advice of equine experts.

While some improvement has been noted in her legs, the calf is still unable to stand on her own.

The condition has not been treated in elephants before, although it's known to affect horses.

It was not detected in Num-Oi's 22-month pregnancy, which was otherwise uncomplicated.