A brave elephant mum at a Kent wildlife park has survived against the odds after giving birth to twins.

Keepers at Howletts, near Canterbury, were overjoyed when Masa the African elephant came out of labour alive last week.

In the wild having twins is rare and often causes the death of both mother and calves.

Masa gave birth last week to a baby boy elephant after a 22-month pregnancy.

Sadly, his twin did not survive.

Animal Director Neil Spooner said: "We are delighted to welcome this new arrival into our successful herd and feel particularly blessed that both Masa and one of the calves survived a potentially fatal birth.

"Twins are incredibly rare so it was certainly a surprise to us all.

"At a few days old the calf is doing really well and will be going into its outside enclosure where the public can see him as soon as the weather improves."

Masa can be adopted for £3 per month atwww.aspinallfoundation.org