26 June 2026
As temperatures soared this week, Whipsnade Zoo's tiny three-week-old endangered Asian elephant calf has been learning from his herd the best way to keep cool.
Photos taken by Whipsnade Zoo member Chris Ballard show the pint-sized pachyderm being bathed in dust by mum Donna - an elephant's way to beat the heat. 'Dust bathing' provides a natural suncream to protect an elephant's skin from the sun's rays and helps to regulate body temperature – as well as being a family bonding activity.
The newest addition to the herd proved himself to be a quick learner and was seen kicking up the dust himself, and while not quite as deft as mum yet, his self-applied sandy headband demonstrates how elephants work together to share knowledge, skills and in this case, even hot-weather hacks.
7 ways animals keep their cool in the sunshine
Help us name the new arrival
We're asking elephant lovers to help name the calf, who was born on 8 June, by donating to enter a prize draw. The winner will get the opportunity to pick his name from a shortlist, join Whipsnade’s expert elephant keepers for a morning caring for the herd, and enjoy an overnight stay in the lodges at the UK’s largest zoo.
Elephant conservation at Whipsnade Zoo
Our multigenerational herd, and our exciting new arrival, are a reminder that everything we do at Whipsnade is connected to the work of our global colleagues, working in Thailand, Nepal and Cameroon to protect elephants.
Asian elephants are currently classified as Endangered, with populations declining by at least 50% over the past three generations (IUCN Red List, 2020). By studying elephant behaviour, health and reproduction in a carefully managed setting, we gather valuable data that helps inform conservation strategies in the wild.