A PREGNANT elephant's calf has died, keepers at Colchester Zoo have said today.

A PREGNANT elephant's calf has died, keepers at Colchester Zoo have said today.

Keepers had been keeping a 24 hour watch Zola, the pregnant elephant, in the hope of being on hand to assist her if she went into labour.

But after the 25-year-old's expected due date of the end of February came and went the only hope was that the date of conception was later than originally thought.

By running tests in the zoo has confirmed that the calf has died, the second unsuccessful pregnancy for Zola.

The dead calf should not present a health risk to her but she will be monitored weekly.

Zoological director, Anthony Tropeano said: “We are desperately sad that after such a long wait that we have had to presume that Zola has lost her calf.

“Zola has remained calm and happy throughout her pregnancy and we were all hopeful that this time round there could be a successful outcome for her.”