A birthday party has been held for a wild baby elephant that was rescued by conservationists in Vietnam’s Central Highlands one year ago.

The one-year anniversary of the rescue of Gold the baby elephant was celebrated on Tuesday at the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center, in the Central Highlands province of the same name.

Gold is the baby male elephant that was saved by local conservationists last year after being trapped in a muddy well dug by farmers to supply water to their plantations.

According to Huynh Trung Luan, director of the conservation center, the young animal now weighs 250 kilograms, about 150 kilograms heavier than when it was rescued twelve months ago.

Gold still drinks milk as his main source of nutrition, but is now also able to consume soft foods as well, Luan continued.

Given that the elephant was born in the wild, his date of birth is unknown, however experts and volunteers at the center have agreed that his new birthday would be the date he was delivered to safety by workers at the facility.

The ‘birthday party’ began at 9:00 am, with the participation of all members of the conservation center.

Gold was given a proper shower before attending the special event. He was dressed in a laurel wreath made by his caretakers and gifted a variety of his favorite food.

Members of the center took the opportunity to snap some great photos with their favourite baby elephant.

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