Thai monks can be seen splashing water on the elephants at the blessing of Mali the baby female elephant in Melbourne Zoo on Thursday (February 25) in Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne Zoo’s popular new baby elephant has been given a name, Mali. The newborn elephant received its name after a contest was held with more then 34 000 people casting vots.

Mali, a Thai word for Jasmine, was a clear winner.

“It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful calf,” says zoo keeper Dan Maloney. “She’s growing very quickly, getting more coordinated every day and certainly exploring her world and getting to know her surroundings.”

She was blessed at the Melbourne Zoo by Thai Monks with a chant followed by the flicking of water onto the elephants.

Born in January and already weighing 167 kilograms, Mali keeps very close to her mother, Dokkoon, like most young infants.