The names of the new Asian elephant calves at Dublin Zoo have been announced. Kavi and Ashoka were born in July and August.

Their names were chosen following a nationwide competition.

Kavi was born in July at an estimated 1.2 metres tall and weighing some 80 kilogrammes - equivalent to the weight of an adult human.

Kavi was the third calf for mum, Yasmin and was hailed as a significant success for Dublin Zoo as part of the international breeding programme established to assist the survival of the Asian elephant.

While Ashoka, of first-time mum Anak, weighed in at a whopping 70 kilos or 11 stone when he was born last month.

It is estimated that only 30,000 to 60,000 of these animals exist in the wild, with the largest population found in India.

Zookeeper Gerry Creighton is the operations manager at Dublin Zoo.