A BABY elephant in Thailand has died after its back legs SNAPPED after performing tricks for tourists at a zoo.

Last month, sickening footage of a distressed baby elephant being "forced to rave" for the amusements of tourists went viral.

9 'Dumbo' the baby elephant has died after the animal was 'forced to rave' and perform for tourists at a Thailand zoo Credit: Moving Animals

The "skeletal" calf in the video was growing weaker every day as it was forced to dance and perform tricks - until April 13, when the animal's two back legs snapped.

The baby elephant's legs were broken for three days before he was taken to hospital to be treated, and he died just one week later on April 20.

Campaign group Moving Animals, who filmed the video that went viral, named the baby elephant "Dumbo" when it started a petition to have him released.

A TRAGIC AND HORRIFIC END

The petition garnered over 200,000 signatures in just one week, with many people outraged that the animal could be made to perform in such poor health.

Amy Jones, co-founder of Moving Animals, said: “This is a tragic and horrific end to Dumbo’s heartbreakingly-short life.”

“His skeletal body clearly suggested that he was unwell and could be suffering from malnourishment and exhaustion.

"And yet the zoo did nothing until receiving international criticism.

"Under their care, this baby elephant broke both of his back legs, and the zoo did not even realise for three days.

"Under their care, this baby elephant broke both of his back legs, and the zoo did not even realise for three days.

"I can’t bring myself to imagine Dumbo’s suffering during this time.”

“For Dumbo to die whilst under the so-called 'care' and 'treatment' of the zoo shows just how neglected these animals are in captivity.”

The baby elephant broke its back legs when its front legs became stuck in a puddle of mud.

He was attempting to hold himself up with just his back legs on dry ground, but both legs were so weak that they snapped.

Phuket Zoo, which housed the animal, is free to "acquire" another baby elephant if they choose to do so.

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"Dumbo" was obviously ill in the footage that went viral last month.

After he was hospitalised, a vet revealed that he had had an infection in his digestive tract for months.

He told local newspapers: “He had an infection that resulted in constant diarrhoea, which caused other health complications, including the fact that his body was not absorbing nutrients as it should, which made him very weak."

Moving Animals are urging tourists never to pay to see animals in captivity.

Jones said: "No animal deserves to repeat Dumbo's tragic story."

9 The baby elephant, pictured right, went viral last month after its performance was filmed by activist group Moving Animals Credit: Moving Animals

9 The 'skeletal' elephant was photographed sucking its own truck, a clear sign of distress Credit: Moving Animals

9 Bones can clearly be seen through the elephant's skin - he was unwell for months before being admitted to hospital for treatment Credit: Moving Animals

9 The baby elephant was kept chained up in the zoo when not performing for tourists Credit: Moving Animals

9 Phuket Zoo continued to force the animal to perform, even though it was clearly unwell Credit: Moving Animals

9 Activist group Moving Animals is calling for tourists not to visit performing animals like Dumbo while on holiday Credit: Moving Animals

9 The elephant, pictured here at Phuket Zoo, died one week after both of his back legs snapped Credit: Moving Animals