Melbourne Zoo's Asian elephant Dokkoon has finally delivered her calf - a female - the first baby elephant born in the zoo's 147-year history.

After weeks of round the clock monitoring, and enormous anticipation, Dokkoon became the first elephant in Australia to give birth to a female calf and also to deliver a baby conceived by artificial insemination. Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner said the calf was alert and active when it was born at 1.10am (AEDT) on Saturday.



Zoo keeper Tully Johns with the newborn calf.

Melbourne Zoo director Kevin Tanner said the calf was alert and active.

"While we are all thrilled with the safe arrival, there has been no time for celebrations," Mr Tanner said.