Baby elephant 'collapses from exhaustion' while tied to its mum carrying tourists

A baby elephant collapsed from exhaustion while tied to its mother who was forced to carry tourists, an onlooker claimed.

Thought to be just one years old, a shocking clip shows the young animal appearing to struggle to walk, with onlookers saying, "Oh no he's tired".

The calf was tied to its mother by a length of rope around its neck.

It fell and rolled to the floor at the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens in eastern Thailand, where temperatures reached a baking 40C.

The concerned tourist who filmed the upsetting scene said the calf appeared to be exhausted from walking alongside its mum in the heat.

She said: "There are many more baby elephants tied with their mother walking around with tourists at their backs enjoying under the heat of the sun while these elephants are suffering.

The calf was chained to its mum who was carrying tourists (Viral Press)

One tourist said the calf appeared to collapse from exhaustion (Viral Press)

"This one baby elephant was so exhausted, and you can see the mother comforting and encouraging her to stand."

"I'm just concerned for the elephants and want to ensure their welfare is properly taken care of."

A spokesman for the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens claimed the animal was not tired or being mistreated, reports the Mail .

They said: "All of the elephants are healthy and treated very well.

"If there is a problem they are treated by vets. All of the babies here are healthy."

Earlier this month, a baby elephant died after he broke his back legs while performing tricks at a Thai zoo.

The calf seeing laying on the floor as it was tied to its mum with a rope around its neck (Viral Press)

Campaign group Moving Animals are urging tourists in Thailand to avoid elephant rides and shows (EPA)

The two-year-old calf, named Dumbo by volunteers from campaign group called Moving Animals, was 'forced to rave' for the tourists.

In a distressing footage that went viral last month, Dumbo was made to kick around a soccer ball, twirl hula-hoops and even balance on podiums.

He suffered the catastrophic injuries when his front legs became stuck in a puddle of mud while performing at Phuket Zoo on April 14.

Amy Jones, co-founder of the campaign group, said: "This is a tragic and horrific end to Dumbo's heartbreakingly-short life.

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

"No animals deserves to repeat Dumbo's tragic story."