An adorable baby elephant played with its mother while she ate lunch at Oregon Zoo.

The three-week-old Asian elephant named Tula-Tu skipping around the legs of her mum Rose-Tu during feeding time in Portland on February 20.

Tula-Tu slumped on the dirt and squeezed between the legs of the parent that tucked into a pile of hay.

The playful baby jumbo then lightly kicked some of the hay and rolled around with it.

The zoo's elephant caretaker, Steve Lefave, said: 'We know everyone has been eager to see Tula, and we appreciate your patience.

'We're taking things slowly to make sure Rose-Tu and her new calf are completely comfortable.'

Tula-Tu was born on February 1 and lives with her mum in the zoo.

Steve added: 'In Borneo, home to the world's rarest elephants, our partnership with the Wildlife Rescue Unit means more rangers are protecting rescued calves.'

Asian elephants are the largest land animals in Asia found in forests and grasslands across India, Southeast Asia, and parts of China.

They help shape habitats and disperse seeds, but their populations have been declining due to habitat loss, conflict with humans, and poaching.

They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and their numbers continue to decrease.