An elephant calf born with a congenital condition that affected its ability to suckle from its mother has died at Melbourne Zoo.

Willow did not reliably bottle feed and was dependent on intravenous drips for both fluid and nutrition.

Vets worked around the clock to help Willow, with assistance from staff from across the zoo’s departments.

The calf’s carpal flexion was resolved after four weeks of treatment supervised by Dr Liz Walmsley, from the zoo’s equine centre.

However, head vet Dr Michael Lynch said the calf also contracted a blood infection, which was difficult to control with antibiotics.

“While she showed a good response to antibiotic therapy in her general demeanour, the infection unfortunately localised in her chest and limb bones,” he said.

“It became evident yesterday that the infection in her bones had progressed to a point where lasting damage had occurred.”

Zoo director Kevin Tanner said staff were grieving the sad loss.

“Our team could not have done more for Willow to keep her comfortable while making every possible effort to pull her through.”

Willow died on Monday evening at Melbourne Zoo’s Elephant Barn.

Willow’s mother Num-Oi was given the chance to grieve the calf, the zoo said in a statement.