WEST Midland Safari Park’s talented footballing elephant Sutton has been getting into the World Cup spirit this week as the tournament kicked off.

Keepers at West Midland Safari Park have provided some World Cup-themed enrichment for the youngest elephant in their care.

Sutton, who recently celebrated his fourth birthday, seemed to relish the opportunity at playing with a giant football ahead of England’s first game in the four-week-long tournament.

The youngster was a natural when it came to kicking the ball, using his trunk and front feet to dribble it around his enclosure, much to the amusement of mum Five, aunt Latabe and his dedicated keepers.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Sutton showed off his great ball skills and even managed to flick the ball over his head!

Head Elephant Keeper Andy Plumb said: “We love giving Sutton new things to play with and he seemed like a natural with his new football.

“Anything colourful and easy to pick up really fascinates young elephants and it was great to see him sweeping the ball around with his trunk.”

He added: “I’ve been working with elephants for many years now and have built up a really strong bond with Latabe, Five and young Sutton.

“It’s lovely to see how close they’ve become as a family and how his mum and aunt keep an eye on his playful antics. He definitely has some ball skills to rival the England squad!”

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Sutton was the first elephant to be born at the Park and was the first elephant born in the UK using frozen semen from a wild bull.

His mum Five and aunt Latabe arrived at the Park 20 years ago and have carefully watched over the cheeky youngster since his birth on May 5 2014.

During the summer, West Midland Safari Park will be hosting a fundraising week dedicated to elephant conservation.

Funds raised during the week will be donated to the Mali Elephant Project, who work to protect a unique population of African elephants from poaching and habitat damage. For further information, people can visit: www.tusk.org/projects/mali-elephant-project/.

The Safari Park’s elephants can be seen on the four-mile drive through and for more information, visit www.wmsp.co.uk or telephone 01299 402114.