Elephant brothers filmed cuddling as they sleep at Sydney Zoo [Video]

This is the adorable moment two elephants cuddle up together as they settle down to sleep.

Kavi, a two-tonne Asian bull, is seen plonking himself down onto Ashoka and shuffling about to create the perfect spooning position.

The clip was released keepers at Sydney Zoo to celebrate National Hug Day in Australia, which is this Friday.

The footage shows Ashoka already lying down in his cosy barn as seven-year-old Kavi enters and looks to make himself comfortable.

He heads straight over to Ashoka before dropping down on his side and pushing himself up against him in a show of affection.

Ashoka then lifts his front leg and places it over the top of his resident brother to allow Kavi to get in closer.

‘Humans aren’t the only ones that hug,’ said Jo Maitland, an elephant keeper at Sydney Zoo.

‘Elephants are a social species that thrive from relationships they have with one another.

The footage shows Ashoka already lying down in his cosy barn as seven-year-old Kavi enters and looks to make himself comfortable

‘Sleeping in close proximity is a natural display of affection and a way elephants’ bond with each other.

‘Seeing animals share such a special bond is one the biggest privileges of being a zookeeper.’

Kavi and Ashoka arrived at Sydney Zoo in late 2020 to a brand new facility as part of the Asian Elephant breeding program.

The pair, who were moved from Dublin Zoo in Ireland, are said to be half-brothers.

He heads straight over to his sibling before dropping down on his side and pushing himself up against Ashoka in a show of affection. Ashoka then lifts his front leg and places it over the top of his brother to allow Kavi to get in closer

Kavi and Ashoka (centre and right, next to female elephant Saigon) arrived at Sydney Zoo in late 2020 to a brand new facility as part of the Asian Elephant breeding program

Keepers from the zoo say when the pair, who are around a year apart in age, are not sleeping peacefully together they are busy being ‘typical young boys, playing, swimming and sparring’.

Asian Elephants can be found across South East Asia, and there are fewer than 50,000 remaining in the wild with their population rapidly decreasing, according to the zoo.

A spokesperson said: ‘Moves across the globe like this are essential to enhance global genetic diversity and provide an insurance population for endangered Asian Elephants.

‘Kavi and Ashoka will act as advocates for the conservation of their species.’