A rare calf with two heads and eight legs has died shortly after being born.
Veterinarians were called after the buffalo went into labour and reportedly spent around four to five hours assisting with the delivery.
But when the calf was finally brought out, the vets were stunned to discover it had two conjoined heads and eight legs.
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News of the bizarre birth quickly spread through the area, with large numbers of curious locals gathering at the ashram to see the newborn.
The unusual birth took place at an Ayurvedic hospital and ashram in Erukalapudi, in Tenali mandal, Guntur district, in southern India.
The calf reportedly died shortly after being born, while the mother remained healthy, as reported by Need To Know.
Veterinary officials said such births are extremely rare and can occur as a result of abnormalities during the development of the foetus in the womb.
The unusual calf became a talking point in Erukalapudi, with people from surrounding areas also arriving to see it.
Two-headed animals can occur when an embryo does not completely separate during early development, resulting in conjoined twins with duplicated body parts.
Such animals often die shortly after birth because severe developmental abnormalities can affect vital organs and the brain, while malformed or duplicated body structures can make breathing, feeding and circulation difficult.
In cases of conjoined twins, the animals may also share vital organs or have organs that are too underdeveloped to sustain life.
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