The Oregon Zoo in Portland has recently welcomed a delightful addition in the form of a baby elephant. Rose-Tu, a thirty-year-old Asian elephant, gave birth after a 20-month pregnancy, as announced in a news release by the zoo. The calf, believed to be a 200-pound female, is currently bonding with its mother before the staff conduct the first checkup to confirm its weight and sex.
Steve Lefave, who manages the zoo’s elephant program, expressed great satisfaction with the birthing process, describing it as one of the smoothest he had ever witnessed. He praised Rose-Tu’s instinctive care for her newborn, noting that the baby was able to stand on its own within just 15 minutes and took its first steps shortly after. Both Rose-Tu and her new calf, who is feeding regularly, are reported to be in good health by Kelsey Wallace from the zoo’s communications team.
This newborn is Rose-Tu’s third offspring, with her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also residing at the zoo. Tragically, her second calf, Lily, succumbed to a virus in 2018 before reaching the age of 6.
It may be some time before the public can visit the new baby and Rose-Tu, as the zoo staff prioritize ensuring the calf’s continued well-being and Rose-Tu’s comfort around people. Lefave praised Rose-Tu’s nurturing nature and the strong bond already forming between mother and calf. The zoo is prepared to offer assistance if required, but at present, both Rose-Tu and her baby are thriving independently.
The Oregon Zoo has a longstanding commitment to conservation efforts for wild elephants, with its elephant care program spanning over six decades, as stated in their announcement.
