The Oregon Zoo is celebrating a significant milestone in the life of its youngest Asian elephant, Tula-Tu, who is now halfway to one year old. Born on February 1 to mother Rose-Tu, Tula-Tu has captured the hearts of many and is seen as a beacon of hope for her endangered species.
In just six months, this playful pachyderm has made waves not only at the zoo but also globally. She has already made two appearances on NBC’s Today show, where she was dubbed a frontrunner for the title of ‘cutest animal of 2025.’ Additionally, she was honored to serve as the grand marshal of the Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade, a celebration that brought her charm and personality to an even wider audience.
Alaska Airlines joined the festivities with a float that creatively mirrored Tula’s joyful spirit, emphasizing the connections between wildlife and the community. Zoo director Heidi Rahn expressed the significance of Tula-Tu’s role, noting that she has become a symbol of hope and connection for both the zoo and the surrounding region. Rahn stated, “Having her recognized in the Grand Floral Parade was a joyful nod to the importance of conservation and coming together for wildlife.”
Experts suggest that the growing interest in Tula-Tu is beneficial for wild elephants. Stephanie Preston, a professor at the University of Michigan, emphasized in a Forbes article that greater exposure to elephants may lead people to prioritize conservation efforts for their natural habitats.
In terms of growth and development, Tula-Tu is thriving. According to Steve Lefave, who oversees the elephant area at the zoo, she currently weighs nearly 650 pounds, which is three times her birth weight. Tula-Tu has also begun to explore her surroundings more confidently, including taking dips in the large pool at Elephant Lands.
“Tula’s hitting all the important developmental milestones,” Lefave reported. “She’s still nursing but also starting to explore solid foods like bamboo leaves and alfalfa. Her taste buds are developing so we have yet to discover her favorite treats. Texture and food that is fun to play with seem to interest her the most right now.”
Asian elephants are highly endangered, facing threats such as habitat loss, human conflict, and disease. Current estimates suggest that only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain in fragmented populations, a situation exacerbated by overlapping habitats with human populations—20% of the world’s population lives near these elephants’ homes.
Lefave pointed out that Tula-Tu is not the only young elephant the zoo is handling. In Borneo, home to some of the smallest and rarest elephant species, the Oregon Zoo is partnering with the Wildlife Rescue Unit to protect rescued calves and promote their reunification with families.
The Oregon Zoo has a renowned elephant care program that has been active for over 60 years. The zoo has also established a $1 million endowment fund dedicated to the conservation of Asian elephants, contributing to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE program to support conservation across all 13 of the species’ range countries. Furthermore, the zoo collaborates with local partners in Borneo to implement sustainable conservation measures, which include replanting forests and creating protected corridors, while also fostering peaceful interactions between elephants and local communities.
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