Oregon Zoo Welcomes Healthy Elephant Calf Amid Joy and Caution
In an uplifting event for the Oregon Zoo, a 200-pound female elephant calf has been born, marking a joyous milestone for the facility. Zoo staff are allowing the mother, Rose-Tu, and her calf precious bonding time before conducting a thorough checkup to confirm the newborn’s weight and sex. Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant program, expressed immense satisfaction with the birthing process, stating, "This was one of the smoothest births I’ve ever seen."
Rose-Tu instinctively assisted her newborn immediately after delivery, with the calf standing on its own just 15 minutes later and taking its first steps shortly thereafter. Kelsey Wallace from the zoo’s communications team confirmed that both mother and calf are thriving, with the calf nursing regularly.
This calf is Rose-Tu’s third offspring; her first, Samudra, is now 16 years old and resides in the zoo, while her second calf, Lily, tragically passed away from a virus in 2018. As both Rose-Tu and her calf continue to adjust, zoo staff are cautious about when to introduce them to visitors, aiming to ensure both the calf’s health and Rose-Tu’s comfort around people.
"Rose is a fantastic mum," Lefave noted, praising her gentle and protective nature. He emphasized the strong bond developing between mother and daughter as a positive sign for their future.
The Oregon Zoo plays a crucial role in elephant care and conservation efforts, having been dedicated to these initiatives for over 60 years. As the zoo celebrates this new arrival, it remains committed to supporting wild elephant populations as well.
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