PORTLAND, Ore. — Tula-Tu, the Asian elephant calf born Feb. 1 at the Oregon Zoo, is delighting keepers and guests alike as she enjoys playful moments with her aunties at Elephant Lands.

The zoo shared a video of the young calf exploring, playing, and bonding with other members of her matrilineal herd. Tula-Tu was named by care staff to reflect both her individual character and family heritage. “Tula” means “balance” in Sanskrit, and the "-Tu" honors her mother, Rose-Tu, and grandmother, Me-Tu.

“We’ve been giving Rose and her baby plenty of room to bond,” said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant area, in an article published by the Oregon Zoo. “Each new member is so important — not just to the mom but to everyone in the herd.”

Tula-Tu is nursing well, growing fast, and learning how to climb, play, and engage with her elephant family. Her presence adds to the zoo’s long-standing commitment to elephant care, a program recognized globally for advancing animal welfare and conservation.

Asian elephants are considered highly endangered due to habitat loss, human conflict, and disease. The Oregon Zoo supports field efforts across 13 range countries and continues to play a key role in international elephant conservation.

Source: Oregon Zoo