Asian elephant Rose-Tu’s new baby is ready to make her public debut at the Oregon Zoo, veterinarians and care staff say. Beginning Friday, Feb. 21, 2-week-old Tula-Tu and the rest of the herd can be seen together inside Forest Hall, the indoor portion of zoo’s award-winning Elephant Lands habitat.

“We know everyone has been eager to see Tula, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation,” said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant area. “We’re taking things slowly to make sure Rose-Tu and her new calf are completely comfortable.”

Forest Hall will be open to zoo guests from around 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with limited capacity and viewing times, Lefave said. Hours are subject to change, and the area may be closed if Rose and her calf need some quiet time to themselves. Tickets should be reserved online in advance via the zoo website.

Since her birth Feb. 1, Tula-Tu has earned national attention, including two appearances on NBC’s Today show, which named her frontrunner for “cutest animal of 2025.” Experts say interest in the baby elephant could spell good news for her wild counterparts. “The more exposure people have,” said University of Michigan professor Stephanie Preston, quoted in a recent Forbes article on Rose-Tu’s calf, “the more likely they are to consider it important to conserve the spaces where the species live.”

Highly endangered in their range countries, Asian elephants are threatened by habitat loss, conflict with humans and disease. It’s estimated that just 40,000 to 50,000 of them remain in fragmented populations from India to Borneo, and their home range overlaps with some of the most populous human areas on the planet — 20% of people worldwide live in or next to Asian elephant habitat.

“Tula isn’t the only tiny elephant we’re caring for,” Lefave noted. “In Borneo, which is home to the world’s smallest and rarest elephants, our partnership with the Wildlife Rescue Unit means more wildlife rangers are working to protect rescued calves and reunite them with their families.”

The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its elephant care program, which has spanned more than 60 years. The zoo supports a broad range of efforts to help wild elephants and has established a $1 million endowment fund supporting Asian elephants, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE program to advance conservation across all 13 Asian elephant range countries. Beyond direct elephant care, the zoo collaborates with local partners in Borneo to create lasting conservation solutions, from replanting forests and establishing protected corridors to fostering peaceful coexistence between elephants and communities.

Source: Oregon Zoo

Scott Tom