‘We couldn’t be happier’: Oregon Zoo elephant Rose-Tu gives birth

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - An Asian elephant in the Oregon Zoo gave birth to a baby over the weekend, zoo officials said.

On Monday, the zoo said 30-year-old Rose-Tu gave birth around 4:30 p.m. Saturday after being pregnant for more than 20 months.

The zoo said the calf appears to be a healthy female, weighing about 200 pounds.

“We couldn’t be happier with how everything is going so far,” Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant program, said. “This was one of the smoothest births I’ve ever seen. Rose knew just what to do. She helped her baby up right away. The kid was standing on her own within 15 minutes and took her first steps soon after that.”

The zoo said staff have yet to conduct their first check-up, but once Rose-Tu and her calf are ready, they will weigh the baby and confirm its sex.

“Rose is a fantastic mom,” Lefave said. “She’s so gentle and protective, and the calf is already nursing well. These are signs that they will have a strong bond, which is exactly what we want to see. We’re ready to help if needed, but so far mom and baby are doing just fine on their own.”

It might take a little time before the new baby is ready for visitors, Lefave said, but once they’re feeling comfortable they’ll spend time in Forest Hall.

“We want to make sure the calf continues to do well and that Rose-Tu is calm and comfortable with people around,” Lefave said. “And we also want to give the baby a chance to bond with the rest of the elephant family.”

This is Rose-Tu’s third calf. Her first calf, Samudra, turned 16 in August 2024 and still lives at the Oregon Zoo. Sadly, her second calf, Lily, died at age six from a virus in 2018.

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