In the hush of a winter morning at the Oregon Zoo,

Opening In the hush of a winter morning at the Oregon Zoo, a gentle giant embarks on her very first year. Like the slow unfurling of dawn light, baby elephant Tula‑Tu has grown from fragile newborn to curious young calf, carrying with her not just weight and stature, but the hopes of an endangered species and smiling faces of visitors worldwide. Her story is not one of urgency or alarm, but of wonder — a quiet testament to life, care, and the bonds that draw humans close to the animal world.

Article Body On Sunday, Asian elephant calf Tula‑Tu marked her first trip around the sun with a celebration befitting her gentle spirit. Born on Feb. 1, 2025 to her mother Rose‑Tu — herself a long‑time resident of the Oregon Zoo — Tula‑Tu weighed roughly 210 pounds at birth. Today, she tips the scales at nearly 1,000 pounds, a testament to her steady growth and healthy development.

Keepers describe her as spirited and spiritedly playful, mastering trunk control and herd navigation with the determined curiosity of a toddler discovering the world. While she still nurses, her diet now includes solid treats like fruit and alfalfa — though, as her caretakers note with a laugh, some of her favorite “meals” are the toys she enjoys tossing around her exhibit.

Sunday’s celebration drew crowds to Elephant Lands, where guests joined in music, photos, decorations, and cheerful festivities. Steve Lefave, curator of the zoo’s elephant program, reflected on Tula‑Tu’s first year as a blend of charm and promise, noting that she has become an emblem not just for the zoo but for broader conservation awareness.

Her birth last year captured global attention, including national television appearances and a role as honorary grand marshal at regional celebrations. Such moments have endeared her to audiences far beyond Portland, inspiring conversations about the future of Asian elephants — a species facing steep decline in their native habitats due to human conflict, habitat loss, and disease.

Closing Tula‑Tu’s first birthday is more than a cheerful milestone; it is a gentle reminder of life’s resilience and the delicate balance between human care and wild freedom. As she grows, so too does the community’s hope — that through connection and understanding, future generations might witness these magnificent creatures not just in exhibits but roaming freely in the world they were born to know.

AI Image Disclaimer “Illustrations were produced with AI and serve as conceptual depictions.”

Sources (before writing): OPB, KPTV, KATU, KLCC, Oregon Zoo official news.