Rose-Tu's calf has a name: 'Tula-Tu' brings balance to the herd

Rose-Tu’s baby has a name! The young Asian elephant calf, born at the Oregon Zoo Feb. 1, will henceforth be known as Tula-Tu, a name chosen by care staff to reflect both her individual character and significance to the herd.

“We’ve been giving Rose and her baby plenty of room to bond so it took a while before we were 100% sure she’d had a girl,” said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s elephant area. “Once we’d confirmed it, keepers came up with a name that suits her well and is also fun to say.”

Care staff aren't the only ones having fun with Tula's name. Heidi Rahn, the zoo's director, announced it live on The Today Show on Thursday, Feb. 13. 

Tula means “balance” in Sanskrit, according to Lefave, and aptly describes the harmony and stability this new baby adds to the herd — not to mention her ability to stand on her own within minutes of being born. Keepers added the -Tu suffix in honor of the young elephant’s matrilineal ancestors: her mom, Rose-Tu, and grandmother, Me-Tu.

“Asian elephants live in matrilineal family groups, and each new member is so important — not just to the mom but to everyone in the herd,” Lefave said.

Tula can also mean “weight,” and in addition to confirming the young calf’s sex, keepers got a quick estimate of how much she weighs: around 210 pounds.

“Tula’s nursing well and growing fast,” Lefave said. “Rose has been ‘eating for two’ for quite some time now, and when her baby was born, we increased her diet to support lactation. We’ve added some alfalfa to the menu recently, and she has been loving it.”

It might take a little more time before the elephants are comfortable with visitors, Lefave says, but he hopes folks will be able to see Tula and company in the zoo’s Forest Hall soon.

“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.”

Considered 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 said. “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.

As part of Metro, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo acts globally on behalf of species from pikas to polar bears. Over the past 30 years, it has prevented extinctions, expanded populations, advanced conservation science and formed powerful communities to protect wildlife in the Northwest and around the world.

Babyproofing measures at Elephant Lands were made possible by longtime zoo supporter Penny Knight and others through the Oregon Zoo Foundation, which supports the zoo’s efforts in advancing animal well-being, species recovery and conservation education. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world. To contribute, go to oregonzoo.org/give.