Tula-Tu's First Year

This little elephant has accomplished big things in her first year of life!

Tula-Tu's first month: Feb. 2025

Tula-Tu was born on Feb. 1, 2025, weighing in at 210 pounds. Within 15 minutes of her birth, she was already taking her first steps. Her arrival was reported nationally, including on Forbes.

Four days later on Feb. 5, Tula met her aunt Sung-Surin. Trumpeting could be heard throughout Elephant Lands. The three elephants greeted each other, touched trunks, and shared a snack — hay for Rose-Tu and Shine, with a side of milk for the new calf.

"Asian elephants live in family groups, and each new member is so important — not just to the mom but to everyone in the herd," said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo's elephant program. "Shine will be an auntie and mentor to this baby, so it's wonderful to see them bonding already."

On Feb. 13, it was publicly announced on NBC's Today show that her name would be Tula-Tu, meaning balance in Sanskrit. The -Tu suffix is in honor of her matrilineal ancestors: her mom, Rose-Tu, and her grandmother, Me-Tu. Along with the name announcement, the Today show declared Tula-Tu as a frontrunner for "cutest animal of 2025."

On Feb. 21, Tula-Tu made her public debut at two weeks old in Forest Hall.

Just 27 days after birth, Tula-Tu was ready for her first outdoor adventure.

"We waited until it was warm and dry enough for a calf Tula's age to play outside," said Lefave. "Once the forecast was above 60 degrees, we opened the doors to the yard, and she trotted right out after her mom."

May 2025

In May of 2025, Tula-Tu received one of Portland's highest honors: she was named as Grand Marshal of the Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade. The 500-pound pachyderm was brought to life by Alaska Airlines who designed an imaginative float inspired by the young elephant's playfulness and charm.

Alaska Airlines Tula-Tu Grand Floral Parade Float

Summer 2025

In the summer months, Tula-Tu began developing a love for all things water — splashing around in puddles and even venturing into the large elephant pool with her mom and aunties. With swim lessons from her herd, Tula-Tu quickly became comfortable in the water and a skilled swimmer.

Tula-Tu also continued to impress with her fancy footwork, kicking enrichment balls and watermelons around like soccer balls.

August 2025

Before we knew it, Tula-Tu was six months old! Tula-Tu tipped the scales at nearly 650 pounds - about three times her birth weight.

"Tula's hitting all the important developmental milestones," Lefave said. She's still nursing but also starting to explore solid foods like bamboo leaves and alfalfa. Texture and food that is fun to play with seems to interest her the most right now."