Another Baby Elephant is Born at Houston Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: March 12, 2021 5:20 pm

An Asian elephant calf was born at the Houston Zoo on March 10th to mother Tupelo

Photo Credit: Jackelin Reyna/Houston Zoo

Less than a year after they welcomed their last Asian elephant calf, Nelson Houston Zoo in the USA have welcomed another elephant calf. On March 10th a little after 11am, 10 year-old Tupelo gave birth to a female calf.

The calf has yet to be named but once it is, the name will be announced on their social media channel. Soon after the birth the calf began to nurse.

An Asian elephant calf was born at the Houston Zoo on March 10th to mother Tupelo

Photo Credit: Jackelin Reyna/Houston Zoo

“Our animal team is thrilled that the birth has gone smoothly,” said Lisa Marie Avendano, vice president of animal operations at the Houston Zoo.

“We look forward to continuing to watch Tupelo and her baby bond and introducing her to Houston.”

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Tupelo gave birth at the Houston Zoo’s McNair Asian Elephant habitat barn under the watchful eye of keepers and vet staff. Over the next few days the mother and baby will undergo post-natal exams and be given a chance to bond before they can join the herd.

During the bonding time the mother and daughter will be monitored to ensure key achievements such as nursing and hitting weight goals are met.

An Asian elephant calf was born at the Houston Zoo on March 10th to mother Tupelo

Photo Credit: Jackelin Reyna/Houston Zoo

Tupelo is a first time mom and her calf was born through artificial insemination. She is related to all the other males housed at Houston meaning this was required.

The birth of this calf brings the herd to 12 members – five male and seven females.

Houston Zoo support the conservation of elephants in Asia with a portion of each entry supporting this. One of the projects they support is providing equipment and training for local researchers to track elephants in Asia.