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Our Elephant Herd Has Another Tiny Trunk
The Fort Worth Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy, 36-inch-tall, 250-pound female Asian elephant calf, born at 3:36 a.m. on Aug. 18, 2025.
This bundle of joy was born to mom, Bluebonnet, who was the first elephant calf born in the history of the Zoo in 1998. The calf’s father is Romeo, making this calf a full sibling to almost 4-year-old brother, Brazos. Mimicking herd dynamics in the wild, the newest calf joins a four-generation family of Fort Worth elephants, making our matriarch Rasha one of only a few great grandmother Asian elephants in North America.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo
The calf was standing within six minutes of birth, nursing within two hours and maneuvering her trunk well almost immediately, all indications of a healthy baby elephant. Bluebonnet, now 26 years old, was carefully monitored throughout her pregnancy. As part of her prenatal care, she had weekly blood tests to monitor progesterone levels, regular physical examinations and sonograms. Veterinary staff and animal staff were on-site to ensure a healthy birth.
Both mother and baby have been quietly bonding behind the scenes since the calf’s birth in August. This early bonding is crucial for the calf’s healthy development and the mother-baby bond. During this time, it has also been important for her to become familiar with her surroundings before making a public debut. This includes learning to swim and spending time around other members of the herd. After successful introductions, the Zoo is thrilled to announce that the little one is now on-habitat in Elephant Springs for all to see, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
Mom Bluebonnet and baby
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo
In 1998, the Fort Worth Zoo welcomed its first Asian elephant calf, Bluebonnet, and established the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), a global organization dedicated to elephant conservation, solidifying the Zoo’s commitment to the care and conservation of Asian elephants. Elephant Springs, the state-of-the-art Asian elephant habitat, which opened in 2021, was designed to support a growing herd with features like multiple green spaces, a variety of substrates, a multitude of watering holes and a spacious barn. Following a total of six successful elephant calf births and continued involvement in IEF, the Zoo remains an international leader in elephant breeding and conservation.
“Asian elephants are endangered, with an estimated less than 40,000 individuals remaining in the wild, compared to hundreds of thousands of their African counterparts,” said Ramona Bass, chairman of the Fort Worth Zoo Board of Directors. “Recognizing that both species face growing threats and declining populations, we have been specifically committed to the conservation of Asian elephants since 1998, through our dedicated breeding program here in Fort Worth, while contributing to global efforts to protect elephants in the wild through IEF.”
Baby’s First Swim
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo
Help Us Name the Little One!
As is tradition with elephant births at the Fort Worth Zoo, all calves are given a Texas-themed name. The calf’s mother Bluebonnet was the first elephant born in Fort Worth Zoo history in 1998 and to celebrate our first Texas-sized baby, she was named after the official state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet. This baby is Bluebonnet’s third calf and first female, so as a nod to Mom, Texas flower-themed names have been chosen as potential monikers for the newest member of the herd.
- Lady Bird (“Birdie”): Named after Lady Bird Johnson, the beloved First Lady from Texas who was known for her love of nature and wildflowers. She understood the critical need of native plant life and their importance to our ecosystems. She was the driving force behind beautifying our Texas highways, planting wildflowers (like bluebonnets) along the roadways to make a lasting contribution. Lady Bird Johnson’s legacy quite literally blooms across Texas – where else can you see rainbows laid across the ground?
- Yellow Rose (“Rosie”): Her name comes from a famous Texas song and legend about the “Yellow Rose of Texas.” The song and story trace back to the 1830s when, according to legend, a woman named Emily West became part of Texas folklore as her presence helped turn the tide at the Battle of San Jacinto, paving the way for Texas’ independence.
- Black-eyed Susan (“Susie”): Named after the Texas-native wildflower that brightens fields with its golden petals and is known to attract pollinators. Hardy and full of sunshine, black-eyed Susans are a symbol of encouragement and joy.
Voting will take place now through Monday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. on the Fort Worth Zoo’s website (https://www.fortworthzoo.org/naming-contest). The winning name will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, on the Zoo’s website and social media pages.
