Latest news with #Rose-Tu
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local activists urge Oregon Zoo to transfer newborn elephant, mother to sanctuary
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — While some are visiting the Oregon Zoo in droves to get a glimpse of new baby elephant Tula-Tu, others showed up advocating for her freedom. Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants (FOZE), a local activist group formed in 2008, recently launched a campaign to transfer the newborn elephant and her mother Rose-Tu from the zoo to an established sanctuary they claim 'has offered its space.' Tula-Tu is Rose-Tu's third baby. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also lives at the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, passed away from a virus in 2018, just before she turned 6 years old. Mercy Corps warns of 'devastating consequences' after Trump cuts 41 programs The zoo's vet said there's now a special lab at Oregon State University that's developing an experimental vaccine to help them treat elephant disease. But the group said Lily's death – followed by the euthanizing of pack members Tusko, Rama and Packy soon after – brings them concern about the zoo breeding too quickly 'under the guise of conservation,' when they claim the elephants are dying of preventable diseases. FOZE members stood outside the zoo's entrance Saturday morning, holding up signs saying 'Elephants suffer in zoos' and 'Free the Oregon Zoo elephants.' 'They have a new baby here and everyone's very excited about her and I can understand – she's adorable,' said FOZE member Courtney Scott. 'But she's going to grow up and be an elephant and suffer and die just like all the other elephants, like Packy did.' 'Hard decisions': Portland city administrator unveils proposed budget amid $93 million shortfall She continued, 'We're encouraging this zoo, like 38 zoos have already done, to close their elephant exhibit.' FOZE said they have also submitted a formal petition to the Metro Council. Asian elephants reside in India and Borneo, but they're highly endangered. There are only about 40,000-50,000 still in existence and much of their habitat overlaps with some of the most human populated regions on earth. KOIN 6 News has reached out to the Oregon Zoo for comment but has not responded at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
04-02-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Asian elephant Rose-Tu gives birth to 200lb calf at Oregon zoo
The Oregon zoo in Portland has welcomed its newest addition, a baby elephant. Thirty-year-old Asian elephant Rose-Tu gave birth on Saturday after 20 months of pregnancy, the zoo said in a news release. The calf appeared to be a 200lb (90kg) female, but zoo staff are giving the pair time to bond before conducting a first checkup to confirm weight and sex. 'We couldn't be happier with how everything is going so far,' Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo's elephant program, said in the release. 'This was one of the smoothest births I've ever seen. Rose knew just what to do. She helped her baby up right away. The kid was standing on her own within 15 minutes and took her first steps soon after that.' Rose-Tu and her baby, who is nursing regularly, are doing well, Kelsey Wallace from the zoo's communications team said on Tuesday. The calf is Rose-Tu's third baby. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also lives at the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, died from a virus in 2018, just before she turned six years old. It might be a while before the new baby and Rose-Tu are ready for visitors. Staff want to make sure the calf continues to do well, and that Rose-Tu is calm and comfortable with people around, Lefave said. 'Rose is a fantastic mom,' he said. 'She's so gentle and protective, and the calf is already nursing well. These are signs that they will have a strong bond, which is exactly what we want to see. We're ready to help if needed, but so far mom and baby are doing just fine on their own.' The zoo supports a broad range of efforts to help wild elephants, and its elephant care program has spanned more than 60 years, according to its statement.
Washington Post
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
The Oregon Zoo welcomes a new baby elephant
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo in Portland has welcomed its newest addition, a baby elephant. Thirty-year-old Asian elephant Rose-Tu gave birth on Saturday after 20 months of pregnancy, the zoo said in a news release. The calf appeared to be a 200-pound (90-kilogram) female, but zoo staff are giving the pair time to bond before conducting a first checkup to confirm weight and sex.
The Independent
04-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The Oregon Zoo welcomes a new baby elephant
The Oregon Zoo in Portland has welcomed its newest addition, a baby elephant. Thirty-year-old Asian elephant Rose-Tu gave birth on Saturday after 20 months of pregnancy, the zoo said in a news release. The calf appeared to be a 200-pound (90-kilogram) female, but zoo staff are giving the pair time to bond before conducting a first checkup to confirm weight and sex. 'We couldn't be happier with how everything is going so far,' Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo's elephant program, said in the release. 'This was one of the smoothest births I've ever seen. Rose knew just what to do. She helped her baby up right away. The kid was standing on her own within 15 minutes and took her first steps soon after that.' Rose-Tu and her baby, who is nursing regularly, are doing well, Kelsey Wallace from the zoo's communications team said Tuesday. The calf is Rose-Tu's third baby. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also lives at the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, passed away from a virus in 2018, just before she turned 6 years old. It might be a while before the new baby and Rose-Tu are ready for visitors. Staff want to make sure the calf continues to do well, and that Rose-Tu is calm and comfortable with people around, Lefave said. 'Rose is a fantastic mom,' he said. 'She's so gentle and protective, and the calf is already nursing well. These are signs that they will have a strong bond, which is exactly what we want to see. We're ready to help if needed, but so far mom and baby are doing just fine on their own.' The zoo supports a broad range of efforts to help wild elephants, and its elephant care program has spanned over 60 years, according to its statement.
Associated Press
04-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
The Oregon Zoo welcomes a new baby elephant
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Zoo in Portland has welcomed its newest addition, a baby elephant. Thirty-year-old Asian elephant Rose-Tu gave birth on Saturday after 20 months of pregnancy, the zoo said in a news release. The calf appeared to be a 200-pound (90-kilogram) female, but zoo staff are giving the pair time to bond before conducting a first checkup to confirm weight and sex. 'We couldn't be happier with how everything is going so far,' Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo's elephant program, said in the release. 'This was one of the smoothest births I've ever seen. Rose knew just what to do. She helped her baby up right away. The kid was standing on her own within 15 minutes and took her first steps soon after that.' Rose-Tu and her baby, who is nursing regularly, are doing well, Kelsey Wallace from the zoo's communications team said Tuesday. The calf is Rose-Tu's third baby. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also lives at the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, passed away from a virus in 2018, just before she turned 6 years old. It might be a while before the new baby and Rose-Tu are ready for visitors. Staff want to make sure the calf continues to do well, and that Rose-Tu is calm and comfortable with people around, Lefave said. 'Rose is a fantastic mom,' he said. 'She's so gentle and protective, and the calf is already nursing well. These are signs that they will have a strong bond, which is exactly what we want to see. We're ready to help if needed, but so far mom and baby are doing just fine on their own.' The zoo supports a broad range of efforts to help wild elephants, and its elephant care program has spanned over 60 years, according to its statement.
