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.
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.