NOTE TO MEDIA: Images can be accessed through this link. Photo credits are contained in the file names.

Powell, OH — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the joyful arrival of a male calf born to Phoebe, a 38-year-old Asian elephant and experienced mother. The calf, weighing 222 pounds, was born at 10:41 p.m. on October 21, 2025, marking the Zoo’s second elephant birth of 2025.

Both Phoebe and her calf are doing well. The calf is achieving expected milestones like standing, nursing, and remaining curious about his surroundings, while the Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams provide round-the-clock support. To allow uninterrupted bonding, Phoebe and her calf are currently behind the scenes and not yet viewable to the public.

“The trumpeting of two calves in one year is music to our ears, and a win for Asian elephant conservation,” said Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “Thanks to years of planning with zoo partners, Phoebe and her baby boy are doing well, and we can’t wait to share this joy with our community.”

A Historic First for the Zoo

This is the first time in the Columbus Zoo’s near 100-year history that two elephant calves have been born in the same calendar year. It is a remarkable milestone for the Zoo and a meaningful step forward for Asian elephant conservation. This growth reflects the vision behind the multi-year expansion of the Zoo’s elephant habitat, which was designed to provide more space for elephants to roam and support natural herd dynamics.

“This moment has been years in the making,” said Adam Felts, vice president of Animal Care at the Columbus Zoo. “We intentionally designed and expanded the habitat to support larger herd sizes and more natural behaviors. Two calves born in one year is exactly the kind of herd dynamic we hoped to create. It allows the elephants to interact, learn from one another and thrive in a way that mirrors the social structure found in the wild.”

A Thoughtful Welcome to a Growing Herd

The calf’s father, Sabu, resides at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and spent time at the Columbus Zoo during a temporary stay. The pairing was recommended through the Species Survival Plan, a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to support healthy, genetically-diverse populations of threatened and endangered species in professional care.

Phoebe lives in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region with her son Frankie (born in 2021), female Rudy (23), male Johnson (24), and another new mom, Sunny (16), and her calf Rita Jean (4 months). For now, Phoebe and her calf are settling into a calm routine behind the scenes, including carefully-timed introductions to other members of the herd. Updates about public viewing opportunities, naming plans and other baby milestones will be shared on the Zoo’s social media platforms as details become available. This will include the timing for a first meet-up between the calves once both moms and babies are ready.

“In the months leading up to today, every decision, big and small, was designed around Phoebe’s comfort and choice,” Felts said. “She’s responding exactly as an experienced mother should, and the calf’s early progress is encouraging. This birth is the outcome of careful preparation, round-the-clock attention and a care plan tailored to Phoebe’s needs.”

Commitment to Species Survival

Asian elephants are endangered, with populations having declined by at least 50 percent over the last three generations. They now occupy only about 15 percent of their historic range across South and Southeast Asia. Habitat loss, degradation and poaching continue to drive declines.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium helped establish the Center for Species Survival for Asian Elephant alongside the Wildlife Trust of India and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Located in India, this is the world’s first CSS hub dedicated to a single species. It is uniquely positioned within the elephant’s native range to coordinate solutions to the most urgent threats identified across the species’ 13 range countries.

While Phoebe and her calf are bonding behind the scenes and are not yet viewable to the public, guests can still learn more about elephants and the Columbus Zoo’s global conservation efforts by visiting the Asian Elephant Conservation Center in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region.

For updates about Phoebe and her calf, as well as information about the Columbus Zoo’s conservation initiatives, events and educational programs, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or visit ColumbusZoo.org.