OKC Zoo welcomes sixth endangered Asian elephant calf The Oklahoma City Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its sixth endangered Asian elephant calf after 31-year-old Asha gave birth to a female on Friday, June 26. The calf arrived nearly two months ahead of schedule, making the birth an early surprise for the Zoo’s elephant care team. Despite being premature, the newborn appears to be in good health and continues to be closely monitored by veterinarians and caretakers. “We are all feeling cautiously optimistic that the calf will meet key milestones for elephant calves,” said Rachel Boyd, the Zoo’s curator of elephants. “Asha and her calf are being closely observed as the calf continues standing, nursing and developing.” Asian elephant Asha with Calf born June 29 at the OKC Zoo. Photo provided Born at 1:36 p.m. inside the elephant barn at Sanctuary Asia, the calf weighed 264 pounds—within the typical birth weight range for Asian elephants. Caretakers reported she was standing and moving shortly after birth. To allow time for bonding, Asha and her calf will remain off public view. The birth expands the Zoo’s elephant herd to nine animals and marks the third generation of elephants at the Zoo, with Asha, her 11-year-old daughter Achara, and Achara’s one-year-old calf, Xerxes, all part of the family. The newborn has not yet been named. Asha’s pregnancy was announced in 2025 and was monitored through regular ultrasounds, hormone testing and veterinary exams. The calf’s father will be confirmed through future DNA testing as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Asian elephants are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. The Oklahoma City Zoo supports conservation efforts through its Sri Lanka Elephant Project, which studies wild Asian elephants, and participates in the AZA’s SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program. The Zoo says it will share updates on the calf’s progress and announce her name at a later date. The post OKC Zoo welcomes sixth endangered Asian elephant calf appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less