This is a press release courtesy of the Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo's new baby elephant is acclimating to his herd, as keepers continue to baby-proof his exhibit space.

"We're making adjustments to the indoor viewing gallery to help accommodate the calf," said Bob Lee, senior elephant keeper. "We're also making plans to modify the outdoor yards to make them safer. We have a couple of pools that we want to make sure he doesn't fall into when he goes outside for the first time." Lee added that it may be a while before the calf goes outdoors.

The 5-day-old elephant has been exploring his new surroundings. At one point, keepers saw him gather up some bamboo with his trunk and stick it in his mouth to see what it was like. During Rose-Tu's morning bath, keepers gave the calf a large rubber tub to splash in, and he seemed to enjoy the water quite a bit.

Meanwhile, Rose-Tu and her calf continue to grow more comfortable with each other, keepers say. The two elephants have been lying down together to sleep, and they seem much more rested. Once, when Rose-Tu lay down, the calf nestled between her feet, almost as if to "spoon" although facing in the wrong direction.

Yesterday afternoon, Rose-Tu and her new calf met up with Shine and Chendra by means of a "howdy gate," which let them see each other while keeping them physically separated. Keepers said the meeting seemed to have a calming effect on Rose-Tu, who appeared comforted by the presence of her companions in the herd.

The adult elephants all reached their trunks over the top of the gate to make contact with each other, and Shine and Chendra seemed very interested in the new calf once they realized he was there. Keepers plan additional meetings to familiarize the calf with his "aunties," following some modifications to the "howdy gate."

Keepers are consulting other elephant experts regarding the next steps for the calf's introduction into the herd.

The baby elephant was born at the Oregon Zoo at 3:56 p.m. on Aug. 23. The new calf is the first third-generation elephant to be born in the United States.

Zoo officials have not decided when the public will be able see the calf.

"From the behavioral signs we've seen thus far, we're very hopeful that it will be soon," said Mike Keele, the zoo's deputy director and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' species survival plan coordinator for Asian elephants.

Rose-Tu, born Aug. 31, 1994, is a popular elephant within the herd and with her keepers. She is always looking to tease her herd mates and shares a strong friendship with Chendra, who is nearly the same age. Rose-Tu is the second smallest elephant in the herd, weighing about 7,600 pounds. She conceived in late 2006.

The Oregon Zoo has a renowned breeding program for endangered Asian elephants.  More than 25 elephants have been born at the zoo, beginning with Packy in 1962.

As the infant grows older, father Tusko - a 13,500-pound, 36-year-old Asian
elephant - will   be introduced and allowed to interact with him, as well.
Tusko arrived at the zoo in June 2005 on a breeding loan. He has successfully sired three calves in the past -- two while living in Canada and one in California.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants recommended that Rose-Tu be bred with Tusko. The AZA, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America. Currently, birth rates are lower than necessary to do so. With few bulls and low birth rates -- combined with an aging female population -- the North American elephant population is at of risk becoming extinct.

In the late 1990s, scientists warned zoos that unless a reproductive management program was undertaken, North America was in danger of not sustaining a viable elephant population. Statistics indicate that if females do not become pregnant by the age of 25, their ability to reproduce is severely diminished.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild.
Agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 8 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus No. 63.
Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive $1 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $9.75 (12-64), seniors $8.25 (65+), children $6.75 (3-11), and infants 2 and under are free; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.