Tusko and Rose-tu had a baby!  A 286 lb baby elephant that is.  Today around 4pm, the newest baby at the Oregon Zoo was born.  Rose-tu wasn’t expecting until mid-September, but alas, when babies want to be born, they control the situation.  The Oregon Zoo website is reporting that the birth went well, although the baby elephant needed to be removed from the mama shortly after birth.  The O is reporting that as part of the after birth ritual, the mother elephant usually kicks the baby to get it moving.  Today, Rose-tu was being a bit too aggressive with the kicking, so the zoo handlers removed the babe from the room worried it would get permanent damage.  The babe has since been walked by the staff and re-introduced to mom.  “Baby is strong and has a good suckling response. Baby and mom are calling to each other, and it looks good for a reintroduction later tonight.”

So cool to have a newborn at the zoo.  I’ll have to schedule a visit sometime soon.