Oregon Zoo’s cutest elephant calf, Tula Tu, turns one

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since Portland fell for its smallest new resident.

Tula-Tu, the Asian elephant calf born at the Oregon Zoo, arrived on Feb. 1, 2025, weighing about 200 pounds after a nearly 20-month pregnancy by her mother Rose-Tu.

She is, so far, the tiniest of Rose-Tu’s calves, joining older brother Samudra and the late Lily, who died suddenly from an illness in 2018 at just 6-years-old.

From the start, Tula-Tu captured hearts all across Oregon and beyond, even earning national attention after being called the “cutest animal of 2025” by Jenna Bush Hager, host of the “Today” show.

She has grown quickly since then. By October, during the zoo’s annual Squishing of the Squash, she tipped the scales at 775 pounds.

While her size may have changed, but her charm has not.

The zoo will celebrate Tula-Tu’s first birthday on Feb. 1 with a full day of festivities.

The party includes keeper talks, birthday treats, and a new enrichment ball gifted by sponsor Portland Fire, the Rose City’s WNBA team. Alaska Airlines is also sponsoring the celebration and will provide birthday snacks for visitors.

Elephant keeper talks are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed by a group sing-along of “Happy Birthday.” Guests can also purchase mini chocolate- or caramel-drizzled elephant ears and souvenir cups featuring a baby photo of Tula-Tu.

The celebration runs during normal zoo hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with timed-entry tickets available online. Those who cannot attend in person can still join in by sending virtual birthday wishes through a digital card.