Baby Elephant Celebrates 1st Birthday at Oregon Zoo

Tula-Tu the baby elephant plays with a giant red ball for 'Tiny Trunk Tuesday' party

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tula-Tu, a baby elephant at the Oregon Zoo, celebrated her first birthday with a party that included a giant red ball, cake made of vegetables, and conservation talks from experts. The zoo shared a video of Tula-Tu playing with the ball, rolling it, standing on it, and taking breaks to use it as a yoga ball.

Why it matters

Asian elephant populations have declined sharply in recent decades, with only 40,000 to 50,000 still roaming in the wild and around 300 living in zoos and sanctuaries in the U.S. Tula-Tu's birthday celebration helps raise awareness about the importance of these majestic animals.

The details

For Tula-Tu's 'Tiny Trunk Tuesday' birthday party, the Oregon Zoo received a giant red ball as a gift from the Portland Fire department. In the video, Tula-Tu is seen rolling the ball, standing on it with her front legs, and using it as a yoga ball. The party also included a 'cake' made of vegetables, a Happy Birthday singalong, snacks for human visitors, and conservation talks from experts.

  • Tula-Tu celebrated her first birthday at the Oregon Zoo.
  • The 'Tiny Trunk Tuesday' birthday party took place on February 26, 2026.

The players

Tula-Tu

A baby elephant at the Oregon Zoo who celebrated her first birthday.

Portland Fire

The fire department that gifted the giant red ball to the Oregon Zoo for Tula-Tu's birthday party.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Tula-Tu's birthday celebration not only brought joy to visitors but also helped raise awareness about the declining Asian elephant population and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these majestic animals.