Sam Houston, born April 1 to mom Bluebell, is the zoo’s fourth Asian elephant calf since 2021 and is now on public view.
The zoo says Sam Houston’s birth marks an important milestone for elephant conservation, with fewer than 40,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild.
“Each birth is a step forward, reflecting decades of dedicated care and specialized expertise,” the zoo said in a release.
Sam Houston’s name follows a decades-long tradition at the zoo. Each elephant born at the zoo is given a Texas-themed namesake.
“We wanted to give him a name that really lived up to his size and his stature,” said Avery Elander, director of communications at the Fort Worth Zoo. “He’s larger than life, just like Sam Houston was.”
Bluebonnet, Bluebell’s sister, was the first elephant to be given a Texas-themed name in 1998.
Zoo officials say Bluebell has been a “wonderful” mother.
“This is her second calf. So she kind of knows the ropes now,” she said.
Sam Houston is beginning to explore his habitat and meet other members of the herd, according to the zoo, though Bluebell keeps a watchful eye.
“He’s never really without eyesight for mom,” Elander explained.
Sam Houston has found a fast friend in another young calf, Ladybird, who Elander said is already keen to interact with him.
“They’re having some supervised playdates right now.”
Sam Houston’s arrival is part of a broader conservation effort underway in Fort Worth. The zoo is investing in research through its CARES lab, studying elephant reproductive health and the challenges behind declining birth rates. That work, officials say, could help inform conservation strategies not just in zoos, but around the world.
Zoogoers hoping to see Sam Houston can see him in the main Elephant Springs habitat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The zoo says he is on view for fewer hours because he needs to take an afternoon nap!