The Fort Worth Zoo announced the birth of their newest resident, a healthy, 36-inch-tall, 285-pound male Asian elephant calf.
In a press release, the zoo said the calf, named Sam Houston, was born at 5:31 am on April 1 to mom Bluebell and father Romeo.
“The calf was standing within six minutes of birth, nursing within an hour and maneuvering his trunk well almost immediately, all indications of a healthy baby elephant,” the zoo wrote. “The newest calf joins a four-generation family of Fort Worth elephants.”
The zoo said it’s a tradition for all elephants born at the zoo to receive a Texas-themed name.
“Given his remarkable size – the largest calf in zoo history – it felt only fitting to honor one of Texas’ most iconic figures, Sam Houston,” the zoo wrote. The name “represents strength, and a lasting legacy, joining the four-generation elephant family that reflects the rich heritage and enduring spirit of Texas.” Credit: Fort Worth Zoo via Storyful