Tula-Tu, January 2026; courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.
Portland, Ore. – The Oregon Zoo hosts a first birthday celebration Sunday for the state’s LARGEST celebrity.
Tula-Tu is just like any other toddler. “She knows she’s the center of attention,” says Steve Lefave, who oversees the Oregon Zoo’s elephant care program, “She demands that.” At one year old, he says she is happy and healthy, “She’s just about at a thousand pounds. We’re not quite there, but we’re just about to cross that threshold, and that’s right on track for a calf at this age.”
While Tula has captured the hearts of zoo visitors and millions of fans online, Lefave says she also changes the dynamic of her herd, with adult elephants helping to care for her. “The social dynamic is kind of a glue, if you will, that brings the herd a bit closer together. It can sometimes cause changes in relationships. So it’s just a very dynamic time for the herd.”
Female elephants typically stay with their herd, so we’ll get to watch her mature. “We’ll see her continue to grow and become ‘Punkier,’ is the term that we use with young elephants – you know, they’ll get in trouble, they explore a lot of things; very curious,” says Lefave, laughing, “That trunk can get into a lot of places; it’ll get you into trouble sometimes.”
Tula was an immediate sensation, following her 2025 birth. “Times are kind of odd and people are looking for something positive to pay attention to,” says Lefave. “She just brings joy to anybody, from a little kid to our elders, when they’re visiting. It’s nice to see that universal joy, if you will, come from this little life that’s running around.”
The Oregon Zoo hosts a birthday celebration Sunday, from 9:30 to 4. Click HERE for more information. The first 500 guests receive a birthday gift from the Portland Fire WNBA team.
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Heather Roberts
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