The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced that an Asian elephant calf was born on October 22, marking the first time in nearly a century that the Ohio facility recorded two elephant births within a single year. The event added to the zoo’s ongoing efforts to expand managed populations amid concerns about the proliferation of threats facing Asian elephants in the wild. Staff reported that the mother, Phoebe, delivered the male calf at 10:41 p.m. inside a controlled environment designed to protect early bonding. Access remains limited while teams observe the newborn’s first movements and nursing attempts. Officials explained that the birth supports broader goals tied to species survival programs in accredited zoos across the country.

The zoo noted that medical teams continue their work under an integrative care approach that includes conservation planning, behavioral support, and health monitoring. The calf’s father, Sabu, resides at the Cincinnati Zoo and was paired with Phoebe through a national breeding strategy directed by conservationist groups seeking to strengthen genetic diversity. Experts emphasized that cooperation among institutions reflects a reciprocal responsibility to protect animals affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. The zoo added that maintaining viable populations under professional care is imperative as pressures in the wild persist. Phoebe’s earlier calf, born in 2021, remains part of the herd along with other adults and a younger calf delivered four months ago. Officials plan to release additional updates about public-viewing schedules, naming processes, and developmental progress.