It’s a big summer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and a huge moment for one very special first-time mom.
On Wednesday, July 23, 16-year-old Asian elephant Sundara (affectionately known as Sunny) gave birth to a healthy, 215-pound calf. It’s the first of two expected elephant births at the Zoo this year, with longtime herd member Phoebe also due this fall.
The new arrival looks to be firmly in the “so odd looking it circles back to being cute” category, but we’ll give them a pass with it being their first day and all.
The new arrival came after a 22-month pregnancy and marks a major milestone in the Zoo’s efforts to help conserve the endangered Asian elephant population. While the calf isn’t yet on public view, she’s already nursing, exploring with wobbly steps, and charming the team behind the scenes.
“This is an incredibly special moment for our entire team and community,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “Every birth brings hope and reminds us why this work matters.”
Sunny is reportedly doing great, too. Zookeepers say she’s showing strong maternal instincts, and both mom and baby are being closely monitored by the Zoo’s Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams. Their focus right now? Rest, bonding, and getting to know the rest of the herd.
Sunny lives in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region alongside her sister Rudy, Phoebe (the soon-to-be mom), young Frankie (Phoebe’s calf born in 2021), and Johnson, a 24-year-old male. The new calf’s father, Sabu, lives at the Cincinnati Zoo and was temporarily in Columbus as part of a planned pairing through the AZA’s Species Survival Plan®.
A Bigger Mission: Protecting Asian Elephants
The Columbus Zoo has a long history of supporting elephant conservation both locally and around the globe. Asian elephants are listed as endangered, with only an estimated 40,000–50,000 remaining in the wild. Habitat loss and poaching continue to threaten their survival.
Through partnerships with organizations like the International Elephant Foundation and efforts like the AZA SAFE: Asian Elephant program, the Zoo contributes to on-the-ground conservation work around the world. They’ve also been a leader in research on EEHV, a deadly virus that affects young elephants.
In fact, the Zoo recently helped launch the Center for Species Survival for Asian Elephants in India—the first global center of its kind dedicated to a single species.
What’s Next?
While Sunny and her little one are still behind the scenes for now, updates will be shared soon on public viewing, the baby’s name, and more adorable milestones. For now, visitors can stop by the Zoo’s Asian Elephant Conservation Center to learn more about the species and the work being done to protect them.
To keep up with Sunny’s calf and all things elephant, follow the Columbus Zoo on social media, or visit columbuszoo.org.
