DALLAS — The Dallas Zoo family has grown by 230 pounds following the arrival of a healthy male African elephant calf, marking a major conservation milestone for the herd.
Zoo officials publicly announced the birth on Monday, August 3, revealing that mother Mlilo gave birth to the newborn on Sunday, July 26, at 12:25 p.m. after a nearly 21-month pregnancy. Animal care staff were present to witness the delivery, reporting that the baby stood and began nursing within his first hour of life.
The newborn was welcomed into the herd with gentle trunk touches from his mother, older brother Okubili, and herd mates Jenny and Gypsy. He is currently remaining behind the scenes in a quiet environment to bond with Mlilo and acclimate to his surroundings under the close supervision of the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams.
We have a jumbo announcement… 🐘 Meet our baby elephant!
— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) August 3, 2026
After a nearly 21-month pregnancy, African elephant Mlilo gave birth to a healthy baby BOY! Born on Sunday, July 26, this precious calf made his arrival at 12:25 p.m. pic.twitter.com/edycmJQBpa
According to zoo staff, both mother and calf are doing well. Caretakers are tracking the calf’s growth milestones and daily progress while working on a name for the newest addition.
Because the calf is still in his bonding period, he is not yet visible to the public in the outdoor habitat. Officials plan to announce his name, future habitat plans, and official public debut date on social media once care teams determine he is ready to meet visitors.
The birth represents a significant event for North American African elephant conservation efforts, as managed breeding programs work to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of the vulnerable species.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
