Columbus Zoo's newest baby elephant to be named by public vote

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The birth of a baby elephant in October at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium made history as the first time that two calves have been born at the zoo in one year.

Now, this new male calf needs a name and the zoo is asking the public for help. In a new release, the organization shared that it is currently requesting name suggestions through Nov. 16. Once submissions are in, the elephant care team will select their four favorites. Then, from Nov. 24 to noon on Dec. 1, people can vote for their preferred name. The baby's official name will be announced Dec. 2.

In an update, the zoo said that the newest member of the herd is “thriving and continuing to hit all of his early developmental milestones.” Born to 38-year-old Asian elephant Phoebe, he weighed 222 pounds at birth. Additionally, his mother is watching him closely and he is taking his place within the herd. He has been venturing outside in good weather and has made a few appearances, delighting visitors. See the video of his public debut in the player above.

Previously, the zoo said staff members have been using various nicknames for him, like Nugget and Junior.

The zoo's other baby elephant was born in July to mother Sunny. In September, the female calf was given the moniker Rita Jean in honor of the late Rita Jean Wolfe, whose family was instrumental in establishing the zoo in the 1920s.

“Rita Jean Wolfe embodied the same qualities we see in our elephants — strength, resilience and boundless compassion,” the zoo wrote in a social media post.

According to the zoo, Asian elephants are endangered, with fewer than 50,000 in the wild.

“It’s always exciting when we have babies, especially two babies at the same time,” said elephant keeper Laura Garcia just after the latest birth. “It’s special because this is the first time the zoo has ever had two babies together and they’re almost exactly three months apart, so that’s very exciting to see that.”