OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Zoo is celebrating the birth of an endangered Asian elephant calf.
According to the Zoo, first-time parents, Achara and Bowie, welcomed a male calf named Xerxes (ZURK-seez) on Tuesday, June 17, at 6:56 a.m. The birth was highly anticipated after the Zoo announced Achara’s pregnancy in February 2024.
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“We couldn’t be happier for Achara and are thrilled to welcome Xerxes to our elephant family,” said Rachel Boyd, OKC Zoo’s elephant curator. “Based on the nurturing behaviors Achara showed towards her younger sisters, we had every reason to believe she would make a wonderful mother. Watching her care for her own calf is incredibly rewarding. She’s stepped into this role with confidence and is doing an outstanding job.”
Officials say the name Xerxes is Greek for “ruler of heroes”. The name was chosen by the Zoo’s elephant care team.
In addition to Xerxes, the Zoo is home to three generations of elephants. The oldest female, Asha, is 30 years old and is Achara’s mother and Xerxes’s grandmother. Other herd members include Asha’s sister, 29-year-old Chandra, and daughters 6-year-old Kairava and 3-year-old Rama as well as male 23-year-old Kandula.
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“Having the opportunity to care for three generations of elephants is an exciting, historical first for us,” added Boyd. “Xerxes’s birth is also a significant event for the Asian elephant population as a whole. As we continue our commitment to breeding Asian elephants and growing our herd, we are helping ensure a viable future for this beloved species.”…