Dallas Zoo is celebrating a new four-legged Texan after African elephant Mlilo gave birth to a healthy male calf. The baby arrived last Sunday at 12:25 p.m., bringing a long-awaited new member to the zoo’s elephant herd.
Dallas Zoo shared the jumbo announcement in today's post, saying Mlilo’s pregnancy lasted nearly 21 months. The newborn’s name has not yet been announced.
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
Mlilo’s Third Calf Joins Dallas’ Elephant Herd
The calf is Mlilo’s third, according to an earlier Dallas Zoo announcement about the pregnancy. The zoo previously identified 22-year-old Tendaji as the father and said both elephants were born in the wild before arriving in Dallas through a coordinated rescue effort during a severe drought in Eswatini.
The birth also reflects a broader effort to manage elephant populations in accredited zoos. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums says its African Elephant Species Survival Plan coordinates breeding and transfers to support healthy, genetically diverse populations over the long term, as outlined by the AZA.
Dallas Zoo Is Already Celebrating The New Arrival
The Dallas Zoo’s website now highlights the calf through limited-time elephant Adopt-An-Animal packages, with proceeds supporting the zoo’s animal-care mission. The zoo is located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, about three miles south of downtown Dallas, according to its visitor information.
