Columbus Zoo’s baby elephant has a name

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Zoo’s baby elephant now has a name after it made its debut last month.

The baby Asian elephant is named Rita Jean, after Rita Jean Wolfe, a member of the Wolfe family with deep ties to the zoo’s history.

The Wolf family encouraged the city to develop a zoo in 1926. The family contributed funds to the zoo’s first habitat and brought the first animals in 1927.

“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.

The zoo thanked the community for sharing its excitement about the elephant and for sharing name suggestions. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

“We are so grateful for the joy and excitement our community has shared since the calf’s arrival,” the zoo said. “While Rita Jean’s name was chosen to honor a remarkable woman, every idea reflected the love you feel for our elephant family, and we can’t wait to share each new milestone with you as she grows.”

Her birth marked an important milestone for the zoo, given Asian elephants are classified as endangered with fewer than 50,000 worldwide, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.