Halloween is almost here and everyone has the sensed the fall spirit in the air, including this baby elephant. The Oregon Zoo got decked out for its annual fall event and a little guy (actually girl) decided to join in on the fun.
She doesn’t just play with the pumpkin — she truly thinks she’s David Beckham. As the caption explains, “Baby elephant Tula-Tu plays soccer with a pumpkin at the Oregon Zoo’s annual fall event.” Stick with this clip until the end to see the rest of the evening’s highlights.
Perhaps even more astounding than the small gal playing ball, we get to witness some of the grown up elephants in “Squishing of the Squash” where they positively destroy huge pumpkins. Honestly, you have to see it to believe it. Remember these big beasties can weigh up to 13,000 pounds and stand 10 feet tall at the shoulder. Those gourds never stood a chance.
Top comment from @budi9s1 remarked, “Someone teach this little champ how to dribble without squashing the ball.” @witches_against_fascists affirmed what we assumed to be true, “Portland Loves Tula-Tu,” referring to the baby elephant in the clip. Posters loved watching the elephant games!
Lastly, @kellys_815 gave a good sentiment that we all needed to hear, “In a world sometimes filled with chaos, don’t forget to stop and see the beauty in it!” Everyone’s got their eyes on Tula and her family as they bring us a little joy.
Related: Elephant Learning to Play the Drums Is the Best Thing You’ll See Today
About the elephants at the Oregon Zoo
Tula-Tu was born on February 1 of this year and has grown up at the Oregon Zoo. But these giants don’t reach full maturity until their 20s. This baby joins mom, Rose Tu, and three others who all call this place home.
For 60 years, the Zoo has worked to care for elephants both in its quarters and in the wild. There could be as few as 40,000 of these pachyderms left, so it’s crucial that we all work toward saving this important species. Hopefully, Tula and her viral antics will help the cause!
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
