In an agreement finalized Friday, the Oregon Zoo assumed legal ownership of Rose-Tu’s new calf from Have Trunk Will Travel, the California-based company that had previously held rights to the young elephant.

The zoo released video Wednesday of the two pachyderms meeting for the first time through a gate called the "howdy gate" inside the elephant facility.

“We’re all delighted at the arrival of Rose-Tu’s new calf,” said Kim Smith, Oregon Zoo director. “The calf is beautiful, healthy, tall and very vigorous."

Signs indicate that Rose-Tu, the pregnant pachyderm at the Oregon Zoo, is about to go into labor.

The Oregon Zoo's elephant mama is about to give birth to her second baby.

The Oregon Zoo's Asian elephant herd will be growing by one this fall as zoo officials announce Rose-Tu reached the 16-month mark in her pregnancy Friday. This will be Rose's second calf born at the Oregon zoo.

The Oregon Zoo’s Asian elephant Rose-Tu is pregnant, zoo officials announced today. The 17-year-old pachyderm, who gave birth to Samudra in 2008, is expected to deliver another member of the zoo’s celebrated elephant family in late 2012.

Keepers at the Oregon Zoo in Portland are staying busy these days, whether it's rescuing a rambunctious baby river otter or keeping an eye on a growing (1,000 pounds in a year) elephant calf.

The Oregon Zoo's elephant program enjoyed a remarkable year in 2008, with Rose-Tu successfully giving birth to Samudra and local voters passing a $125 million zoo bond measure.

Samudra, the Oregon Zoo's celebrated Asian elephant calf, got his first taste of snow -- literally. Keepers say the newest addition to the elephant herd romped in the snow for nearly a half hour playing with it, rolling in it and, yes, eating it.