Tula-Tu, an eight-month-old Asian elephant, entertained guests at the Oregon Zoo on Friday during the annual “Squishing of the Squash” event. By the way, Tula-Tu weighed 775 pounds (351.5 kilograms)! She competed alongside her giant relatives, who proved their brawn by smashing pumpkins as heavy as 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms). This year’s Tuskers event drew large crowds to watch the exciting showcase of elephants truck-smashing giant vegetables.
The “Squishing of the Squash” event has been a cherished tradition at the Oregon Zoo since its inception in 1999. Thanks to an extraordinary donation from a farmer in his native area. He didn’t just give any old pumpkin – it was an impressive 828 pound (376 kilogram) pumpkin. Year after year this industry event has blossomed. Competitive hobbyists from the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers Club now donate mammoth pumpkins for the elephants to eat.
While Tula-Tu’s adult relatives, who weigh slightly over 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms), tackled the largest pumpkins, the young elephant’s participation was equally significant. Although she is currently too small to smash the giant pumpkins, Tula-Tu’s involvement helped educate the public about Asian elephants and their conservation status.
The event was a fun day for attendees, but served to educate people about the critically endangered status of Asian elephants. Only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants are thought to still roam free — from India all the way to Borneo. The Oregon Zoo plays a vital role in conservation efforts and public education regarding this species, which faces numerous threats in its natural habitat.
Once the pumpkins shattered, Tula-Tu and her family jumped into a squash-splattered spread. They happily munched through dozens of tons of the tasty surplus! The elephant family happily enjoyed their meal, love and happiness creating sparkles all around them. Enthusiastic onlookers cheered as this majestic scene exemplified the deep connection between humans and these incredible creatures.
