ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Zoo has a new family member.

Jade, the Zoo's 17-year-old Asian elephant, gave birth to Jet, the zoo's first Asian elephant born by insemination, on Nov. 23 at 4:32 a.m. The Elephant Care Team kept to the elephant family tradition and named the newest member after a gemstone. Jet’s mother, Jade, and grandparents, Onyx and Pearl, all carry gemstone names. 

What You Need To Know

  • Jade, the 17-year-old Asian elephant at the Saint Louis Zoo, gave birth to Jet, the first Asian elephant born by insemination at the Zoo

  • Jet will bond with Jade as they await warmer temperatures before Jet explores his outdoor habitat

  • Jet, Jade, and Jet's grandparents', Onyx and Pearl, are all named after gemstones

“We are thrilled to welcome this calf, which starts the fourth generation of our Asian elephant family at the Zoo,” said Tim Thier, the director of the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Asian Elephant Conservation. “Jade and (the) baby are doing well and bonding.”  

Jet’s biological father, Jake, lives at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in Denver, Colo. 

The St. Louis Zoo said they’re committed to the sustainability of the Asian elephant population and the use of insemination provided the opportunity for Jade to contribute to the genetic diversity of the population without leaving the zoo. 

“Being able to breed and raise a baby is an important part of animal wellbeing and one of the priorities of our thoughtful and robust Animal Care program,” said Regina Mossotti, the vice president of animal care. “Our incredible and experienced Animal Care team is providing exceptional around-the-clock care for Jade and her newborn calf.” 

An Asian elephant's pregnancy lasts around 22 months; newborn elephants normally weigh between 250-350 pounds.

Jade and Jet are among eight elephant members at the Zoo’s River’s Edge and Staenberg Group Elephant Woods habitats. The others include Ellie, Maliha, Pearl, Priya, Sri and Raja. Jade is the daughter of Raja and Rani, born at the St. Louis Zoo in 2007. Rani passed away last year at the age of 27. 

For now, Jet and Jade will continue to bond in private as they await the calf to grow a little older and the temperatures to climb. The zoo will release the date for the public’s first opportunity to see Jet at a later date.