Baby elephant at Ohio zoo on his way to 1,000 pounds

On Jan 20, 2022

They grow up so quickly! Frankie the elephant, who went viral online for his adorableness, is now 30 weeks old.The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium posted an update on Facebook Saturday about Frankie. The zoo said Frankie now weighs more than 880 pounds and continues to grow every day. His next big milestone will be 1,000 pounds.Frankie was born to 33-year-old Asian elephant Phoebe at 8:48 p.m. on June 16.The elephant received his name from a donor family who prefers to remain anonymous. The donor family chose the name Frankie to honor their mother Frances who died in November. Frances’s grandchildren called her Granny Franny.Frances’s family is pleased to name the elephant Frankie to honor their mother and to contribute to elephant conservation.In late August, the elephant calf ventured outside for his first swimming lesson that went “very well,” according to zoo officials.Then, in late October, the elephant captured the heart of many after the Columbus Zoo shared a video of him learning how to use his trunk to drink water, pick up leaves, shoots and twigs and raise it in the air.Guests can visit Frankie and the rest of the Asian elephant herd daily at the Columbus Zoo.

POWELL, Ohio —

They grow up so quickly! Frankie the elephant, who went viral online for his adorableness, is now 30 weeks old.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium posted an update on Facebook Saturday about Frankie. The zoo said Frankie now weighs more than 880 pounds and continues to grow every day. His next big milestone will be 1,000 pounds.

Frankie was born to 33-year-old Asian elephant Phoebe at 8:48 p.m. on June 16.

The elephant received his name from a donor family who prefers to remain anonymous. The donor family chose the name Frankie to honor their mother Frances who died in November. Frances’s grandchildren called her Granny Franny.

Frances’s family is pleased to name the elephant Frankie to honor their mother and to contribute to elephant conservation.

In late August, the elephant calf ventured outside for his first swimming lesson that went “very well,” according to zoo officials.

Then, in late October, the elephant captured the heart of many after the Columbus Zoo shared a video of him learning how to use his trunk to drink water, pick up leaves, shoots and twigs and raise it in the air.

Guests can visit Frankie and the rest of the Asian elephant herd daily at the Columbus Zoo.