Young elephant shows off tiny tusks to zoo staff

By Dean Murray

Look ma, my first tooth!

A young elephant has delighted zoo staff by sprouting tiny tusks.

Small jumbo Roi-Yim lives at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia, where he has spent his early life naturally close to his mother and two sisters in a herd of seven females.

The zoo said: "This little guy made huge news around Australia when he was born 3 years ago – and now, after being moved to an $88 million world-class elephant habitat earlier in 2025 – he is starting to sprout his cute little tusks and spend some quality time with his dad who is showing him the way of being an adult elephant."

Trail Keeper Andrea Smith said: "He’s getting some nice length on his tusks now. He’s starting to use them during play sessions with his sisters, and he’s also starting to use them to push his 4,500kg dad around too."

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Smith said Roi-Yim’s growing tusks and transition away from the family group to join a male social unit is part of Zoos Victoria’s commitment to supporting elephants’ natural social structure as the herd continues to grow.

She said: "The ‘social sessions’ between Roi-Yim and his dad, Luk Chai, are starting out gradually, with his mother Mali and his siblings Aiyara and Kati close by for comfort.

"As Roi-Yim becomes more confident around his dad, he will eventually move in with him."

The increasing time spent with Luk Chai will help Roi-Yim build confidence and learn important bull social skills, just like he would experience in the wild.

“We’ve seen some really beautiful moments between Roi and his dad including touching tunks, playing in the mud together and feeding side by side. Roi-Yim absolutely loves following Luk Chai around.

"Luk Chai is a wonderful father. Patient, playful and gentle, even when Roi-Yim insists on staying right by his side."