ST. LOUIS — Raja the bull Asian elephant is turning 30 on Tuesday, Dec. 27, and the Saint Louis Zoo is inviting guests to join in on the celebration.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, zoo guests are invited to sign a Raja-sized birthday card and learn more about elephants through activities at The Living World, located at the zoo's north entrance.
Birthday cupcakes and hot chocolate will also be available for purchase at Lakeside Café in honor of Raja.
Admission to the zoo and Raja's birthday party is free to the public.
"We all look forward to celebrating this big milestone birthday for Raja with the St. Louis community,” said Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, zoological manager of River’s Edge at the Saint Louis Zoo. “It’s heartwarming to see the love Zoo guests have for Raja and how it inspires them to care about other elephants in the wild.”
Asian elephants are facing extinction due to habitat loss and destruction, according to the zoo. There are nearly 50,000 left in the wild. The Saint Louis Zoo is committed to serving endangered species through various worldwide conservation efforts.
The Saint Louis Zoo announced Monday that Raja would not be attending this year's birthday celebration due to cold weather. Instead, he'll join the other elephants in their indoor climate-controlled barn.
Raja, according to his birthday party announcement, is part of the zoo’s three-generation Asian elephant family.
He was the first Asian elephant born at the zoo in 1992, and he is the father of three calves there – Maliha, 16; Jade, 15; and Priya, 9.
Share your memories with Raja on social media using the hashtag #RajasBirthday.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.