WATCH: Nelson, Houston Zoo’s newest baby elephant made an appearance on NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition
Nelson featured on NBC Nightly News Kids Edition (Courtesy of NBC Nightly News/YouTube)
HOUSTON – Houston Zoo’s newest baby elephant was featured in a recent segment on the Kids’ Edition of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt .
Holt spoke with the zoo’s large mammal curator Daryl Hoffman to introduce the baby elephant and his mother, Shanti.
“He had a rough start early on [during his birth], but the whole team put him back together and he’s doing fantastic,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman said Shanti isn’t protective with her new calf, as she had given birth to six others previously. She is comfortable with zoo officials being around Nelson.
“Every baby is still exciting,” he said, when asked what the atmosphere is like when a baby elephant is on the way, “you’ll never know what is going to happen. Our team prepares for the worst but hopes for the best.”
The new addition adds the elephant count to 11 for the Houston Zoo, Holt stated.
Read more on Nelson’s arrival by clicking here .
Meet Nelson! 🐘💚 Meet Nelson, our adorable baby elephant who joined our herd early Tuesday morning! He has been bonding with mom, Shanti, behind the scenes.
Posted by Houston Zoo on Friday, May 15, 2020Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
About the Author A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.
3.5 million Texans will not get food stamps next month if government shutdown continues ▶ 2:36
3.5 million Texans will not get food stamps next month if government shutdown continues
Abandoned Homes Still Haunt Houston Neighborhoods | Here’s Why ▶ 0:59
Abandoned Homes Still Haunt Houston Neighborhoods | Here’s Why
2025 saw record number of bodies in Buffalo Bayou, family demands answers ▶ 1:50
2025 saw record number of bodies in Buffalo Bayou, family demands answers
FAA to begin cutting flights at airports on Friday ▶ 0:41
FAA to begin cutting flights at airports on Friday
Why are scientists excited about the latest comet cruising past Earth? ▶ 1:15
Why are scientists excited about the latest comet cruising past Earth?
Flight cancellations possible at Bush and Hobby airports as FAA cuts air traffic by 10% ▶ 1:04
Flight cancellations possible at Bush and Hobby airports as FAA cuts air traffic by 10%
Texas woman with terminal cancer fears government shutdown could keep her from life-saving care ▶ 0:48
Texas woman with terminal cancer fears government shutdown could keep her from life-saving care
Government shutdown leaves AmeriCorps team stranded in Houston without pay ▶ 1:11
Government shutdown leaves AmeriCorps team stranded in Houston without pay
Houston’s first 3D-printed home community is almost ready to roll...or print ▶ 1:25
Houston’s first 3D-printed home community is almost ready to roll...or print
KPRC 2 helping to build homes for Houstonians with Habitat for Humanity! ▶ 1:00
KPRC 2 helping to build homes for Houstonians with Habitat for Humanity!
Court orders new hearing in AJ Armstrong appeal after questions about blood expert ▶ 0:37
Court orders new hearing in AJ Armstrong appeal after questions about blood expert
Houston get ready! A strong cold front could bring wind chills into the THIRTIES next week! ▶ 1:18
Houston get ready! A strong cold front could bring wind chills into the THIRTIES next week!
Bring the swing! KPRC 2 partnered with Houston's Habitat for Humanity to help build homes! ▶ 0:36
Bring the swing! KPRC 2 partnered with Houston's Habitat for Humanity to help build homes!
Dueño de panadería en Houston dice que el miedo a redadas migratorias ha vaciado su negocio ▶ 2:12
Dueño de panadería en Houston dice que el miedo a redadas migratorias ha vaciado su negocio
Trump urges end to filibuster as shutdown reaches Day 36; Cornyn ‘open to changes,’ Cruz unavailable ▶ 0:34
Trump urges end to filibuster as shutdown reaches Day 36; Cornyn ‘open to changes,’ Cruz unavailable
Fog is on the way to Houston ▶ 1:46
Fog is on the way to Houston
Houston police union seeks New York police officers following mayoral election ▶ 1:52
Houston police union seeks New York police officers following mayoral election
51 drivers blow past stopped school bus, get tickets during Pct. 4 Constable sting in Klein ▶ 1:12
51 drivers blow past stopped school bus, get tickets during Pct. 4 Constable sting in Klein
Cy-Fair ISD voters flip school board, ending conservative majority ▶ 0:52
Cy-Fair ISD voters flip school board, ending conservative majority
Defense for worker in historic abortion case calls charges political ▶ 1:11
Defense for worker in historic abortion case calls charges political
Upcoming temperature rollercoaster for Houston ▶ 0:49
Upcoming temperature rollercoaster for Houston
Part of Polk Street closed for construction of massive George R. Brown Convention Center expansion ▶ 1:16
Part of Polk Street closed for construction of massive George R. Brown Convention Center expansion
Why the Fog Is Coming Back to Houston ▶ 0:51
Why the Fog Is Coming Back to Houston
These candidates are leading in Cy-Fair ISD Board Position 5 ▶ 0:25
These candidates are leading in Cy-Fair ISD Board Position 5
Houston City Council At Large Position 4 race is tightening! ▶ 1:15
Houston City Council At Large Position 4 race is tightening!
Previous photo Next photo