Story perspectives

Endangered Elephants Celebrate 'Squishing of the Squash' at Oregon Zoo

10/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Oregon Zoo's annual 'Squishing of the Squash' features Tula-Tu, an eight-month-old Asian elephant weighing 775 pounds, playing with a small pumpkin as adult relatives crush pumpkins near 1,000 pounds.
The event, a tradition since 1999, shows elephants interacting with pumpkins donated by competitive growers.
Asian elephants are highly endangered, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 remaining in the wild.
Recent conservation successes have been noted in places like Cambodia.

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Story summary

The Oregon Zoo's annual 'Squishing of the Squash' features Tula-Tu, an eight-month-old Asian elephant weighing 775 pounds, playing with a small pumpkin as adult relatives crush pumpkins near 1,000 pounds.
The event, a tradition since 1999, shows elephants interacting with pumpkins donated by competitive growers.
Asian elephants are highly endangered, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 remaining in the wild.
Recent conservation successes have been noted in places like Cambodia.