H.R. No. 1196
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On March 2, 2023, Texas Independence Day, the Fort
Worth Zoo hosted a celebration in honor of its newest resident, baby
Asian elephant Travis, who was born on February 23, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Travis entered the world measuring 37 inches tall
and weighing 270 pounds, making him the zoo's biggest male calf to
date; continuing the tradition of new calves receiving names with
strong ties to the state, Travis is the fifth Asian elephant calf
born at the Fort Worth Zoo, joining his half-brother Brazos, his
mother Belle, his aunt Bluebonnet, and Bowie, who now resides at the
Oklahoma City Zoo; his father, Romeo, who is 30 years old, has lived
at the zoo since 2015; Travis is an important addition to the
family, and his bonding with his mother and family unit mimics how
herds behave in the wild; and
WHEREAS, The oldest continuous zoo site in Texas, the Fort
Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an
alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and a few rabbits; today, it is home
to more than 500 species, and it brings in approximately 1 million
visitors each year; moreover, it is one of only 65 zoological
facilities in the world to hold the distinction of being a Humane
Certified park; and
WHEREAS, In April 2021, the Fort Worth Zoo completed its
state-of-the-art Elephant Springs habitat, which features a
400,000-gallon river, a climate-controlled environment, and 15
stalls to give the animals their own individual spaces; the habitat
represents the zoo's commitment to the conservation of Asian
elephants, a critically endangered species and one of the most
poached animals in the world; and
WHEREAS, Through his presence at the Fort Worth Zoo, Travis
will provide visitors with the gift of being able to see firsthand
one of the world's most magnificent creatures, and it is fitting to
commend his handlers and the zoo's staff as they continue their work
to advocate for this vulnerable species; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Fort Worth Zoo on the birth of
its newest elephant and extend to baby Travis a Texas-sized welcome
as a new citizen of the Lone Star State; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Fort Worth Zoo as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Goldman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1196 was adopted by the House on April
28, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House