COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus Zoo's baby elephant now has a name after it made its debut last month.

The baby Asian elephant is named Rita Jean, after Rita Jean Wolfe, a member of Wolfe family with deep ties to the zoo's history.

The Wolf family encouraged the city to develop a zoo in 1926. The family contributed funds to the zoo's first habitat and brought the first animals in 1927.

"Rita Jean Wolfe embodied the same qualities we see in our elephants -- strength, resilience and boundless compassion," the zoo wrote in a social media post.

The zoo thanked the community for sharing its excitement about the elephant and for sharing name suggestions. Watch previous coverage in the player above. • Courtesy Photo / Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • Courtesy Photo / Columbus Zoo and Aquariu

See Full Page