COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cincinnati Zoo celebrated their oldest Asian elephant turning 50, Monday.

Mai Thai is the zoo’s oldest and most recognized elephant according to the zoo's announcement. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Mai Thai, Cincinnati Zoo's oldest and most recognized Asian elephant, celebrated her 50th birthday, Monday

  •  She celebrated with her herd by smashing an elephant sized cake and several decorations

  •  In her youth, she marched on stages, in parades, and even delivered a ceremonial first pitch

Mai Thai celebrated with the rest of her herd by smashing an elephant sized cake and several decorations that the zoo said took weeks to make. 

In Mai Thai’s youth, she was an on-stage personality for the Opera Aida, marched in the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parades, and has even delivered the ceremonial first pitch for the Reds. 

Last year, the Reds made a bobblehead in her honor and MadTree Brewing dedicated a beer, named “Oh Mai,” to her. 

“The excellent health that our two geriatric female elephants enjoy is certainly a result of the excellent care they receive,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard.  “One of Mai Thai’s keepers does regular exercise sessions, similar to yoga stretches, with her to keep her flexible and minimize age-related aches and pains.”

The current elephant habitat was recently expanded to allow the elephants outside day or night. They will move to their new space, Elephant Trek, next year with five times more space.

“Elephant Trek will be the ultimate environment for elephants. With naturalistic trees, mud wallows, grasses, pools, streams, and other elements designed to give a multi-generational herd everything it needs to thrive,” said Maynard. “It will be big enough to hold eight or nine elephants, including space for some potential new baby elephants!”

Mai Thai is no longer a candidate for reproduction but all elephants work together to raise babies and protect the group, so she will still play a role. 

Asian elephants are endangered and only 40,000 live in the wild today, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 

Elephant paintings, painted by Mai Thai, are available for purchase and the funds will go towards supporting the International Elephant Foundations conservation efforts.