MIAMI – An Asian elephant named Dalip is celebrating his 50th birthday all weekend at Zoo Miami.
Dalip, which is Hindi for "king," arrived at the old Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne in August 1967 as a young calf, along with a female elephant named Seetna.
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The elephants were donated to the zoo by philanthropist Ralph Scott, who paid the government of India $2,500 for each animal.
Celebrations of Dalip's birthday will last all weekend at Zoo Miami, beginning Friday with a massive birthday cake, although he was born on June 8, 1966.
Dalip was born in a zoo in the state of Kerala in India. He fathered a calf with Seetna in July 1980 before moving to the newly opened Miami Metrozoo, now called Zoo Miami, later that year with his family.
Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill said the pair had to be evacuated to different institutions in 1992 because of damage to the zoo from Hurricane Andrew.
Seetna remained at the institution to which she was sent for breeding purposes, and Dalip returned in June 1995 to Miami, where he has remained ever since.
Dalip weighs about 12,650 pounds, and his age is remarkable because the median age of Asian elephants in the U.S. is 40.
Zoo Miami's festivities for Dalip's birthday this weekend include special keeper talks, crafts for children, singing "Happy Birthday" with free cupcakes at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday while supplies last, a raffle and a silent auction for an elephant painting.
A behind-the-scenes tour will also be offered, as well as a dance-off each day at 2 p.m. Visitors can also sign a banner with their best wishes.