Denver Zoo welcomes new elephant Duncan

He already weighs 7,700 pounds, but Duncan — the Denver Zoo's newest Asian elephant — is the "baby" in the male herd.

Driving the news: Duncan, 9, arrived from the Houston Zoo last week, and will join a herd of five male elephants ranging in age from 13 to 53 years old.

• Young male elephants generally leave their maternal herds as they mature and join in loose "bachelor" groups often led by an older one who serves as a mentor to young elephants, according to a statement from the Zoo.
• Groucho, 53, serves as the Denver herd's leader.

The intrigue: Duncan's arrival is connected to a larger effort to help save and protect the species, which is endangered, according to the zoo.

• His move to Denver was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan.

State of play: The zoo says Duncan loves to munch on cantaloupe and alfalfa hay.

• And he's a big fan of swimming while it's raining, according to former keepers in Texas.

Buzz: The zoo also recently welcomed two Asian small-clawed otter pups, born to second-time parents Bu and Pintar.