Baby Elephant Practicing for the World Cup Is on Fire
Is anything cuter than watching animals play with toys? Many zoo babies (and some adults) are given toys as part of their enrichment, and we all get the pleasure of watching. Elephants, in particular, are extremely intelligent and have a remarkably complex social structure, which also allows them to enjoy different kinds of play, like painting and music.
Lady Bird, the baby elephant at the Fort Worth Zoo, has gone viral numerous times for her fun and games. In this clip, she has discovered her love of soccer, just in time for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which heads to Dallas this summer (right next door to her home in Fort Worth). The caption explains, "Did someone tell Lady Bird that the World Cup is coming to town???" We get to watch her kick, lie on, and trunk the ball around. It begs the question: Is it legal to use her trunk to score a goal?
@fortworthzoo Did someone tell Lady Bird that the World Cup is coming to town??? : Keeper Christine
original sound - fortworthzoo
Toward the end of the clip, Lady Bird lets out a little cheer with her trunk, sparking a top comment from @Ms. Lacy, who gushed, "Her little trunk toot." @jared29132 got into Lady Bird's head, "'Wanna see a cool trick?' *shows off epic ball skills*." Epic is right! Meanwhile, @Connections Academy pointed out the cutest part of the video with, "Her little hairdo looks amazing."
Viewers also discussed what she might have been trying to do with the ball, with one user, @Michele, positing, "I think she wanted to lie on the ball and have it roll her around. What a cutie! I love her awkwardness." It was @ijeds, though, who had the best takeaway: "I've seen enough. Call her up. We need some good left wingback depth." She's joining the team!
Related: Baby Elephant's Pure Love for Brand New Toy Couldn't Be Sweeter
How Smart Are Elephants?
Elephants love to play, paint, and do puzzles, which begs the question: How smart are they? How Stuff Works put out a list of the most intelligent beings on Earth, ranking elephants up there with dolphins and chimpanzees. It doesn't come down to one factor, but instead, it stems from a combination of different types of smarts.
As How Stuff Works explains, "They can clean their food and use tools in various ways in the wild and follow human commands in captivity. Elephants are also extremely caring and empathetic to[ward] other members of their group and to other species, which is considered a highly advanced form of intelligence. They thrive as a team." Lady Bird's baller skills are further proof of the genius of her species!
SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 6:20 AM.