Playful Elephants at Fort Worth Zoo Kick Around a Soccer Ball Just in Time for the World Cup
Just in time for the World Cup, two very special soccer stars are stealing hearts online, and what makes these fans even cooler is that they have trunks instead of feet. Bluebonnet and her calf, Lady Bird, were spotted kicking a giant soccer ball around at the Fort Worth Zoo, and the adorable duo looks like they're getting ready to represent Team USA in their next match.
Bluebonnet is a natural, using both her trunk and her feet to show off some surprisingly impressive ball-handling skills. Little Lady Bird seems a bit less committed to a future soccer career, but watching her test out the giant ball is guaranteed to brighten your day.
@fortworthzoo Be honest … should Bluebonnet join the USMNT yes or no? With the specially painted enrichment boomer ball, Bluebonnet showed her fancy footwork and trunk-work skills, while Lady Bird didn't seem quite as sure about the bright ball - but she gave it a try! As soccer fans from around the globe flock to DFW over the next month, we invite them to come create memories between matches at the Fort Worth Zoo! There are animals and adventure at every turn, making it unforgettable fun for the whole family!
original sound - fortworthzoo
Fort Worth Zoo shared more in the caption. "Be honest … should Bluebonnet join the USMNT yes or no?
With the specially painted enrichment boomer ball, Bluebonnet showed her fancy footwork and trunk-work skills, while Lady Bird didn't seem quite as sure about the bright ball - but she gave it a try!
As soccer fans from around the globe flock to DFW over the next month, we invite them to come create memories between matches at the Fort Worth Zoo! There are animals and adventure at every turn, making it unforgettable fun for the whole family!"
We wish we lived closer so we could come for a visit!
Related: Fort Worth Zoo's New Baby Elephant Gets His First Swim Lesson and It's Pure Joy
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Why Do Elephants Love Playing With Balls?
According to the Journal of African Elephants, elephants are incredibly intelligent and curious animals that thrive on mental stimulation and play, and they take playtime very seriously!
One important form of play is object play, which involves using items from one's environment for fun and exploration. As the journal explains, "For an elephant, this object might take the form of a stick or branch that the elephant explores, carries or throws with its trunk. In captivity, elephants enjoy playing with balls or hauling inner tubes around for fun."
These large enrichment toys encourage elephants to explore, solve problems, and exercise using their trunks, feet, and even their tusks, while also helping prevent boredom in captivity.
Young calves like Lady Bird learn by watching and copying their mothers. Seeing Bluebonnet enthusiastically play with the soccer ball encouraged Lady Bird to give it a try herself. She may not have been quite as interested as Mom, but these interactions help baby elephants build strength, coordination, confidence, and the skills they'll need as they grow into adulthood.
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM.