Zoo Blog

Meru Has Entered the Pool

Posted September 13, 2024 by Reid Park Zoo & filed under In the News, Animal Updates, Elephant Calf.

Elephant Meru made a huge splash for her first time in the pool this past week! At six months old, the youngest elephant of the herd practiced using her trunk to splash around… more ›

Elephant Calf Named “Meru” in Community Poll 

Posted April 17, 2024 by Reid Park Zoo & filed under Elephant Calf, In the News.

The African elephant calf born at Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo on March 8 has been named “Meru,” after Tanzania’s “Mount Meru.”  “Our team really fell in love with the name Meru for the… more ›

Elephant Calf Born at Reid Park Zoo

Posted March 8, 2024 by Chelo Grubb & filed under Elephant Calf, In the News.

Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is excited to announce that Semba, the Zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a 265 pound calf at 3:31 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024. The… more ›

A Baby Elephant is Due at Reid Park Zoo in Spring 2024 

Posted May 11, 2023 by Chelo Grubb & filed under Elephant Calf, Animal Updates, In the News.

Reid Park Zoo is expecting one big baby: Semba, the matriarch of Reid Park Zoo’s African elephant herd, is pregnant. Semba came from the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park in 2012 for the… more ›

Celebrate Penzi’s First Birthday!

Posted March 19, 2021 by Chelo Grubb & filed under Elephant Calf.

Happy 1st Birthday to Tucson’s Big Baby, Penzi the African Elephant Calf Penzi was born on April 6, 2020. Her birth inspired hope and joy for many during a difficult time, and people… more ›

Penzi & Nandi Playing in the Mud

Posted October 21, 2020 by Chelo Grubb & filed under Elephant Calf, Bringing the Zoo to You.

Throwback to Nandi and Penzi playing in the mud on this hot day in August! Now at 6 months old, Penzi is a little more coordinated than she used to be, but sometimes… more ›

Elephant Calf Penzi is Six Months Old!

Posted October 6, 2020 by Reid Park Zoo & filed under Elephant Calf.

Penzi is six months old today! Over the last month, she’s been spending more time foraging, playing more with the herd (instead of on her own), and has been more vocal. We hope… more ›

Penzi Learns Another Elephant Skill!

Posted September 29, 2020 by Sam Wilber & filed under Elephant Calf, Bringing the Zoo to You.

Elephant calf Penzi just learned another important skill! She has figured out how to use her trunk to throw dirt on her back in a behavior called “dusting”. This natural skill helps keep… more ›

Penzi Takes on a Large Branch

Posted September 19, 2020 by Sam Wilber & filed under Elephant Calf, Bringing the Zoo to You.

Looks like Penzi bit off a little more than she can chew! While adult elephants can easily consume twigs and branches, little Penzi still has lots of growing to do before she could… more ›

Penzi Plays with a Clump of Grass

Posted September 10, 2020 by Sam Wilber & filed under Bringing the Zoo to You, Elephant Calf.

Penzi found another fun thing to play with! Turns out that a clump of grass makes an excellent elephant toy, and Penzi spent lots of time tossing it around and trying to chew… more ›