Zoo Blog

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

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

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 ›

How Elephant Calf Penzi Celebrated her First Birthday

Posted April 7, 2021 by Reid Park Zoo & filed under Animal Updates, Special Events, Elephant Calf.

  Happy first birthday, Penzi! Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating over the last few days! This not-so-little elephant has brought incredible joy to our community as she splashes in… 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 Bringing the Zoo to You, Elephant Calf.

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 Bringing the Zoo to You, Elephant Calf.

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 ›

Penzi Plays With a Ball of Twigs

Posted September 4, 2020 by Sam Wilber & filed under Bringing the Zoo to You, Elephant Calf.

Elephant calf Penzi recently discovered a round clump of twigs! She had fun dragging and rolling them around while her family browsed on larger branches.

Listen to our Elephants Communicate with Rumbles!

Posted August 30, 2020 by Sam Wilber & filed under Elephant Calf, Bringing the Zoo to You.

Listen close! There is some interesting elephant behavior in this quick clip. Mother elephant Semba walks by, but her young calf Penzi doesn’t follow. Turn your sound on to hear Semba emit a… more ›