Sedgwick County Zoo welcomes third baby elephant
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed its third baby elephant this week.
The African elephant calf was born early Tuesday morning to mother Arusi after 651 days of gestation. The average gestation period for an elephant is 18-22 months. The zoo has not yet confirmed the calf's gender.
'We are thrilled to welcome a third healthy calf,' said Katie Muninger, elephant manager at Sedgwick County Zoo. 'Three calves and three first-time moms have us all on our toes, but we're learning so much about the herd's social structure and each individual personality as we all settle into the new dynamic.'
The new calf joins Bomani, born April 10, and Kijani, born April 14. The zoo says Bomani is already excited and curious about his new herdmate.
'Bomani, along with mom Talia and Simunye were present for the birth and have been a supportive presence for Arusi,' the zoo said in a news release. 'Kijani, his mother Xolani, and other herd members have had the opportunity to see the new arrival, but they are not together in the same space at this time.'
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In April 2024, the SCZ announced that five elephants were pregnant after introducing Callee, a new male, to the herd in May 2023.
While paternity tests take time, the zoo says there's a good chance all three calves share the same father and are half-siblings.
'In alignment with breeding recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African Elephant Species Survival Plan, these additions to SCZ's herd are a reflection of the Zoo's commitment to support the health and sustainability of African elephant populations in North America,' the zoo said in the news release.
Scott Newland, the zoo's president and CEO, previously said that if the pregnancies were successful, not only would they be the first elephants ever born in Kansas, but they would be the first zoo to have five African elephant births in a single year. Unfortunately, one of the pregnancies ended in a stillbirth in March.
Visitors can expect to see at least one calf in the outdoor habitat daily, weather permitting.
The zoo plans to release the name and gender of the calf live at 9 a.m. on the Today Show.
For more information about the SCZ, visit their website or follow the zoo on Facebook.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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