Happy birthday, Nandi! Take a look at baby photos of the Tucson elephant
To celebrate Nandi's sixth birthday today, we decided to bring back 23 photos of her that were taken before she hit a year old.
Nandi at 11 months
Nandi, at about 925 pounds, makes trainers nervous that she will be squashed when she wallows with dad or swims with all six elephants.
Nandi and Semba
Nandi and her mother, Semba, take a stroll. The beloved baby pachyderm is getting more spunky, says Reid Park Zoo’s elephant manager, Sue Tygielski.
Nandi
Baby elephant Nandi was born at the Reid Park Zoo on Aug. 20, 2014. She was the first African elephant calf born in Arizona and videos of her antics have gone viral.
Nandi reigns in the cuteness category
In our totally biased opinion — no baby animals match the cuteness of Nandi, shown playing with her older brother, who was born at the Reid Park Zoo in August. Bet there are big plans for her first birthday.
Reid Park Zoo
Semba and her new baby, Nandi, appeared for a crowd at the Reid Park Zoo last Sept. 19, when Nandi was one day short of a month old.
Nandi
At 8 months, Nandi weighs in at 775 pounds and is still as playful as ever.
Nandi mud wallows
Nandi takes a dip in the mud. She also loves to play with boxes.
Baby elephant Nandi's party
Tucson's baby elephant Nandi celebrates her 6-month birthday at the Reid Park Zoo.
Baby elephant Nandi's party
Tucson's baby elephant Nandi celebrates her 6-month birthday at the Reid Park Zoo.
Baby elephant Nandi's party
Tucson's baby elephant Nandi celebrates her 6-month birthday at the Reid Park Zoo.
Baby elephant Nandi's party
Tucson's baby elephant Nandi celebrates her 6-month birthday at the Reid Park Zoo.
Baby elephant Nandi's party
Tucson's baby elephant Nandi celebrates her 6-month birthday at the Reid Park Zoo.
Nandi's 6-month birthday
Nandi, at 6 months, is beginning to grow up. Nursing still provides most of her nutrients, but like a good big girl, she’s trying grown-up food, stuffing hay in her mouth.
Nandi and Punga
Nandi hangs with her older brothers, Sundzu and Punga.
Nandi and Sundzu
Nandi plays with her older brother Sundzu. — Credit: Courtesy of the Reid Park Zoo
Nandi
Nandi is learning to hoist herself over logs, front feet first, but sometimes needs a push from Mom, “like a parent helping a kid on the playground,” says Sue Tygielski, zoo elephant manager.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, left, walks through the grass with another elephant on Sept. 28, 2014.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, stands next to another elephant on Sept. 28, 2014.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, walks happily through the elephant exhibit on Sept. 28, 2014.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, uses her trunk to wrestle an ice chunk filled with meat and other snacks on Sept. 28, 2014.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, left, stands next to another elephant as it finishes eating from a feeding hole on Sept. 28, 2014.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's newest member, Nandi, the baby African elephant, left, stands next to another elephant as it eats from a feeding hole on Sept. 28, 2014.
Nandi
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