80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
Happy birthday, Penzi! Elephant calf Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Penzi
Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Penzi
Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Penzi
“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,” said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Penzi
Although Penzi plays with Nandi the most, she's had good interactions with the rest of the herd. Pictured with Nandi here are Lungile and Semba.
Penzi
At 11 months old, Penzi is starting to get her tusks, her favorite food is cucumber and she still loves to play with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Penzi
Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Penzi
As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Penzi
Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Penzi
Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Penzi
Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Penzi
Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi
At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined sister Nandi, dad Mabu, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.
Penzi
Penzi likes to find things around her habitat to interact with — food to eat, a log to balance on or toys to play with.
Penzi
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi
Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Penzi
Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Penzi
Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Penzi
Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Penzi
Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
Penzi
Reid Park Zoo
Mapenzi -Penzi para abreviar- nació del elefante africano Semba, el 6 de abril. Se unió a su hermana Nandi, su padre Mabu, su hermano Sundzu y la tía Lungile.
Penzi
Reid Park Zoo
A los seis meses, la cría de elefante Mapenzi se ha convertido en una gran aficionada a la lechuga, el pepino y el heno.
Mapenzi
Born weighing 295 pounds, Mapenzi has doubled that five months later, now weighing 600 pounds. The Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, reopened at the end of August.
Mapenzi
Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, walks through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi (left), the four-month-old elephant calf, and her sister Nandi inside their enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs with the rest of her herd at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Four-month-old Mapenzi enjoys hanging out with big sister Nandi. "She wants to be attached and learning everything Nandi is doing," said Reid Park Zoo elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
At 4 months old, Mapenzi weighs 546 pounds. She enjoys eating beet pulp, which is the root of a sugar beet soaked into an oatmeal-like texture.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Tucsonan will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Penzi continues to be timid around deep mud wallows but she has started to creep up to the side. Reid Park Zoo staff creates smaller puddles for her.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
At 3 months old, Mapenzi — Penzi for short — is learning to come when Reid Park Zoo keepers call her and has voluntarily allowed staff to draw blood without giving any reaction.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Penzi’s teeth have come in, so she’s been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is learning to cool herself down in the mud wallows, though she is still a bit cautious.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Shelby Maerling, left, and Savannah Beck, elephant care professionals, conduct their morning routine health checks on Samba, left, and Nandi, both African elephants, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Semba, an African elephant, walks around her enclosure at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex, height or weight of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Ann Forsberg-Doyle, a docent, keeps a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo
Martha Hendricks, left, and Ann Forsberg-Doyle, both docents, keep a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. With arm gestures, Maerling has Semba walk backwards. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Savannah Beck, a lead elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Nandi, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Nandi's mother, Semba, is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Martha Hendricks, a docent, records on a tablet that Semba, an African elephant, was eating at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Almost two years later, the zoo's newest bundle of joy has arrived!
Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team has come up with three name options, all derived from Swahili. Cast your vote now.
Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team has come up with three name options, all derived from Swahili. Cast your vote now.
El equipo de cuidado de elefantes de Reid Park Zoo ha creado tres opciones de nombre, todas derivadas del swahili. Emite tu voto ahora.
The Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team came up with three name options and asked the community to choose their favorite.
The Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team came up with three name options and asked the community to choose their favorite.
El equipo de cuidado de elefantes del Reid Park Zoo ideó tres opciones de nombre y le pidió a la comunidad que eligiera su favorito.
Now a month old, Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf is fast — but "not quite as coordinated as she is fast."
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant has pretty much mastered using her trunk and is becoming a bit more coordinated.
At 3 months old, Penzi has a new favorite food and has learned how to cool herself down in Tucson's summer heat.
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant Penzi is now 4 months old and still as playful as ever.
Reid Park Zoo's cute baby elephant Penzi is now 4 months old and still as playful as ever. Mapenzi and her big sister Nandi were both born in Tucson, to the delight of locals. Reid Park Zoo is still closed.
After a five month closure, the Reid Park Zoo will officially reopen Aug. 28, inviting the public to visit with the animals for the first time since March.
After a five-month closure, Reid Park Zoo reopened to the public last month with many guests beaming at their first sight of elephant calf Mapenzi.
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Mapenzi has been exploring her environment and socializing with the rest of the herd more.
Penzi's favorite food last month? Hand-picked Bermuda grass 🌱
Our spirits need lifting these days.
Along with our food and clothing bank, IMPACT of Southern Arizona also provides job resourcing and other vital services.
“I had no idea that a cleft palate was life threatening,” Scott Matlick of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern Arizona told me when w…
Donations allow The Haven to help women recover from their disease and return to their lives as mothers, sisters, and daughters.
The coalition is a collective group of non-profits serving a variety of important missions across Southern Arizona.
During the pandemic, El Rio Health has provided over 28,000 COVID tests, cared for thousands of families and implemented a tele-health program for at-risk patients.
Funding will be used to support teachers, buy sleeping bags for homeless and provide medical equipment to those in need.
Although 9-month-old Penzi has been more food-motivated in the last month, she still has time to make muddy slip-and-slides with her sister Nandi.
Beyond the exciting snow day last month, Penzi spent January learning elephant etiquette, indulging in food and interacting more with her brother.
In a letter, the Reid Park Zoological Society's chair showed how out of touch the zoo is with public sentiment about its expansion into Reid Park. The council knows enough local history to pause the controversial project.
Giraffes at Reid Park Zoo got to prance around in some light rain during one of Tucson's calmer monsoon storms.
Semba, the matriarch of Reid Park Zoo's African elephant herd, is pregnant, officials announced Thursday.
Save the Heart of Reid Park — a nonprofit advocating for preserving park space — is calling for Tucson’s mayor and council to expand the Reid Park Zoo north into its existing parking lot instead of building over green space.
Tucson's city manager recommended the cheaper option for the Reid Park Zoo expansion, but it could sacrifice up to 4.5 acres of open park space. It's only cheaper because that land is given no dollar value.