(Omaha, NE) -- A new baby elephant joins the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium family.
The zoo says just after 11:30 Friday morning, 18 year old African elephant Kiki gave birth to the calf and that both mom and baby are doing well. Zoo officials say the gender and weight of the calf are unknown at this time. The calf is the first elephant ever born at the Henry Doorly Zoo. Callee, the father, is 21 years old and joined the zoo in 2019.
Zoo leaders say animal Care Staff implemented a 24-hour watch for Kiki Thursday, when they noticed a continual drop in her progesterone levels, indicating labor would take place soon. Kiki delivered the calf with all females in the herd present. The Zoo is also awaiting the arrival of a second African elephant calf due this winter.
At this time, the Elephant Family Quarters will remain closed to the public to allow Animal Care Staff time to observe bonding, maternal behaviors and nursing. The zoo says visitors will have the opportunity to reserve a timed ticket to see the calf with the herd in the Elephant Family Quarters once reopened. Updates about the elephants and timed ticketing will be provided via media alerts and the Zoo’s social media pages as additional information becomes available.