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Now six months old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant has found a new focus β€” foraging for food around her habitat.

Mapenzi is a big fan of lettuce, cucumber, branches and hay β€” eating the hay quickly and in big mouthfuls. In August, Mapenzi’s food preferences were changing daily, but she’s starting to become less picky.

Mapenzi β€” Penzi for short β€” was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined sister Nandi, dad Mabu, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.

The Star is documenting Penzi’s milestones each month until she’s 1 year old.

Mapenzi, the four month old elephant calf, playing in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo on Aug. 25, 2020. (Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star)
The day-to-day

Penzi is still energetic and playful but in the last month has shifted some of her energy away from playtime to foraging, eating and exploring her environment.

β€œShe’s getting really strong, and she’s getting really independent,” says elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds.

Despite her growing independence, Penzi has started to shift from playing alone to interacting and socializing with the rest of the herd.

There was one moment in September when Penzi and Nandi were playing together β€” both lying side by side and wrestling their feet together, β€œdoing little bits of sparring,” Dodds says, adding that Penzi has been involved in a bit more β€œmature play” lately.

β€œThe boys are less social with her, but she likes to interact with them,” Dodds says. β€œShe prefers to follow Nandi around and spend time with Lungile, especially during foraging time.”

Lungile is patient with Penzi, allowing the calf to eat right under her. Nandi, on the other hand, tends to be a bit more territorial with food, though she’s learning to share with her little sister.

Penzi is also beginning to understand the day’s routine.

β€œWhen we move the elephants from out on habitat into the barn, we call their names and they come to us. (Penzi) is starting to understand that,” Dodds says, adding that Penzi will run in at β€œtop speed.”

β€œShe gets really excited to go in and out of the barn and, more recently, when we call her and she finally gets into the barn, she’ll celebrate. She’ll trumpet because she’s really excited to have done that part of the day.”

Penzi did her first trumpet β€” an excited, playful noise β€” in August. She’s been doing it a couple times a week since then.

β€œWe are hearing her use that communication skill a little bit more,” Dodds says.

Reid Park Zoo

Mapenzi -Penzi para abreviar- naciΓ³ del elefante africano Semba, el 6 de abril. Se uniΓ³ a su hermana Nandi, su padre Mabu, su hermano Sundzu y la tΓ­a Lungile.
Training sessions

Training sessions at Reid Park Zoo are voluntary for the elephants and done through positive reinforcement. The sessions are especially helpful for keepers to examine the elephants and ensure they’re healthy.

Currently, keepers are teaching Penzi what a β€œbridge” is.

A bridge is used in training to show the elephant that they did something correctly, Dodds explains.

β€œIn our training program, we use a whistle,” Dodds says. β€œIf she does something correct, we give her a whistle. She’s learning every time we give that whistle, she gets a treat. We use that whistle if she’s being calm and focused and holding still.”

In previous months, it was difficult for Penzi to hold still. But as she came up on her 6-month birthday, she was able to stay still for 10 minutes β€” β€œbeing very gentle and allowing our vet to get really good exams,” Dodds says.

Reid Park Zoo has re-opened, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Visit reidparkzoo.org for more information.

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Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235.

On Twitter: @gloriaeknott