Leer en español
After almost two years of waiting, Reid Park Zoo just welcomed a baby elephant.
Semba, a 30-year-old African elephant, gave birth to a female calf shortly after 3:30 a.m. Monday. The calf weighed in at 295 pounds and is healthy.
There's no name quite yet, though staff have been dabbling with a few choices. Look out for a poll to help name the calf soon.
The birth comes more than five years after the calf's big sister Nandi was born. Nandi was the first elephant born in Arizona and very quickly stole the hearts of nearly every Tucsonan.
The new calf is believed to be the second elephant born in the state.
"Semba is an experienced mother," said Director of Zoological Operations Sue Tygielski in a press release. "After 22 long months of gestation, she had smooth labor without any complications."
Read more about the calf here . Video courtesy of Reid Park Zoo
Keep reading with a digital access subscription.
The calf joins Semba, Nandi, father Mabu, big brother Sundzu and Lungile, who staff say is Nandi's and Sundzu's aunt.
Shortly after the calf was born, Semba encouraged the baby to meet and touch Nandi and Lungile. Mabu and Sundzu had the chance to see the calf later in the day.
Reid Park Zoo staff found out Semba was pregnant more than a year ago, as part of a breeding recommendation from a species survival plan. Since late February, keepers and docents have been watching Semba's every move — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Semba and her baby will continue to be monitored, as staff track things such as nursing and the baby's "firsts."
The zoo is currently closed amid the coronavirus pandemic, but will keep the community updated on social media and on reidparkzoo.org , where live webcam footage of the elephant habitat is available.
Photo gallery: Baby watch at Reid Park Zoo
80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2023
Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2023
Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2023
“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,” said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2021
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.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2021
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.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2021
Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Apr 6, 2021
Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Photos by Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
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
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
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
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
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
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Feb 8, 2021
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Jan 14, 2021
Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Jan 14, 2021
Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Jan 14, 2021
Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Jan 14, 2021
At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
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.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Penzi likes to find things around her habitat to interact with — food to eat, a log to balance on or toys to play with.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Dec 7, 2020
Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Mar 27, 2021
Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Nov 16, 2020
Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Nov 16, 2020
Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Nov 16, 2020
Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Oct 13, 2020
Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Oct 13, 2020
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.
Reid Park Zoo
Penzi
Updated
Oct 13, 2020
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.
Reid Park Zoo
Mapenzi
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
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.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Mapenzi
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
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.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
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.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
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.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
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.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Aug 16, 2022
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Sep 8, 2020
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 4, 2022
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.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 4, 2022
This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Aug 12, 2020
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.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Aug 20, 2020
Tucsonan will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 4, 2022
Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Aug 11, 2020
Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Jul 7, 2020
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.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Jul 7, 2020
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.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Aug 20, 2020
Penzi’s teeth have come in, so she’s been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Jun 10, 2020
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Jun 10, 2020
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Jun 10, 2020
Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
May 19, 2020
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is learning to cool herself down in the mud wallows, though she is still a bit cautious.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
May 12, 2020
At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
May 12, 2020
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 22, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 22, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 22, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 22, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 15, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 15, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 15, 2020
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 9, 2020
Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 9, 2020
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.
Courtesy of Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 15, 2020
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.
Courtesy of Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 9, 2020
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.
Courtesy of Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Apr 9, 2020
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.
Courtesy of Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Apr 6, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Mar 24, 2020
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.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @gloriaeknott