“I had no idea that a cleft palate was life threatening,” Scott Matlick of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern Arizona told me when we met to talk about the people who the nonprofit helps.
He told me about August, a baby born with cleft palate who had trouble feeding and breathing. His mother, Zoe, had been able to stay at Ronald McDonald House while August was in the hospital. She valued having people there for her when she came back to the house to eat, sleep and shower. “Some days August would not be doing well, and having supportive people there was invaluable,” Scott shared.
It is clear that Scott loves what Ronald McDonald House Charities does for the Southern Arizona community. He told me about the fundraising event where elementary schools collected pop tabs to raise money for families for the nonprofit. He remembers when the elementary school from the small community of Morenci — where Zoe is from — won.
Locale Neighborhood Italian will open to the public on Friday, Dec. 3. The restaurant's opening will mark the first time the building located at 60 N. Alvernon Way will have been used since 2015 - minus a short two month venture in 2018. The restaurant will also offer a cafe and bakery. (Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star)
This year, Zoe returned with a new baby who had different medical needs. Because of COVID-19, the Ronald McDonald House was closed. But funders stepped up to the challenge and enabled the nonprofit to put Zoe in a hotel. The house is open again, but volunteers cannot come in to make food like they used to. Instead they provide guests with gift cards — especially ones to local restaurants so they can support local businesses whenever possible. This is one of their biggest needs right now — gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations.
August made it through the medical treatments and is thriving. The new baby is also doing well. And while it is the medical treatments that saved their lives, it was the Ronald McDonald House community that provided mom with solace, support and caring during a scary, heart-wrenching time.
80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
Penzi
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Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
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Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Penzi
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“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,” said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
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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.
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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.
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Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
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Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
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As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
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Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
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Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Penzi
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Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Penzi
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Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
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Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
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At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
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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
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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
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Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi
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Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
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Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
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Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
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Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
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Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
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Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
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Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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
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Tucsonan will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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
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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
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Penzi’s teeth have come in, so she’s been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
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Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
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Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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
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At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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
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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
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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
Updated
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
