Baby’s first mud wallow — it’s a milestone marker in the elephant world.
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant Mapenzi decided to get in for the first time on her 4-month birthday.
Also in the last month, Mapenzi has continued to bond with big sister, Nandi, and has discovered a new treat.
Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined Nandi, dad Mabu, aunt Lungile, and brother Sundzu.
The Star is documenting Penzi’s milestones each month until she’s a 1-year -old.
Becoming braver
After months of being quite timid around the deeper mud wallows, 546-pound Penzi finally got in.
“We were watching her get closer and closer,” elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds said last week. “And yesterday, she got in there with Nandi. Everyone was really excited about that — that she’s getting brave.”
Dodds wouldn’t say Penzi is “super confident” in the mud wallows — and especially the pools — quite yet, but she’s taking baby steps to get there.
In June, Penzi was still a bit hesitant to move around the habitat by herself. But now, keepers are seeing her roam more independently — “not always underneath her mom,” says Dodds.
She still likes being right next to Nandi, though.
“She wants to be attached and learning everything Nandi is doing,” almost trying to copy her big sister, says Dodds.
And as you can imagine, Penzi is still very energetic.
“I watched her run onto habitat today and she runs faster than her legs can keep up,” Dodds says. “She’s definitely full speed everywhere she goes.”
Staff built a new toy for Penzi a couple weeks ago — a woven ball made from a fire hose.
“She played with that for an hour and when she got tired of playing with it, she laid on her side and played with it with her feet instead,” Dodds says.
And rainy days are especially fun for the elephants — Dodds says they all tend to get very playful.
If the storm is severe, keepers will give them access to the barn, but the elephants typically opt to play in the rain and mud instead.
Video courtesy of Reid Park Zoo. Read our latest update about baby elephant Penzi here: http://tucne.ws/1fjr
Interacting with the herd, keepers
Nandi has typically shown a motherly side toward Penzi, but in the last month, the two sisters have been more playful with each other.
“It’s a new side of their relationship,” Dodds says. “She’s discovered Nandi as a playmate a little more.”
Keepers have watched them splash in puddles and roll downhill — and face planting in the grass — together.
Penzi is also very social with the other elephants and spends a lot of time with Lungile.
In June, zoo staff started to work more with Penzi’s training, which is completely voluntary for the elephants and is done with positive reinforcement. Training sessions are helpful because they allow keepers to assess the elephants and ensure they’re healthy.
Penzi lets her keepers do exams, such as drawing blood, which Dodds says is a “really great achievement for her at this age.”
And she’s starting to let keepers get a look at her feet by lifting her legs up.
“It’s a good indication of training because she’s learning to present different parts of her body,” Dodds says.
Penzi’s favorite reward is the scratches of a big brush from her keepers, but she’s also been into a new snack.
In June, her favorite food was lettuce. But now she’s getting into beet pulp, which is the root of a sugar beet that’s soaked into an oatmeal-like texture.
“She gets a little excited about tasting new things,” Dodds says.
World Elephant Day is today, Aug. 12, and Dodds said she hopes Penzi is seen as an ambassador for the species to help raise awareness for wildlife conservation.
Reid Park Zoo is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Keep up with the zoo at reidparkzoo.org or facebook.com/ReidParkZoo.
80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
Penzi
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Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Penzi
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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.
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.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Penzi
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Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Penzi
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As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi
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At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
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Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Penzi
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Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Penzi
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Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Penzi
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Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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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.
Penzi
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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.
Mapenzi
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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.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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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
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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
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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.