The Sedgwick County Zoo (SCZ), announced the birth of a fourth healthy elephant calf, a milestone moment for the Zoo’s African Elephant herd. First-time mother Zuberi safely gave birth to a female calf at 7:24 a.m. Friday morning in the company of other members of the herd.
The new calf is named Dakari, meaning “one who brings happiness” in Swahili.
Both mother and baby are doing well so far. Visitors will not be able to see Zuberi and Dakari right away, as the team is allowing mother and baby time to bond privately. SCZ will provide updates on its social media channels, including details on when the public can meet the new arrival.
“This is an exciting and joyous day for our Zoo and our community,” said Scott Newland, President and CEO. “Each elephant birth is an incredible achievement, representing hope for the future of this endangered species. We’re proud of our dedicated animal care team and the role they play in the efforts to sustain the African elephant population in North America.”
Sedgwick County Zoo has had a busy year so far, having welcomed a total of four calves into the herd in the span of just over four months, setting a record among accredited zoos. Zuberi is the final mother in the herd to give birth, wrapping up this year’s big baby boom.
“Now that our fourth and final calf is here safely, the fun can truly begin,” added Katie Muninger, Elephant Care Manager. “We’ve all been holding our breath and crossing our fingers that everything would go well with the final birth and we’re so thankful to have four healthy calves now.”
Dakari’s birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African elephant Species Survival Plan, which ensures the long-term sustainability of elephants in human care and reflects the Zoo’s commitment to support the health and sustainability of African elephant populations in North America.