North American African Elephant Population 2025

“Zuberi” at Sedgwick County Zoo gave birth to a healthy female calf this morning that has been named, “Dakari”.

Sedgwick County Zoo on Instagram: "It’s a girl! We are so excited to announce the birth of a fourth, and final, healthy elephant calf - a milestone moment for the Zoo’s African Elephant herd. First-time mother, Zuberi, safely gave birth to a female calf this morning in the company of other members of the herd. The new little one is named Dakari, meaning “one who brings happiness” in Swahili. Both mother and baby are doing well so far, bonding behind the scenes as staff closely monitor their progress. We don't yet have a timeline for when they will be visible to the public, as we are allowing them time to bond inside the quiet comfort of the barn. 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. #AfricanElephant #News #BabyElephant #SedgwickCountyZoo #WichitaKS"
 
IndianRhino said:
“Zuberi” at Sedgwick County Zoo gave birth to a healthy female calf this morning that has been named, “Dakari”.

Sedgwick County Zoo on Instagram: "It’s a girl! We are so excited to announce the birth of a fourth, and final, healthy elephant calf - a milestone moment for the Zoo’s African Elephant herd. First-time mother, Zuberi, safely gave birth to a female calf this morning in the company of other members of the herd. The new little one is named Dakari, meaning “one who brings happiness” in Swahili. Both mother and baby are doing well so far, bonding behind the scenes as staff closely monitor their progress. We don't yet have a timeline for when they will be visible to the public, as we are allowing them time to bond inside the quiet comfort of the barn. 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. #AfricanElephant #News #BabyElephant #SedgwickCountyZoo #WichitaKS"
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Never seen four baby elephants born in this short time span in a North American Zoo! Moving forward this would eventually give Sedgwick seven breeding cows in the long run!
 
tigris115 said:
How do they make elephant formula?
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Kifaru Bwana said:
Are they using colostrum type elephant milk in the formula?
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There’s an interesting document here about bottle feeding elephants:

Since Sedgewick has welcomed four calves since April, it’d be interesting to know if colostrum was collected/stored from any of the other three cows as per the advice in the third paragraph:

https://www.elephantcare.org/raisingorphanelephants/chapter-4-feeding-milk

Elephant neonates have been reported to normally consume 2—10 liters of colostrum, with nursing beginning as early as 30 minutes after birth (Kinzley, 1997). Thus, strive to feed two to ten liters orally to a newborn elephant that has not nursed from the mother, preferably by bottle feeding when the calf is <6 to 12 hours old if possible, and not older than 24 to 48 hours. Note that some calves may not drink more than a total of 2 liters the first day of life. Colostrum can be interspersed with electrolyte solution feeds to ensure hydration.

If elephant colostrum cannot be obtained, colostrum from other hoofstock (bovid, equid) could be fed during the first 24 hours after birth (first 6 to 12 hours preferred), as this has been shown useful even if not species-specific in other ungulates.

In facilities with multiple breeding elephants, prior to impending births, colostrum (fresh elephant preferred; bovine or equine acceptable) can be collected and stored frozen at -20° C for up to a year prior to being warmed to body temperature for feeding.
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Has there been any update from Sedgwick on the sire of the calves? I know many of us assume it is Callee but does anyone have any confirmation?
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Got a reply from Instagram that sires of the calves have not yet been confirmed as of August 24th. Once they get results from blood tests, the zoo told me they will share the results.
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Has there been any update from Sedgwick on the sire of the calves? I know many of us assume it is Callee but does anyone have any confirmation?
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According to elephant.se, Callee is indeed the sire! Bomani has SEVEN half-siblings spread out between Omaha and Sedgwick, which proves the valuable nature of mentor bulls like Bulwagi at Birmingham, and also provided a BIG boost to the African elephant population within AZA zoos.

Edit: Make that eight - some reason I miscounted.
 
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StoppableSan said:
According to elephant.se, Callee is indeed the sire! Bomani has SEVEN half-siblings spread out between Omaha and Sedgwick, which proves the valuable nature of mentor bulls like Bulwagi at Birmingham, and also provided a BIG boost to the African elephant population within AZA zoos.
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Elephant.se is not the most reliable of sources unfortunately. It has a lot of incomplete and incorrect information that has been proven incorrect.
 
StoppableSan said:
According to elephant.se, Callee is indeed the sire! Bomani has SEVEN half-siblings spread out between Omaha and Sedgwick, which proves the valuable nature of mentor bulls like Bulwagi at Birmingham, and also provided a BIG boost to the African elephant population within AZA zoos.
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If Callee is the indeed the sire of all calves, Bomani would have eight half-siblings, not seven (Eugenia, Sonny, Mopani, Amandra, Hondo, Kijani, Dakari, and Asali).
 
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