Nile Hippo Expert
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The zoo's three elephant calves, Bomani, Kijani, and Asali, all shared habitat for the first time today. They look absolutely adorable!
Sedgwick County Zoo Sedgwick County Zoo News 2025
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Six Cape Twig Snakes have hatched at Sedgwick. A first for the zoo - reported on their FB page.
Female African elephant “Zuberi” gave birth to her first calf this morning, a healthy female that has been named, “Dakari”. This is the zoo’s 4th surviving African elephant calf of the year.
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"
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"
The Horse Boy
Well-Known Member
I still would have preferred it if she was called Tantor to engage the guests over the popular Disney movie.
So long as Dakari's happy and healthy, that's all that matters. Sedgwick and Omaha both have the makings of some incredible multigenerational herds!
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Since her birth, Dakari has been bonding closely with her mom, Zuberi. Zuberi is showing excellent maternal instincts - protective, supportive, and always attentive. Dakari, however, is still working on one important milestone: nursing. It’s not unusual for calves to take a little extra time before they learn how to nurse appropriately, so in the meantime, our team is providing supplemental feedings. Stay tuned for a behind the scenes look at how our care team is managing round-the-clock care to support both Dakari and Zuberi through this time."
Haliaeetus
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Nile Hippo Expert
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End of an era, the zoo’s last Nile Hippo, 53-year-old Sweetie Pie, has passed away, marking the end of the zoo keeping Nile Hippos. She was the oldest living Nile Hippo in an AZA-accredited Zoo. 
Sweetie Pie, the hippo, dies at Sedgwick County Zoo
Sweetie Pie, the hippo, dies at Sedgwick County Zoo
ZooNew2004
Active Member
End of an era, the zoo’s last Nile Hippo, 53-year-old Sweetie Pie, has passed away, marking the end of the zoo keeping Nile Hippos. She was the oldest living Nile Hippo in an AZA-accredited Zoo.
Sweetie Pie, the hippo, dies at Sedgwick County Zoo
I wonder what they're going to do with the hippo enclosure, now that their last one has died.
Haliaeetus
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Nile Hippo Expert
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Nile Hippo Expert
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Nile Hippo Expert
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African Elephant Dakari made her public habitat debut earlier this week and has been introduced to Xolani and her half-brother Kijani.
Sedgwick County Zoo on Instagram: "Dakari has reached a new milestone - venturing into the public habitat! Yesterday, she could be seen outside with her mother, Zuberi, as well as Xolani and Kijani. While she won't be in this public habitat daily, this update is a big step (literally) in her development."
Sedgwick County Zoo on Instagram: "Dakari has reached a new milestone - venturing into the public habitat! Yesterday, she could be seen outside with her mother, Zuberi, as well as Xolani and Kijani. While she won't be in this public habitat daily, this update is a big step (literally) in her development."
Other 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On June 30th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) Chacoan peccary named Fiona from Los Angeles Zoo in California, which is on exhibit.
65K views · 1.4K reactions | Say hello to the newest member of our peccary family - Fiona! Thanks to Cox, tomorrow is Twilight Tuesday, so you can come see her for just $5 from 9am - 8:30pm. We'll see you here! Video Credit: Keeper Madisyn #sedgwickcountyzoo #wichitazoo #discount #peccary | Sedgwick County Zoo
On July 9th, it was announced that the zoo acquired (2.2) giant horned lizards and (0.2) magnificent tree frogs from Los Angeles Zoo.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/3-Animal-Transaction-Report-7.2025-1.pdf
On July 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a female (0.1) eastern hellbender to Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York on April 15th.
https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/Summer-2025-MyZoo.pdf
On August 11th, the zoo announced their former Executive Director of 25 years (1991-2016), Mark C. Reed, sadly passed away on August 8th due to cancer. He began working at Sedgwick in 1979, and had his hand in multiple projects at the facility.
Sedgwick County Zoo
https://www.kansas.com/news/local/news-local-obituaries/article311689235.html
On September 10th, the zoo announced that a Cape coral cobra hatched, which is off-show.
18K views · 447 reactions | We are so excited to announce the arrival of a new Cape Coral Cobra hatchling! In their natural habitat, these little elapids live in southwestern African savannahs and grasslands. During the day, they hide under rocks or in burrows to escape the heat, then come out at night to hunt for their favorite meal - lizards! This is our fifth year successfully hatching these incredible snakes, and while our newest hatchling will be hanging out behind the scenes for now, you can see two of our subadult cobras on display in their public habitat. #Hatchling #CapeCoralCobra #SedgwickCountyZoo #Herpetology #Snake #Reptile #Zoo | Sedgwick County Zoo
On September 27th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) leucistic spectacled owl named Nieve, which is now on exhibit.
Sedgwick County Zoo
On April 24th, the zoo announced that 2 Arapawa goats, as well as 2+? sheep (breed(s) not specified) were born, which are on exhibit.
Sedgwick County Zoo
On May 22nd, the zoo announced that a male (1.0) Arapawa goat named Mercury was born in early May. The zoo also announced that (0.2) Arapawa goats were born, with one later named Mira.
Sedgwick County Zoo
On August 7th, the zoo announced they acquired a male (1.0) Large Black pig named Orion from LIttle Schull Farm on the Prairie in Indiana, which is on display next to the Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs in the Children's Farm area.
16K views · 450 reactions | Meet Orion. Orion is a four-month-old Large Black Pig who came to us from LIttle Schull Farm On The Prairie, LLC in Indiana. He recently moved into his new home, next to our Glouchestershire Old Spot Pigs in our Children's Farm, with the hopes of introducing them as he settles and grows. Beyond his adorable looks, Orion represents an important conservation message. Large Black Pigs are listed as critically rare by the Livestock Conservancy, with fewer than 300 individuals in the U.S.! #HeritageBreed #Orion #LargeBlackPig #SedgwickCountyZoo #WichitaKS | Sedgwick County Zoo
Sedgwick County Zoo
On May 22nd, the zoo announced that a male (1.0) Arapawa goat named Mercury was born in early May. The zoo also announced that (0.2) Arapawa goats were born, with one later named Mira.
Sedgwick County Zoo
On August 7th, the zoo announced they acquired a male (1.0) Large Black pig named Orion from LIttle Schull Farm on the Prairie in Indiana, which is on display next to the Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs in the Children's Farm area.
16K views · 450 reactions | Meet Orion. Orion is a four-month-old Large Black Pig who came to us from LIttle Schull Farm On The Prairie, LLC in Indiana. He recently moved into his new home, next to our Glouchestershire Old Spot Pigs in our Children's Farm, with the hopes of introducing them as he settles and grows. Beyond his adorable looks, Orion represents an important conservation message. Large Black Pigs are listed as critically rare by the Livestock Conservancy, with fewer than 300 individuals in the U.S.! #HeritageBreed #Orion #LargeBlackPig #SedgwickCountyZoo #WichitaKS | Sedgwick County Zoo
On June 30th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) Chacoan peccary named Fiona from Los Angeles Zoo in California, which is on exhibit.
65K views · 1.4K reactions | Say hello to the newest member of our peccary family - Fiona! Thanks to Cox, tomorrow is Twilight Tuesday, so you can come see her for just $5 from 9am - 8:30pm. We'll see you here! Video Credit: Keeper Madisyn #sedgwickcountyzoo #wichitazoo #discount #peccary | Sedgwick County Zoo
On July 9th, it was announced that the zoo acquired (2.2) giant horned lizards and (0.2) magnificent tree frogs from Los Angeles Zoo.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/3-Animal-Transaction-Report-7.2025-1.pdf
On July 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a female (0.1) eastern hellbender to Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York on April 15th.
https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/Summer-2025-MyZoo.pdf
On August 11th, the zoo announced their former Executive Director of 25 years (1991-2016), Mark C. Reed, sadly passed away on August 8th due to cancer. He began working at Sedgwick in 1979, and had his hand in multiple projects at the facility.
Sedgwick County Zoo
https://www.kansas.com/news/local/news-local-obituaries/article311689235.html
On September 10th, the zoo announced that a Cape coral cobra hatched, which is off-show.
18K views · 447 reactions | We are so excited to announce the arrival of a new Cape Coral Cobra hatchling! In their natural habitat, these little elapids live in southwestern African savannahs and grasslands. During the day, they hide under rocks or in burrows to escape the heat, then come out at night to hunt for their favorite meal - lizards! This is our fifth year successfully hatching these incredible snakes, and while our newest hatchling will be hanging out behind the scenes for now, you can see two of our subadult cobras on display in their public habitat. #Hatchling #CapeCoralCobra #SedgwickCountyZoo #Herpetology #Snake #Reptile #Zoo | Sedgwick County Zoo
On September 27th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) leucistic spectacled owl named Nieve, which is now on exhibit.
Sedgwick County Zoo
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Faith, the zoo's 21-year-old Milking Devon cow, has died after a decline in her health.
https://www.kake.com/home/sedgwick-...cle_1aea17af-e838-4f19-8b35-2995fda71bff.html
https://www.kake.com/home/sedgwick-...cle_1aea17af-e838-4f19-8b35-2995fda71bff.html
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
In a few weeks time, construction is beginning for expansions to their elephant barn, which will double the barn size from 19,000 square feet to 38,000 square feet, and allow space for a few more elephants.
Sedgwick County Zoo to expand elephant barn after historic year of births
Sedgwick County Zoo to expand elephant barn after historic year of births
Diagram of plans to expand elephant herd barn:
Source: Sedgwick Zoo Expands Elephant Barn as Herd Grows | KCLY Radio
More than double the size is a huge improvement!Diagram of plans to expand elephant herd barn:
Source: Sedgwick Zoo Expands Elephant Barn as Herd Grows | KCLY Radio
Sedgewick currently holds ten elephants, so doing the calculations, this should at least allow Sedgewick to grow their herd into it's 20s eventually (that should be the goal with all of this new space imo). That would give them one of the biggest captive breeding herds of African Elephants.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
This is really just a barn space expansion, but I have heard the intended capacity is to fit 15 elephants comfortably, the existing barn is slightly small for their current herd of eleven.