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GREAT NEWS! A baby African elephant was born to Umngani on September 26, 2011! See video...

Elephant Blog

A herd of seven African elephants, born in Kruger National Park in South Africa, was translocated to Swaziland in 1994. When scheduled to be culled due to overpopulation, the herd was brought to San Diego on a truly "jumbo" plane in August 2003. A fellow herdmate from Africa followed in October 2009, by way of the Lowry Park Zoo in Florida. Their numbers have grown, and in March 2012, five of our elephants were moved to the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, to form a new herd.

Swazi "The Fearful Leader"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1991
Weight: 6,800 pounds
Swazi has been the dominant female in the herd since she arrived. Named in honor of Swaziland, she is the now the largest female in the herd. Any ruckus in the herd and Swazi comes charging over to see what’s going on. Swazi gave birth to her first, long-awaited calf, eMacembe, on April 12, 2010. Keepers suspect that Swazi's vision is not as acute as the other elephants; she is often startled by the less-dominant animals, sometimes even the calves. While Swazi is clearly the boss of the females, she is a little quirky . You may find her playing with rocks, holding small logs between her front two legs, swimming, and daydreaming in the yard.

Umngani "The Diva"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Weight: 6,250 pounds

Umngani (oom-Gah-nee), whose name means “friend” in Siswati, is the mother of Khosi, Ingadze, and our newest baby, Inhlonipho. Umngani is sweet natured and seems to love her training sessions, often roaring at the keepers if her session ends too soon. She is also one of our most photogenic females and seems to pose for pictures. Umngani has the longest tusks in the herd, and her ears are often flared out as if she is listening. As beautiful as she is, though, she is also one of the messiest elephants in the herd. You can tell which keepers have been working with her: they are frequently spackled with wet mud from her drippy trunk!

Ndlulamitsi "The Sweet One"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Weight: 6,400 pounds
Ndlulamitsi is very sweet toward her keepers and often approaches them to solicit a rubdown. She likes to swim and take mud baths to cool down. “Ndula” became the first mom of the herd when she gave birth to Vus’musi; son Lutsandvo was born in 2010. Ndula still has a very close relationship with her firstborn, though you will sometimes see her disciplining him. You can identify Ndula, whose name means “taller than trees” due to her great height, by her tiny right tusk.

Msholo "The Fearless One"

Sex: Male
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Weight: 8,500 pounds

Msholo (mi Show low), an African elephant from the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, was one of 11 elephants rescued from a scheduled cull in Africa’s Swaziland in 2003. He came from the Hlane Game Reserve in Swaziland; other elephants from that same reserve now living here are Swazi and Umngani Msholo was aptly named, as his name translates into “appears from nowhere.” One of the first things we noticed was how quickly and silently he moved. Msholo is eager to learn and is very agile and extremely adept at gathering his own browse from the trees in the yard.

Vus'musi "Momma's Boy"

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, February 23, 2004
March 2012 weight: 5,150 pounds

As the first baby born to this herd, Vus’musi's (voos-MOOS-ee) name means “to build a family.” His sire is unknown, as mother Ndlula was pregnant when she arrived from Swaziland. She allowed him to nurse much longer than the average calf, not weaning him until he was almost five! "Musi" or "Moose" is now the same size as several of the adult females were when they arrived at the Park at age 14! He is going to be one big bull. Thank goodness he is so sweet! Since the birth of little brother Lutsandvo, Musi is learning to become his own elephant.

Khosi "The Babysitter"

Sex: Female
Born: Safari Park, September 11, 2006
March 2012 weight: 2,910 pounds

Khosi (Koh see) is the first offspring of Mabu and Umngani. Her name is short for a name that means "heart of a queen" in Siswati in recognition of Yvonne Larsen, former president of the San Diego Zoo's board of trustees. Her personality is very relaxed, and she likes to watch over all of her younger siblings. This maternal behavior is especially strong with little brothers Ingadze and Inhlonipho, and she babysits whenever possible. Elephants both in the wild and in zoos often rub their tusks against hard surfaces, which sometimes damages them. Khosi wore down her tusks over time, so our veterinary team performed a pulpotomy, which is like a root canal on a tusk, and then placed permanent stainless-steel caps on each of her tusks to prevent further wear.

Phakamile "Little Gymnast"

Sex: Female
Born: Safari Park, September 19, 2007
March 2012 weight: 2,495 pounds

Phakamile is the daughter of Umoya and Mabu. Her name means "noble strength" to honor the longtime support of Audrey Steele Burnand, whose first name means the same. “Kami” is a great swimmer, is good at balancing on logs or rocks, and has lots of energy. Being a junior gymnast isn’t the only thing she is known for: she is also the “class clown,” often swinging her trunk around like a helicopter. Her little trumpet is so distinct that keepers can tell her vocalizations apart from all of the other calves. Her antics are a constant source of entertainment for keepers and guests. Kami really enjoys her little half-brothers and is a big sister to full brother Emanti.

Ingadze "The Little Genius"

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, March 13, 2009
March 2012 weight: 1,790 pounds

Born to Umngani and Mabu, “Gadze” has taken more interest in hanging out with the older boys, Musi and Punga. He is a rowdy youngster and smart as well; he has accomplished many “firsts” at a younger age than the others. He can be a little rambunctious with the newest calves, including his little brother, Inhlonipho, and has to be told to “play nice” by just about all the females. He also has an older sister, Khosi Ingadze’s name translates to “garden” to honor the financial contributions of Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and wife Audrey Giesel. Their son's name, Horton, which is also the famous name of the elephant character in Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, translates to “garden” in Latin.

Lutsandvo "Luti"

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, February 14, 2010
March 2012 weight: 1,649 pounds

Born on Valentine’s Day, Lutsandvo (loot-sund-vor), whose name means "love" in the Siswati language, is the first of our calves to be born in the main yard with the rest of the herd present. Son of Ndlula and Mabu, "Luti" is very independent and has quickly learned who it’s safe to hang out with. He “does his own thing” and acts like he owns the place. Luti enjoys wrestling with Ingadze and looks for opportunities to interact with Macembe and Emanti when he strays far enough away from his mother.

Macembe LaLu Hlata

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, April 12, 2010
March 2012 weight: 1,604 pounds

Born to first-time mom Swazi and Mabu, “Macembe” (ma-calm-bay) was our biggest baby at birth, weighing in at 268 pounds. He is even more independent than Luti was at his age. He likes to hang out with Dad and Aunt Lungile and attempts nursing from both! Having Mom as the dominant female in the herd has its perks: Macembe pretty much plays with whomever and whenever he feels like it. He’s also not very picky about where he takes a nap; hel plops down anywhere, shade or sun, doesn’t matter. His skin color also appears more gray than any of the other calves. His nickname translates to "leaves," while his full name translates as “green leaves” in honor of a donor.

Emanti

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, May 12, 2010
March 2012 weight: 1,283 pounds

Born to Umoya and Mabu, Emanti was also born out in the main yard with most of the herd present. Having full sister Kami around, Emanti has learned that almost every herd member is nice to him, with the occasional exception of Swazi. He’s picked up on elephant etiquette rather quickly! He loves water! His name, which means "water," was selected in an online naming poll. Emanti likes water squirted into his mouth from a hose, he doesn’t hesitate going into the pool, and he doesn’t mind having it sprayed all over him. Emanti loves to solicit attention from the keepers. How can we resist?!

Inhlonipho

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, September 26, 2011
March 2012 weight: 555 pounds

Our newest herd member is also mother Umngani's third baby—a first for our herd! Inhlonipho (pronounced in-low-nee-po), a Siswati name that can mean respect, honor, reverence, or good manners,was born in the upper yard of the elephant habitat. His father is Mabu, his big sister is Khosi, and his big brother is Ingadze. We’ll probably nickname him “Po” or “Nee-po.” Come see this cutie soon!

Litsemba "The Drama Queen"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Moved to Arizona: March 2012

Litsemba means “hope” in Siswati; she is the mother of Impunga and Tsandzikle. “Samba” and her two sons, Impunga and Tsandzikle, are now living in Arizona, where we wish them well.

Lungile "The Spoiled One"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1991
Moved to Arizona: March 2012

Lungile (loon GEE lee) certainly lives up to her African name, which means "good natured one." She gave birth in 2007; sadly, the little female passed away February 2008. Lungile now lives in Arizona.

Mabhulane "The Proud Papa"

Sex: Male
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Moved to Arizona: March 2012

"Mabu" commands attention. Named for a respected game warden in Swaziland, his name means "he who walks in hostile places." He is the father of Khosi,Impunga, Phakamile, Ingadze, Lutsandvo, eMacembe, Emanti, Tsandzikle, and Inhlonipho. He now resides at the Reid Park Zoo in Arizona.

Impunga "The Instigator "

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, March 11, 2007
Moved to Arizona: March 2012

Impunga (im Poon ga) is a very rambunctious young male born to first-time mom Litsemba and Mabu. Named to honor the financial support of Conrad Prebys, his name means "experienced advisor." "Punga" and his little brother, Tsandzikle, are sure to entertain in their new home in Arizona!

Tsandzikle

Sex: Male
Born: Safari Park, December 27, 2010
Moved to Arizona: March 2012

Little "Sundzu" was the fourth elephant born at the Park in 2010! His mother is Litsemba, his father is Mabu, and his big brother is Impunga. Tsandzikle (ta sond zu Kee lay) now lives in Arizona with the rest of his family.

Umoya "The Spitfire"

Sex: Female
Born: Kruger National Park, South Africa, approx. 1990
Died: November 17, 2011, at the Safari Park

Umoya’s name means "spirit," and her nickname came from her eagerness and impatient Type-A personality. As the mother of two calves, Phakamile and Emanti, she is remembered fondly for her habit of walking backward in the exhibit and her excellent mothering skills.