Now weighing 980 pounds, Reid Park Zoo’s 10-month-old elephant calf spent the last month focusing on food, getting etiquette lessons from her big sister and enjoying a snow day.
Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. Mapenzi joined dad Mabu, sister Nandi, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.
The Star is documenting Penzi’s milestones each month until she is 1 year old.
Penzi’s love of food
Although Penzi is still nursing, she’s becoming more food-focused.
“She’s starting to work harder to maintain her weight with food,†says elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds. “She’s really focused on eating and spending a lot of her time eating pretty much anything that’s edible.
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“She used to be a little bit picky, but now she’s going for pretty much everything,†Dodds says.
Penzi’s current favorite snack is cucumbers — though Dodds says that could easily change tomorrow.
Zoo staff have also incorporated fun feeding strategies for the elephants, giving them the chance to forage for food themselves.
One of those strategies includes a cube-shaped feeder stuffed with hay and other treats. It has a hole just big enough for an elephant’s trunk to fit inside.
“They have to turn the cube and get their trunk in just right,†Dodds says.
Keepers built a tiny version for Penzi that has a hole the size of her trunk. Dodds says she’s been getting lots of use out of it.
"A weather event can always be exciting for the elephants, but a first snow is always special for a baby elephant," said director of zoological operations Sue Tygielski. "Penzi took the snowflakes as a cue to play in the stream and slip and slide in the mud. Even her older sister, Nandi, could not resist a roll in the mud on a snowy day." Video courtesy of Reid Park Zoo, taken on Jan. 26, 2021
Learning her manners
Like most kids, Penzi also has to learn her manners.
“(Penzi’s) relationship with her sister is becoming a little bit more advanced,†Dodds says. “Nandi used to baby her — she would be very protective and careful when she was playing with her. But recently, she’s been taking on a role of teaching Penzi her manners.â€
For example, if Penzi invades Nandi’s space, Nandi will essentially use her body and ears to tell her little sister to take some steps back.
“She definitely likes to let Penzi know if she’s being inappropriate — but in an appropriate way,†Dodds says.
“Elephants learn etiquette and proper manners from their families — everything from how to move around each other to how to move across the environment to find food and water.â€
Despite the lessons in etiquette, Penzi still spends most of her playtime with Nandi. She’s also spending more time with her older brother Sundzu and is becoming a bit more independent from her mom.
Training sessions
As for those training sessions, which are voluntary for the elephants and are done through positive reinforcement, Penzi continues to improve. Training sessions allow keepers to evaluate the elephants and ensure they’re healthy.
She’s been coming when her name is called and listens during “target training,†which is an exercise that helps teach the elephants to follow the keepers. She’s also becoming more patient.
Penzi is able to put her trunk back when given a cue, which allows keepers to look at her mouth and tongue. Penzi has also learned to open her mouth when given a cue from keepers.
Penzi’s 1st snow encounter
Just like everyone else in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, the elephants were more than thrilled with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s recent snow day.
Most of the zoo animals decided to stay in their heated night houses when it began snowing, but the elephant herd decided to stay out and play in the flurries.
“It was really fun to watch how excited they were when it was snowing,†Dodds says. “I related that back to my kids and how excited they were when they saw snow.â€
“(Penzi) had a blast that day,†Dodds says. “We were watching the weather and as soon as the snow started coming down, she got really excited — running around and slipping around in the mud.
“They really seemed to notice that it was something different in their environment.â€
Zoo staff filmed part of the snow day, giving ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans the joy of seeing how much fun the elephants had. The video made its way around the world and was picked up by many news outlets.
“It’s really special to the elephant team and everybody here at the zoo to be able to make that connection and connect Penzi to our community and connect people all around the world to wildlife,†Dodds says.
80+ photos of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s baby elephant Penzi
Penzi

Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Penzi

Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Penzi

“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,†said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Penzi

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

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

Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Penzi

Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Penzi

As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Penzi

Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Penzi

Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

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

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

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

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

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

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day

Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Penzi

Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Penzi

Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Penzi

Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi

At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Penzi

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

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

Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi

Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi

Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Penzi

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Penzi

Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Penzi

Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Penzi

Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Penzi

Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
Penzi

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 tÃa Lungile.
Penzi

Reid Park Zoo
A los seis meses, la crÃa de elefante Mapenzi se ha convertido en una gran aficionada a la lechuga, el pepino y el heno.
Mapenzi

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

Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

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.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

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.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

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.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

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.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo reopens

Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

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. Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

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

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

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

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

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

Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

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

At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.Â
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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

Reid Park Zoo in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.