TUCSON, AZ — An African elephant at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson is pregnant and expected to give birth next year.
Semba, a 29-year-old elephant, is expecting her fourth calf, the zoo announced on Tuesday. Her delivery is expected in the spring of 2020.
We’ve got some #BigBabyNews: Semba the African elephant is pregnant! Head over to our #ZooBlog to learn more about what to expect while Semba is expecting: https://t.co/aPGiq7UsMt pic.twitter.com/niRLHjTsTA
— Reid Park Zoo (@ReidParkZoo) February 20, 2019
The mother-to-be is about halfway through her pregnancy, which typically lasts between 22-24 months, the zoo said. She currently weighs 6,960 pounds, a healthy weight for a pregnant elephant, according to the zoo.
Zoo staff have been keeping on eye on her weight, monitoring her vitamin and mineral intake, and doing regular blood work.
In 2014, Semba gave birth to Nandi, who was the first elephant born at the Tucson zoo. Nandi lives at the zoo with her mom and dad, Mabu, who is the father of all four of Semba's children.
Semba came to the Tucson zoo from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2012.
