Welcome, Baby Elephant!

The Albuquerque BioPark's Zoo joyfully welcomes a female Asian elephant calf born at 1:43am on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. The newborn tipped the scales at a whopping 318 pounds! This calf is the second elephant born at the Zoo and her mother, Rozie, was the first.

Because introductions between baby Daizy and two adult females in the herd are in progress, the times when Daizy is on exhibit may vary each day. If you’re visiting primarily to see the baby elephant, please call 311 after 9am the day of your visit to check her schedule. Introductions will continue for the next few weeks.

Check back here for updates, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter .

Your Favorite Baby Elephant Name

Thank you for helping us name Rozie’s baby girl! 

DAIZY is the name that Zoo voters liked the best! Come to the Zoo and see Rozie's baby, Daizy. (Check with 311 to find out if she'll be on exhibit when you plan to visit.)

All donations will benefit Asian elephant conservation.

A New Mother

Young Rozie investigates the dry pool with mother Alice nearby. (c.2000)

First-time mother Rozie is doing well. Zoo staff carefully monitored her health throughout the pregnancy and conducted 24-hour watches with the help of Zoo volunteers during the last few weeks.

Rozie was born at the Rio Grande Zoo on November 8, 1992. Her mother, Alice, and father, Ranchipur of the San Diego Zoo, have no other living offspring.

When Rozie and her calf have formed a strong bond, the pair will be introduced to the Zoo’s other female elephants: grandmother Alice and "auntie" Irene.

Elephant Fathers

Newborn calf (Sept. 2, 2009)

This young calf is the result of artificial insemination with sperm from three donors. The father is not yet known, but blood samples have been collected for a DNA test. Results will be posted when available.

In the wild, male elephants are not part of the matriarchal herd after they reach maturity. They live in bachelor herds or on their own. They interact with females only to mate.

Hope for Asian Elephants

Rozie's pregnancy was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants. Because Rozie has no siblings, she is genetically unique. Her calf adds to the diversity and strength of the North American population of Asian elephants.

The ABQ BioPark is an accredited member of AZA and a designated Elephant Breeding Facility. The AZA strives to maintain a self-sustaining population of the endangered elephants in North America.

The Albuquerque Biological Park is committed to supporting elephant conservation both at home and abroad, and we strive to

• Provide excellent care for the BioPark's elephants
• Connect BioPark visitors to our natural world
• Educate visitors about threats to wild elephants
• Promote conservation through special events and activities
• Support elephant conservation efforts around the world

  In 2009, the ABQ BioPark provided $10,000 of privately-raised revenue to support field projects in Asia and Africa through the International Elephant Foundation.

Read more about the Albuquerque BioPark's elephant herd.