Monday, August 4, 2008

Elephant Babies at the Pittsburgh Zoo


The world has been blessed. Two African Elephants were born in July at The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Both babies are girls!!!

Angelina was born July 9 and Zuri, which means beautiful in Swahili, was born July 25. I made a pilgrimage to see the babies Friday, August 1. I took a lot of photos and only realized there was a problem with my camera, completely my fault, of course, after I downloaded the shots. Bummer. However, the babies are too cute for words and their births are so very important for the elephant world, I would rather share poor photos than none at all.

Angelina liked to run

while Zuri was still a bit wobbly.

Zuri did enjoy playing in the water.

Angelina tried to follow her mother, Savannah, up a small embankment. She soon realized it was not going to be easy.


"Oh no. I'm slipping. I'm falling."

"Whew. That was close. Here I come ma."

"This is hard."

"Ma, wait! I'm trying, ma. I'm allll..mmmmm..ooost there."

"Thanks, buddy."

The keepers and the adult elephants look after the little ones.

Zuri: "What is this thing on my face?"
Angelina: "I have no idea. But, it gets in the way when I try to eat lunch!"

The sisters, Jackson is the father of both girls, are a HUGH attraction at the zoo. I overheard a woman in the crowd say, "This is a once in a lifetime thing, to see a one week old elephant. And, it is right here in Pittsburgh! Wow!"

I will second the "WOW!" I am so very proud of The Pittsburgh Zoo and, especially the elephant keepers! Thank you!!!!

For more information visit: http://www.pittsburghzoo.org

5 comments:

Julie Zickefoose said...

What an amazing gift this post is, replete with baby elephants. Thank you.

KGMom said...

I am very fond of elephants. And these babies are adorable.
If you like elephants, you should visit Possum Lady.
She writes about various things, but has written about the Elephant Sanctuary several times.

Kathleen said...

Julie, thank you for the lovely comment. You are a gift.

kgmom, I agree that elephants are very special creatures. The babies, well, they are truely beautiful, amazing and fun to watch. I will visit Possum Lady. Thanks for the tip.

Margaret Cloud said...

I like Zoo's that give room for elephants to roam around in. That baby is sooo cute.

Kathleen said...

Hi Margaret,

The Pittsburgh Zoo has gone to great lengths to create an African Savanna that is 16 acres. It is wonderful that the animals have access to roam a little.

I remember visiting the zoo many years ago when the animals were in cages. I cried and disliked zoos afterward. That was when zoos were for entertainment. Now zoos are necessary to help save endangered species. There is still a lot of work to be done to protect animal rights, but I am proud of the Pittsburgh Zoo for making so many improvements.