Zoo in Wichita, Kansas making history with African elephant births
The Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas made history in April 2025 as the first zoo in the state to successfully welcome the live births of two African elephants within one week of each other. This week the zoo announced another significant milestone: the herd has welcomed the arrival of a third African elephant. The calf's name and gender was revealed live on the TODAY Show on June 5.
Additionally, one more elephant within the breeding herd is pregnant and expecting a calf later this year – making it the first accredited zoo in the United States to anticipate the births of four African elephant calves within a single year.
On April 10, the zoo welcomed its first live calf. Talia gave birth to a baby male African elephant, Bomani, which means “warrior” in Swahili. Four days later on April 14, Xolani delivered a male calf named Kijani, in the supportive presence of other members of the herd, including Bomani and his mother, Talia. On June 3, Arusi gave birth to a female calf, named Asali.
“We are overjoyed to welcome Bomani, Kijani and Asali to our zoo family and are excited about this historic milestone – the safe arrival of three African elephant calves within two months of each other,” said Sedgwick County Zoo CEO Scott Newland. “2025 is a huge year for our team, our zoo, the Wichita community and for the sustainability of the population of African elephants in North America.”
In addition to the zoo’s growing herd, Sedgwick County Zoo is home to the fifth largest elephant exhibit in the country and boasts one of the largest water features within an elephant exhibit in the country. Zoo guests have the opportunity to share the water with the herd on a boat tour through the canal.
"With three baby African elephants now a part of the herd, now is the time to put Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita on your bucket list,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita. “The chance to see three African elephant calves – and potentially four by the end of this year – at one zoo is incredibly exciting and rare. Kansas’ most-visited attraction is making history and is a must-visit destination for wildlife lovers everywhere.”
Updates on Asali and other information about the elephant herd at Sedgwick County Zoo can be found at SCZ.org/elephants and by following Sedgwick County Zoo on social media.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2024 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
VisitWichita.com | @VisitWichita
About Sedgwick County Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo is dedicated to inspiring respect and conservation for wildlife and wild places. Home to nearly 3,000 animals of more than 400 different species, SCZ has been recognized with national and international awards for its support of field conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. Opened in 1971, it has been ranked among the best zoos in the country and is the No. 1 outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas. The zoo is a not-for-profit organization, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a global leader in wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.
scz.org | @SedgwickCountyZoo
