Kansas City Zoo expects first-ever elephant calf

The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed Raja, a 33-year-old Asian elephant transferred from the Saint Louis Zoo under a breeding recommendation intended to increase genetic diversity in North America’s endangered Asian elephant population. Raja previously fathered calves in St. Louis and may breed with Cincinnati’s female elephants; the zoo has not said when visitors can see him. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Zoo announced that Zuri, a 17-year-old African elephant, is pregnant by 21-year-old Tamani, with their first calf—and the zoo’s first elephant birth—expected in late 2027 after an approximately 22-month gestation. The zoo says Zuri is doing well and participating in prenatal care; African elephants are critically endangered, while Asian elephants are endangered.