Baby Elephant Born At Safari Park On World Elephant Day

ESCONDIDO, CA – The San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrated World Elephant Day with the birth of a baby elephant. The baby elephant, named Umzula-zuli, was born to mother Ndlulamitsi just before midnight on Sunday.

Umzula-zuli, also known as "Zuli," is the largest elephant to be born at the park, weighing in at more than 270 pounds, according to park officials. A newborn calf generally weights 200 to 268 pounds at birth.

After some baby bonding time, the mother introduced her calf to the rest of the herd late Monday morning.

"This morning's introduction of Zuli to the other 12 elephants in the herd was one of the most endearing animal scenes I have had the privilege of seeing," said Mindy Albright, lead keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. "The other elephants were clearly excited to meet the new baby – touching him, trumpeting and smelling him with their trunks."

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is now home to 13 elephants – four adults and nine youngsters. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland, where they faced being culled, according to park officials.

Photo credit: San Diego Zoo Safari Park