Partners in Conservation
Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.
Phoebe and Sunny are pregnant!
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is eagerly preparing for not just one, but TWO baby Asian elephants to arrive this year—one this summer and another later in the year. This marks the first time in our history that two elephant moms are expecting at the same time, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Bookmark this page for updates leading up to the first birth—this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
Why It's Important
This moment is exactly why we expanded the elephant habitat this past year—creating more space for multigenerational herds to thrive. These two calves will learn from each other, just like they would in their native range, gaining critical social skills from each other and the rest of the herd. And when you visit, you’ll get to witness these special bonds forming firsthand!
More than just a Zoo milestone, these births represent a significant step for Asian elephant conservation. With wild populations facing habitat loss and other challenges, every birth in an accredited conservation program, like ours, helps secure a future for this endangered species. In fact, the Columbus Zoo is proud to be a leader in the IUCN SSC: Asian Elephant Specialist Group, working alongside global experts to protect elephants in their native ranges.
Ultrasounds are Underway!
This ultrasound gives us a glimpse of Phoebe’s baby elephant in the womb! While we can’t see the entire fetus at once—elephants are massive, after all—we often spot the ribcage and even the tiny beating heart.
Elephant pregnancies last an incredible 22 months, with each trimester spanning over seven months. Phoebe is doing great, and her little one is expected this fall. Unlike humans, elephants don’t need major dietary changes, and their baby bump doesn’t show much until late in pregnancy. But once the baby arrives, Phoebe will receive extra nutrition to support her newborn—who will weigh 250-300 pounds at birth!
Our Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams are closely monitoring Phoebe AND Sunny with regular ultrasounds, making sure they're comfortable and prepared for their big days. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!
The countdown is on… and our team is ready!
Behind the scenes, the Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams are using their years of experience—and the power of collaboration with other accredited zoos—to make sure both moms have the support they need for safe, healthy deliveries!
While Phoebe is an experienced mom, Sunny is expecting her first—so the team is carefully guiding her through practice sessions now to help her feel confident and comfortable when the time comes. The training even prepares her for those special first interactions with her calf.
Our approach is rooted in trust, expertise, and compassion—built by keepers who’ve supported births here and at other leading zoos. That’s the heart of modern zoo care: collaboration, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of each animal. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), our work also supports the long-term survival of Asian elephants, whose populations continue to decline in the wild.
Each calf born here is part of a larger conservation story—and your visits and support make it possible.
Bring an Elephant Home with You (At Least a Toy-Size One)!
Want to support the elephants at the Columbus Zoo? Check out our ADOPT special, just in time for our two new arrivals! Each ADOPTion dollar raised goes directly towards enrichment and nutrition for that species.
Elephant Yoga!
NamastHEYYYYYYYYY…is that an elephant doing yoga?!
Yep! In fact, the entire Asian elephant herd at the Columbus Zoo takes part in this healthy practice.
Join Tea, one of our incredible elephant experts, as she walks us through the mindful moves that help keep Phoebe, Sunny, and the whole herd healthy - especially as we get closer to two very special births this summer and fall!
Summer 2025 Update
If you’ve ever been pregnant in the middle of summer, you know... it’s a whole different level of HOT outside.
Asian elephant Sunny can relate. She’s expecting, and we are making sure everything is just right for her and her not-so-little one on the way. The baby is now full-size at OVER 250 pounds!
Just like you'd baby-proof your home before bringing home a newborn, our team is babyproofing an off-view space within the elephant habitat. Everything is being prepared to give Sunny and her calf a safe, calm, and supportive environment for this exciting next chapter.
And let’s talk summer comfort! Asian elephants like Sunny have some pretty cool tricks for beating the heat. You might see them throwing sand or mud across their backs—this not only helps keep them cool but protects their skin from the sun and bugs. They also love a good splash or soak, so you can often see them enjoying our swimming holes and fresh water spouts! Shade is also available to help them stay comfortable, and as always, they can choose if they want to spend their day indoors or in one of the two outside yards.
We’ll be cheering on Sunny every step of the way—supported by an experienced team of keepers who’ve previously helped welcome several calves at the Columbus Zoo, and other organizations, before. While this will be Sunny’s first calf, Phoebe—another member of our herd—is an experienced mom preparing for her baby to be born this fall! Behind the scenes, our team is running practice sessions with Sunny so she knows exactly what to expect when the big moment arrives. Every birth teaches us something new, and we also work closely with elephant care experts around the country to be as prepared as possible—even for unique questions like when honorary “big brother” Frankie, will meet Sunny’s baby.
Stay tuned—an unforgettable new arrival is on the way!
