Zoo Babies
Introducing our Adorable New Arrivals

Zoo Babies Proudly Presented by Primrose Schools

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About Zoo Babies

Cubs, pups, calves, chicks — no matter what they're called, baby animals are adorable!

At the Indianapolis Zoo, our animal breeding efforts are a key part of our animal conservation mission as they help to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied animal population. Learn more about the babies born recently at the Zoo.

White Rhinoceros
It’s a Girl!

A new white rhinoceros baby was born to mother Zenzele on Feb. 11, 2024. Zenzele is an experienced mom, so we know she’s in good hoofs!

Rhino calves are born after a pregnancy of about 16 months. They weigh more than 100 pounds at birth and grow about 10 pounds every day! Their horns appear after about 6 weeks of age.

Rhino calves stay close to their mother for the first couple of months. Our new calf will begin meeting other members of the herd this spring.

Learn more about the Zoo’s white rhinos—and reserve your spot for a limited-time, behind-the-scenes encounter in our Rhino Adventure: Mom & Baby Special Edition program!

Kangaroo
Many new joeys keep this mob really hopping!

Kangaroo Crossing started 2024 with a baby boom! The Zoo welcomed several new red kangaroo babies, or joeys, in late 2023 and early 2024. They include Arlo (male: mother Sadie), Bodhi (male: mother Ziva), Poppy (female: mother Pippa) and Ruby (female: mother Kirra).

Female kangaroos have pouches, where a newborn joey—about the size of a jellybean—crawls into after being born. Joeys nurse milk in the pouch for about 6 months, when they start coming out to explore their world. They stay with their mothers for about 1 year as they learn to eat grasses and other plants.

Learn more about red kangaroos here and meet some of them up close on your next visit to Kangaroo Crossing at the Zoo!

Giraffe
Welcoming the tallest baby of the year!

Meet Mwezi, the newest addition to the reticulated giraffe herd at the Zoo! Mwezi’s name means “moon” in Swahili—he was born just around midnight on Dec. 6, 2023. Mwezi was 6 feet tall and weighed 144 pounds at birth. His parents are mother Kita and father Majani.

Giraffe calves are tall and wobbly at first but can stand and walk about an hour after they are born! In the wild, calves nurse from their mothers for about a year and a half. They live in a protective herd with other calves and their mothers.

Learn more about the Zoo’s giraffes here. You can even feed a giraffe at certain times of the year when you visit Plains!

Addra gazelle
We’re gazing with pride at these two new gazelles!

The Zoo welcomed two new male Addra gazelles in November 2023, just two days apart to different mothers! Kabaka was born November 27 to mother Sparrow, and Kula was born November 30 to mother Swann. Six-year old Kamal is the father of both calves. Gazelle calves nurse from their mothers for about 3–4 months. They are protected by their mothers as part of a herd.

These births are very special, as Addra gazelles are a critically endangered species. There are no more than about 100 animals left in the wild. Breeding programs help keep this species thriving in human care as conservationists work to reintroduce some gazelles to their wild habitats.

Learn more about Addra gazelles here and look for them and their curly horns in Plains.

African elephant
We’re trumpeting with joy!

The Zoo is thrilled to welcome a new male elephant calf, Jabari, born Sept. 4, 2023.

His mother is 17-year-old Zahara, who was also born at the Indianapolis Zoo. Both Zahara and Jabari were conceived by ground-breaking artificial insemination techniques.

Along with grandmother Ivory, the new calf begins a third generation in the herd at the Zoo!

Weighing more than 200 pounds at birth, baby elephants resemble a miniature version of adults and can stand within 15 minutes.

Watch our little Jabari grow and learn with our Zoo herd in Plains. You can also follow our website and social media for updates.

Read more about the arrival of our newest elephant

Greater kudu
Have you “herd?” We have two more kudu!

Two male greater kudu calves were born in the summer of 2023, one on July 16 and another on August 2. Caliente and Jojo are the mothers, and Caliente’s calf is Jojo’s grandson! Zuberi is the father of both calves.

In the wild, kudu live in southern and eastern Africa. Our new baby kudu join a growing herd in our Plains area. Learn more about greater kudu here, and be sure to stop by and see these graceful grazers on your next visit to the Zoo!

White-handed gibbon
Something to sing about!

The Zoo welcomes our newest male white-handed gibbon baby, Echo, born to mother Koko on April 20, 2023. Koko has black fur, and Echo has lighter fur like his father, Elliot.

White-handed gibbons live in the forests of Southeast Asia. Female gibbons are attentive mothers and care for their infants for about a year and a half until they can eat solid food—mostly fruit—on their own.

Learn more about white-handed gibbons here and be sure to look for the gibbon family in the Forests exhibit at the Zoo on your next visit!

Come see all our animals!

Our furry family is always growing and changing! Plan your next visit online and save.

Zoo Babies of 2023

Little Jabari's first time swimming with mom Zahara. ❤️