3 African elephants arrive at Reid Park Zoo
Group from San Diego joins pair for Expedition Tanzania exhibit
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Reid Park ZooLungile (front) and Mabu arrived at Reid Park Zoo on Feb. 24. Mabu's offspring, 4-year-old Punga and 1-year-old Sundzu, arrived with their mother, Samba, to the zoo Tuesday night. The elephants will be part of Reid Park Zoo's Expedition Tanzania exhibit scheduled to open March 28.
Three African elephants arrived at their new home at Reid Park Zoo from San Diego on Tuesday night.
Samba and her offspring, 4-year-old Punga and 1-year-old Sundzu, were transferred to Tucson from San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif., in specially designed crates the elephants were trained to feel comfortable in, said zoo spokeswoman Vivian VanPeenen.
The family joins the youngsters' father, Mabu, and another adult female, Lungile, who arrived at the zoo on Feb. 24.
The new arrivals have not yet been placed in the outdoor exhibit. It will be at least two days before they have access to the yard, VanPeenen said.
The elephants have access to the Click Family Elephant Care Center and are eating well and interacting with their new keepers, VanPeenen said.
The new Expedition Tanzania exhibit is scheduled to open March 28, VanPeenen said.
