African elephant Swazi’s due-date range, according to all our calf data, was to fall between July 25 and August 24. We can see that the baby is situated mostly on her right side and is still up high, so physically we don’t see any changes yet. We get and send in her daily urine samples to our lab here at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, with a turnaround time for results about two days later. Her progesterone levels haven’t dipped down below a number consistently with what we’d consider pre-labor (2 to 4 days away) levels. Regardless, baby will come when baby will come!
It looks like it won’t be this week at least. Schedules, staff, and volunteers are all on standby; we just don’t want to start too early and get burned out like we did with Umngani’s first (way back in the day). If we don’t see anything happening soon, I might start night watches anyway, because I’m getting antsy myself!
We did miss Luty and Tsundzu’s births (Emanti’s didn’t count because we were busy with Mac’s night watch), so births can come on rather quickly, and I’d like to try and film the birth for research purposes if we get lucky enough and there’s some light to see it. We may get lucky and see her drop her mucus plug or actually see the water break, but that’s been very rare for us, since most births have been under darkness.
Swazi is still nursing Macembe, so he’s in for a rude awakening soon. Since she is the dominant female, this being her second calf, and we’ve had three born out in the main east yard, we’re not overly concerned if Swazi were to give birth out in the main east yard. Having her give birth in the holding yard allows for filming, better observations, safety, and simpler separations away from others if we feel they might hinder her bonding time or if we have to intervene. I think Macembe will be the only one in with her this time. I’m sure they wouldn’t want to be in close quarters with her anyway—she’s pretty bossy!
Gotta go. Busy, busy busy.
Curtis Lehman is an animal care manager at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Read his previous post, Elephant Birth Watch.
Watch our elephants daily on Elephant Cam.
thanks so much Curtis, we are all as antsy as you and the rest of the staff are.. hopefully none of us will have to wait much longer. it will be interestig to see Mac’s reaction to a sibling as well as no more nursing
Thanks for the info. The ‘carrying position’ remark is especially valuable to me because it confirms what I thought I was seeing. And so we wait….
Thanks Curtis. Question, who was with Swazi when Mac was born? Good luck.
Curtis responds: It was Umoya, with Kami in tow.
Curtis: I had to laugh out loud when I read you’re comment about getting antsy since in response to a previous post I had commented how anxious I was getting for this new little one to come. Guess we’re all feeling it, but you keepers must really feel eager, especially since you want to capture the birth on film. Sure hope that works out for you this time. Will the video be posted for us to see, or is this just for staff info only? Whatever the case, here’s wishing you the best!
Thank you for the update and for letting us know how you plan and /or hope to mangage that big day. I am sure energetic Neepo (gotta love him) would not be an asset at an elephant birth. He would no doubt be excited out of his rambunctious little mind! : ). Best wish is for all to go well for mother and baby. And we wait.
Thanks for the update. I check every morning before work, and after I get home. You’d think we were all expecting a grandchild!
LOL, Karen! I hadn’t thought of that, but that’s oh so true!
We’re all on pins and needles waiting for this big event like expectant grandparents…
Thanks for the update Curis. I was wondering what was going on and how she was doing.
thank you for responding to our concerns about Swazi. I wonder if it will be a tougher adjustment for Macembe with a sibling since he has probably been a golden child. but I thought Umngani did a pretty tactful job of letting Ingadze know he wasn’t to nurse but she would still take care of him. it sounds like the elephant keepers are pseudo expecting fathers to Swazi.
Are you kidding me??? WOW!!! The last time I wrote in about any of the momma ellies being pregnant, no one really knew which momma ellie or two were pregnant or not! I’m glad that it’s Swazi who’s about ready to have baby #2! Is the daddy Mabu or Msholo? Probably depends on when she conceived before or after Mabu left SDZ. Let us know when she has her baby, and I do hope that you all can catch her giving birth during the daytime–for once! Too many night births over the last couple of years!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Mabu is the father.
So, Mabu did get Swazi pregnant before he left SDZ! Thanks for that info, Moderator! Now, we all know who the daddy is of Swazi’s baby ellie that’s due to come any day. Thanks, Mabu! You have left a lasting legacy at WAP! How many ellie calves is Mabu the father of, counting Swazi’s new baby? Trying to figure that out.
Looks like Msholo is starting to check out the other ladies in the herd. Hope that he will be as successful as Mabu has been in becoming a daddy! At least he has adopted the other calves in the herd, and that will give him some practice on daddy duties.
Will be back to see if there’s some news about Swazi giving birth to her calf.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Mabu will be the father of 10 when Swazi’s baby is born.
~Regardless, baby will come when baby will come!~
Isn’t that the truth!! Back in 1971 my son was due on July 31st. He arrived on August 14th. My sympathies go out to Swazi right now. She must be sooooo uncomfortable right now.
Curtis, thank you so much for the update. It’s always great whenever we get info from the ‘inside’. For now, I will try a bit harder to patiently wait for the new arrival. Best wishes for an easy uneventful birth of a healthy baby and also that you will be able to successfully capture it all on video.
Thanks for the update Curtis! We are all on pins and needles, too. I’m sure NeePo will be excited to have an ellie smaller than him to play with and i have no doubt that Mac will be a great big bro, once he gets over the jealousy. lol
Curtis, with Swazi being the boss of the other elephants, does she have an attitude with the staff also?
No. Swazi seems to work the same for everyone. She’s even-keel.
So I am assuming this means that elephants interact quite differently with humans than they do with each other??? They have an elephant “hierarchy”, but with humans their reaction and response is very different. Makes perfect sense, but maybe I am reading too much into your answer, Curtis. Please advise…
Just got a view of Swazi. Has the baby dropped? She looks different to me this morning.
Hey, Moderator! Got a request for you to give to the webmaster. Is there any way that the website dept. can get the elephant blogs on a direct link to them from the elephant cam front page? When we hit the blog link, it goes to to the blog page that has all of these different blogs listed, and we have to hit the ellie picture to get to the ellie blogs. The panda, polar bear, ape, and condor pages have their direct links to their blogs, but ever since you have switched the ellie cam page to the Safari site, we have to go thru at least 2 links to get to the blogs.
Please see that this can be corrected so that this can be done a little bit easier for all of us ellie fans!
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: There is a direct link to the Elephant Blog category below the words “Meet the Herd.”
Chari & Moderator: I was really happy to see that extra note made where it used to just say “Elephant Blog” encouraging us to read the latest blog — I thought that was a nice addition to get our attention to the fact that a new post was added to the ellie blog. I had already read this post, but if I hadn’t that sure would have caused me to look for the new post!
Thanks to all of you who keep us updated on what’s going on in “Ellie Land” at Safari Park! 
Moderator’s note: You’re welcome, Deborah!
You’re welcome, Deborah!!
Chari
It’s Saturday…..have been checking the cam every so often since around 10AM PDT and the camera hasn’t moved at all. The crew was cleaning the first couple of times and there has been nothing the rest of the times I’ve checked. People moving at the fence so I know the cameras working. Makes me wonder if something is going on up in the enclosure area. Just hope all is well.
Moderator: I noted your remark that Mabu had fathered 10 of the calves born at Safari Park. WOW!!! What a hunk! Sure hope Misholo and Musi are as productive! What an amazing herd that would be if those two kick in!
My mind is racing with pictures of lots of little elephant calves coming along down the road. 
I have just noticed this wonderful upcoming event while being glued to Panda cam & watching that beautiful baby grow. So I’m wondering, will there be a cam so we may be able to watch this incredible birth?
Thank you,
Vickie
The circumstances and location of the birth will determine if you’ll be able to see the birth of the pending elephant calf.
Watching tonight we have a nice close up of Dula. Her belly sure is active. Have seen this with Swazi too. Lots of movement there. By chance is she pregnant too?
I think she is, but unless it is announced we will have to be kept guess… It would have made sense if she is, because Mabu was originally planned to have two calves with each of the females. And he has only had one with Ndula
Even before the official announcement that Swazi was indeed the expectant mom, Dula still appears to look pregnant to me. Could just be my overly active imagination… but I sometimes wonder if possibly SAP staff is planning a surprise announcement about Dula, especially if Msholo is the sire. Okay…. back to reality waiting and hoping for Swazi to deliver the little bundle of goods soon.
At some point last year there was a situation with the ellies getting all in an uproar that the keepers said was a response to Mabu and Dula getting “friendly”. That is sitting in the back of my mind making me think of the reasons she is getting bigger in the belly and watching the belly move around an awful lot. I’ll hope like a elle maniac does for another little one. Even with Swazi’s little one coming any day now.
I was watching Dula’s tummy doing the jig as well! At first, I thought it was Swazi, but then she turned her head and I saw her turned in right tusk! I was sitting here thinking: either she’s having a terrible case of gas or she is preggers! lol Perhaps they aren’t announcing it yet since she might not be close to delivery.
Not that any tests have shown. Movement in the belly could be any number of things including some…um…well, digestive issues.
I’ve seen that tummy movement as well on Swazi and Dula.. i wonder if it could have been an insect landing on them and like some horses flitch to make the insect take flight off them, seeing as how they have such sensitive skin .. just a thought
Actually, if one would like to be very specific, this newest calf will be Mabu’s 11th calf sired here at the Park. While 10 calves have survived (if you include this calf on the way), Lungile’s calf in 2007 did not. What is also remarkable about this is that all of these calves have been born at the Park in a 6 year period AND if you include Musi, this will be the Park’s 12th elephant calf born since 2004
Am planning a visit next week and would LOVE to see a baby elephant. Hope
Swazi is doing well and has her “little one” soon!
all the anticipation about Swazi’s expected baby reminded me of the elephants who went to Reid Park Zoo. this is a recent video clip from RPZ’s facebook page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VptRTMdTdQ
it’s a bit long and looks like edited clips that have been published before. around minute 16 (and 30 seconds), there is some new footage of the elephants with their keepers. the segment with Mabu and his trainer is cute.
Thanks for that link. It was wonderful.
Thanks for that. It is exciting to see them again and in such a specially prepared place. Tucson obviously wanted them very badly. Mabu is still magnificent, and Sundzu still the little cutie. The Tucson keepers seem to be very well accepted by the ellies. A successful hand off. Beautiful vid presentation.
Thank you for the link to the Reid Park Zoo!! What a delight to see the making of ‘our’ elephants new home and to see them enjoying it so much.
There is so much land at the Safari Park. I wish they would give more to the elephants and bring ours back from AZ, I miss Mabu and I am sure the members of the herd miss one another and it seems so sad to shuffle them around and separate them. I want them ALL! : )
And, looking back at what I wrote, it is nice that they are in a special new home made just for them in AZ, and it looks like they are quite well cared for and content. So, if they have to be changed from place to place, I am grateful that they have a wonderful new home and thankful to see they are treasured in AZ.
A few comments: Kinda upset me that the new exhibit seems to be so near a major street. The interactive educational exhibits look fantastic and I love the palm tree for them to push against. On the link below, scroll down a bit and I really love the ‘introduction’ they have provided for each of the herd members. Granted there are only five of various ages and sizes but the pictures sure help to identify them with their interesting characteristics. I noticed all the holes and notches are in the right ear….wonder if that means they are all right tusked.
I’m sure a lot of us agree with Pat in wishing we still had them all. http://www.tucsonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/expedition-tanzania/
sorry, certainly did not mean for you to feel sad watching the video. I understand your sentiments of missing the elephants. while there is still a fine herd at SD Safari Park, each elephant is such a character. glad you could find comfort in seeing that the Arizona group look pretty well settled in. they seem to trust and have a rapport w/ their keepers, which is nice.
Loved the video, miss the elephants and hope that daily life and weather there are good to them. It is a nice enclosure for them and they look good!
Vonna, I live in Tucson and there is one main street that runs along the south side of Expedition Tanzania where the ellies live. However when you’re inside the zoo and in that area you can barely hear the traffic. Even though it’s a main street it is not one of the busier ones in the city. I’ve been watching the ellies via the cam for maybe a little over a year now and I was very excited to be able to have the herd come live here although if I was living in the San Diego area I too would have been sad to see them leave.
Mother elephants do NOT carry their babies in their bellies. As noted at the beginning of this blog, Swazi’s baby is being carried HIGH and to the RIGHT. Any movement in the belly has nothing to do with the baby!
Curtis, can you explain the birthing action as it drops from the HIGH and RIGHT current position to the outside world?
According to Curtis’ post about Swazi’s progesterone level being in pre labor range, that would mean birth should hopefully occur in the next day or so. However as he said “baby will come when baby will come’ .. tho the anticipation is growing with each passing day, we all want a healthy calf. Wishful thinking is still hoping for a girl..
Are ultrasounds done on Swazi and if so .. are you able to tell the sex?
Elephant Team responds: Yes, we try to do ultrasounds, but these do not show the sex of the fetus. We have to wait until birth for the grand surprise.
I bet if Swazi has a little girl, she too will be very bossy.
In the beginning of the Reid Park Zoo video (~ 34 seconds), a trainer seems to be hand-feeding Samba while in the enclosure. What is up with that?
I noticed that in the video and wondered also. I hoped there was a fence that wasn’t obvious. Perhaps it was someone more familiar with Asian ellies (or at least Cookie). Is there a different protocol for working around them?
What you see is a keeper-safe area, much like we have at the pool at the San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey. There are areas where keepers can get closer to the elephants without a fence but with other barriers. In this case, the elephants are low in the pool and the keepers are above and out of trunk’s reach.
Did anyone else see this? Shortly after 7:30pm all the elephants ran quiclkly from various areas of the yard toward the smaller fenced area and out of cam view. It was immediate and they have not returned. Usually at this time of night there is a leisurely stroll out there. Of course, you know what I am thinking and hoping it all goes well! Morning will tell, it is almost that date of August 22 that I was told of some weeks back. : )
Morning, it looks like last night was a case of wishful thinking! Sigh
Umngani became fed up with Musi’s inappropriate attention and chased him down to the logs above the pool. Dula immediately ran to Musi while Umngami and the 5 calves left the area quickly. Then Dula ran after Umngani, but the camera didn’t show what happened after that.
Thanks, I was a few steps from the computer and must have missed the incident that stared the running about. Dear Musi, he really has his eye on Umgani, and I’m not sure she enjoys his stalking ways. : )
It appears Musi is beginning to show signs of interest in the other females a bit earlier than what I’ve read. In the wild male elephants are made to leave the herd to join other males their own age till they reach maturity and assume the life of being solitary except for mating.
Though I have also read that sometimes having mature males around can keep the juvenile males from attempting overtures toward the females. I have noticed at times Msholo will make Musi leave the area when there are females present near them.
How will the Park handle this situation so that none of the ellies perhaps ends up getting hurt?
These are good points. Someone could easily get hurt during these defensive maneuvers. In fact, Musi ended on the logs and could have gotten hurt or fallen backwards over the logs. It might be one of the little ones, like Neepo, who always seems to be in the middle of things, who gets hurt.
Umngani puts up with a lot from Musi and usually just tries to avoid him. Last night he must have gotten on her last nerve and she just lost it.
I was surprised that Musi’s mom, Dula, took off after Umngani that way. I guess Musi is still her baby, no matter how big and obnoxious he is. It was quite a spectacle with Umngani and her large brood, and Dula and her 2 boys, running that way. No wonder Pat thought something big was happening over the smaller fenced yard.
This morning I saw Msholo engage Musi in what looked like the usual friendly trunk wrestling that they do. In fact, he seemed to want to get Musi away from all the girls. Msholo does what he’s supposed to do with the young kid, trying to teach him how to behave around the girls.
And, today I read that elephants don’t run, but can walk at 25mph. Sure looks like running to me! I wonder how they define the difference?
Moderator’s note: I’ve always heard that to run, all feet must leave the ground at the same time. Elephants may not “run,” but they sure “shuffle” quickly!
Really! Thank you, makes sense!
Did you see the recent blog post about Vus’musi?
” I guess Musi is still her baby, no matter how big and obnoxious he is.”
He’ll still be her baby even when he’s bigger than she is. Like how my mom says I’ll still be her baby even when I’m in my 60s and she’s in her 90s (love ya mom
).
“Msholo does what he’s supposed to do with the young kid, trying to teach him how to behave around the girls.”
Yeah!
Is this how the other adults taught Khosi and Phakamile how to behave around the boys?
Curtis, can you explain the birthing action as the baby moves from the HIGH and RIGHT current position to the outside world?
Don, this may not be what you are looking for, but may interest others.
www (dot) elephanttag (dot) org/general/general_elephant_reproduction.html
Swazi, Swazi, Swazi. We are coming to see you and the herd tomorrow. We would LOVE to see you and your little ones after our three hour drive. Pleeeeease.
Pat… Trunks crossed … that Swazi will cooperate for you ! … and for us long distance cam viewers too !
I will wave to you tomorrow morning!
I decided to cover the early evening shift tonight to see what Swazi looks like, and I’d have to say that it doesn’t look like baby is coming anytime soon. I don’t see anything physiological or behavioral that says “I’m uncomfortable, and I’d like this out of me.” She looks like Swazi with a big bulge. Our latest progesterone numbers, as of Wednesday, shows that the numbers have leveled off and haven’t declined steadily (as it was looking to go in that direction last week). I may have other information on birth predictions via elephant mother sounds coming soon; that would put the birth around next Wednesday or after, but you’ll have to wait on that until Monday at the soonest. So unless baby surprises us, I’m going to sleep soundly over the weekend!
Thank you for the update! How will the baby elephant arrival be announced? Do we watch these blogs or will there be a posting on the elephant live video site? Love watching the elephants in such a happy environment!
Moderator’s note: We’ll let everyone know via our various channels: Elephant Cam, Blog, Facebook, Twitter
And so the wait continues.. not sure who’s more anxious for this birth Swazi, the keepers or all of us watching..
Moderator’s note: The moderator
Curtis, I noticed this morning that Swazi is leaking from her temporal glands which I hadnt seen before. Does this mean that she’s feeling stressed? She’s probably even more anxious than anyone else is to get her baby out.
We were there this morning and enjoyed lots of time viewing the elephants. Other than a bit of baby exercises going on inside Swazi, she looks just like all the others. Park guests were trying hard to figure which one was expecting. Swazi was enjoying a large branch when the Park first opened, and was munching hay around noon. All were up to their usual habits, interactions, and tricks. It was such an enjoyable morning there, and the cool weather was more than welcome. And my first thoughts were “next month.”. Swazi seemed so very content.
Looks like baby is here! Webcam now focused on Momma and baby!
Is that the new calf I see? Awesome.
DO I SEE BABY???
NEW BABY!!
Baby’s arrived!
Congrats to Swazi and the new little girl.. Yeah.. Poor Mac he’s not number one anymore.. shall be interesting to see how he reacts to no more nursing and a new baby sister.
It’s a GIRL finally!!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!
Baby is oh so CUTE! Wow, so so cute! And Mac, he looks a little perplexed at the moment. : )
This is the first time in his entire life that he’s seen an elephant who is *smaller* than he is.
No wonder he’s perplexed!
Oops, my mistake, I had him confused with the youngest
We’re all on pins and needles here, saw the baby around 8:25 this morning – Moderator, someone – Please tell us what time the newby was born – and is it finally a Girl?!?
Welcome sweet pea, Amazing how we forget just how ‘tiny’ they are at first – wow, so precious.
Is that Kami, Emanti, and Macembe in the larger half of the upper yard? They were all over the place earlier, spinning around like tops, or kids on way too much sugar – excited with the newby?, or something else we couldn’t see?
Thanks
Moderator’s note: She was born at 3:39 a.m. this morning (August 28).
Cam operator has been showing everything other than newborn this afternoon. Can we get more coverage of the baby we have all been waiting to see?
Awwww, too sweet. Kami is trying so hard to be with Swazi’s new baby. Thanks cam operator for these nice moments.
Congrats to all!! Such a sweetie, but then aren’t they all
It doesn’t look like the baby can reach mamma to drink. Have you seen her suckle today?
Elephant Team responds: Mom is positioning herself as a good mom would to allow calf to nurse. And she is nursing!
Has the placenta passed?
Yes, late evening.
Great news!
Congrats to all, especially Swazi. She’s awfully cute. Now we have two babies to watch grow up at SDZ. Wonderful!
Was watching the new baby with mom at about 7:50 p.m. Eastern Time, when suddenly 6 or more ellies rushed up to the fence to check out the new kid on the block. Absolute cuteness! Wonder what the little one thought when she saw them coming up to her. Wish I knew which one was Mac, poor guy. Probably wonders why he can’t be with mom.
Just saw the birth announcement video. Has Newbie found Swazi’s nipples yet?
Moderator’s note: Yes indeed!
Great!