WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Like any expectant parent, the Sedgwick County Zoo has things to do to prepare for babies. And the bigger the baby, the bigger the to-do list. So imagine the preparation for five baby elephants.
Five elephants are expecting and should give birth this spring and summer. The zoo says there is a critical need for increased indoor space for the growing herd. It wants to almost double the size of the Elephant Family Boma, taking it from 7,221 square feet to 13,500 square feet.
To do that, the zoo has launched the “Our Growing Herd” capital campaign to raise $10 million. The goal is to expand the boma to provide more bonding space and allow additional options to keep the herd comfortable as it grows. There would also be ample room to roam, play, and socialize, especially during the winter months when temperatures are too cold for the calves.
“This new space will also allow our community to watch the elephant herd grow and mature for years to come in an environment that will continue to closely mirror the elephants’ natural social structure,” the zoo said in a news release. “The expansion will ensure the best possible care for the multigenerational herd, promoting their physical and social well-being.”
Sedgwick County Zoo has been growing its elephant herd since 2016. It hopes to have even more babies in the future as it participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African Elephant Species Survival Plan. African elephants face numerous challenges in the wild, and each birth plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the species’ future.
The zoo hopes to break ground on the boma expansion next fall after the calves are born. It would take about a year to complete.
“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey to expand our elephant habitat,” Scott Newland, the zoo’s president and CEO, said. “Through ‘Our Growing Herd,’ our community has the opportunity to invest in our commitment to securing the future of elephants for generations to come.”
To learn more about how you can support “Our Growing Herd,” please visit SCZ.org/elephants.