Oh, Baby! ABQ BioPark’s Rozie the Elephant is Expecting a Big Bundle of Joy
The ABQ BioPark is excited to announce that our beloved Asian elephant, Rozie, is expecting a baby in late 2024.
“We’re thrilled about Rozie’s pregnancy,” said Amber Alink, curator of elephants and primates. “Everyone at the BioPark is looking forward to a new calf joining our family and continuing our commitment to conserving this endangered species.”
Elephant gestation is about 22 months, and the calf is expected to arrive in December. Rozie’s pregnancy may be the result of natural breeding or artificial insemination, both of which occurred in February 2023. Paternity will be determined through a DNA test after birth.
Thirty-one-year-old Rozie was born at the BioPark and is part of a herd that includes her mother, Alice. The pregnancy thus far has been healthy, Dr. Bradford said, and the animal care team remains cautiously optimistic that it will remain so.
Rozie is being regularly monitored by the BioPark’s expert animal care team, who gave her a clean bill of health. “Our staff is ensuring both Rozie and her calf receive top-notch, specialized prenatal care during this long gestation period,” Alink said, When Rozie’s due date gets closer, a team of trained volunteers and staff will conduct a 24-hour birth watch.
Asian elephants are an endangered species, and wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The BioPark is designated as an Elephant Breeding Facility by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Elephant Species Survival Plan.
Stay tuned for updates on Rozie’s pregnancy journey and the upcoming arrival of our new zoo family member by visiting our website and following us on social media.
Media: The curator of elephants is available today, March 12, at 3:00 p.m. for any interview requests.
Photos of Rozie are available here: https://adobe.ly/3Iw8RVJ
ABOUT THE ABQ BIOPARK
The ABQ BioPark is a living environmental museum that protects the natural world and connects communities with nature. It is a refuge for thousands of animals and plants cared for by zoological, marine and botanical experts who lead significant science-based conservation work in New Mexico and around the world. The BioPark consists of four distinct areas: ABQ BioPark Aquarium, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, ABQ BioPark Zoo, and Tingley Beach.
The ABQ BioPark is an accessible facility and a division of the Department of Arts & Culture, City of Albuquerque, Tim Keller, Mayor. We are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Public Gardens Association. In 2023, ABQ BioPark earned the American Humane Certified™ seal of approval for its excellent treatment of animals and commitment to conservation. For more information, visit www.abqbiopark.com or call 311 locally or 505-768-2000 (Relay NM or 711).