Fourth elephant calf born at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is introducing a new face in its African elephant herd.

The zoo announced the birth of a fourth elephant calf on Tuesday. The calf’s mother, 29-year-old Jayei, gave birth Sunday morning.

“What we watched Sunday morning was simply incredible,” said Sarah Armstrong, the zoo’s elephant manager. “After about three hours of labor, Jayei delivered a female calf. She was calm and confident in helping her new calf to her feet. The rest of the herd seemed very alert, curious and even anxious, but Jayei remained relaxed and attentive to her calf.”

Jayei is the herd’s matriarch, and the zoo said she’s been a big help in the births of other calves.

The calf’s father is 22-year-old Callee, who came to the zoo in 2019. He was relocated to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita this summer.

Armstrong said Jayei handled the birth well and was back in her outdoor habitat just four hours later.

For now, the elephant family quarters will be closed to the public, but guests can get a glimpse of Jayei and her newborn in their outdoor habitat.