Sedgwick Zoo Expands Elephant Barn as Herd Grows

November 3, 2025

Images courtesy Sedgwick Zoo

Sedgwick Zoo is expanding its elephant barn to accommodate its rapidly growing herd, driven by a surge in births following the arrival of a new bull in 2023. The zoo’s current barn, built in 2016 for up to nine elephants, needed more space as five female elephants of breeding age became pregnant. The $10 million expansion will ensure the herd has ample indoor space for years to come.

During construction, visitors can still view the elephants outdoors, weather permitting. “As long as temperatures stay above about 35 degrees, the elephants can enjoy their outdoor habitats,” said Chelsey Schartz, Sedgwick Zoo Marketing Manager. “If it drops below 35 degrees, they’ll be inside, but if it’s that cold, you probably won’t be at the zoo.”

The zoo’s herd plays an important role in North American elephant conservation. Many of the elephants came from Swaziland, and their wild genetics contribute to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), enhancing genetic diversity. “Their age and existing herd dynamics have helped tremendously with the natural breeding process,” said Schartz. “At some point in the future, there is a possibility that the herd may be divided in order to create new breeding herds in another AZA institution, but that would just further benefit the genetic diversity. You can kind of think of our elephant herd here as ambassadors for their species and the wild.”

Four calves have already joined the herd, learning social behaviors, nursing, drinking water, and exploring new foods. Staff closely monitor each calf’s needs, including supplemental feeding and dietary adjustments, to ensure healthy growth. Schartz said that thanks to their strong relationships with the elephant community, they’re prepared when situations arise, such as when the second born male, Kijani, needed to gain weight more quickly.

“His mom’s diet was adjusted to help increase her milk production when he wasn’t gaining weight as quickly as we would have liked him to. Because of our prep work, we already had formula on hand. Our staff had worked with all of the moms during their pregnancies to accept our staff performing any necessary medical behaviors and these last-minute changes that we kind of had to go in and just be ready for.”

Sedgwick Zoo emphasizes keeping the herd together year-round, reflecting the multi-generational matriarchal structure of wild elephant families. Female calves remain with their mothers for life, while males eventually join bachelor herds as they reach reproductive age. Schartz said their aim is to mirror those natural social structures.

“Female calves grow up and remain with their family group, though we occasionally see some splinter off to create new groups. Male calves stay with their family group until they reach reproductive maturity, which is typically around 10 to 12 years old, and then they are removed from the herd by their mothers and kind of kicked out and move on to join a herd of their own. So, we call those bachelor herds.”

Community support for the expansion has been strong, with donors and visitors helping secure the herd’s future. Schartz said visitors want future generations to grow up seeing and learning about elephants. “Grandparents share memories of visiting our elephants since the 70s and 80s. People understand that this isn’t just about a building. It’s about ensuring world-class care for generations to come. Something that you want your family to see way down the road from now. Whether someone wants to make a donation or purchase one of our campaign t-shirts or even just visit and spend time with our herd, every bit of support matters,” she said. “We couldn’t be more grateful and more excited about what this means for the future of elephant care here in Kansas.”