Elephant Zuri celebrates first birthday

SALT LAKE CITY — Hogle Zoo's beloved baby elephant will celebrate her first birthday Saturday.

African elephant Zuri has become a favorite for guests since her birth to mom Christie on Aug. 10, 2009. Her curiosity, energy and childlike antics are a fun sight. Zuri often can be found running around the play yard, pushing balls, throwing her wading pool, walking backward or spinning.

"It seems like a year has gone by really fast, and it's hard to think it was a whole year ago that Zuri was born," said Doug Tomkinson, Hogle Zoo's elephant manager. "Our guests care for Zuri. They've watched her grow and play. It will be good for people to come out and help her celebrate her first birthday."

Guests are invited to celebrate with Zuri on Saturday. The guest of honor will arrive at 10:30 a.m., and zoo visitors can watch her open her presents and eat her large birthday cake.

The first 500 guests to visit the Oasis Plaza after Zuri's party will receive a free cupcake. Guests also can sign an oversized card for Zuri, and kids can make crafts.

You can see more on Zuri at babyzuriblog.com.

Facts on the pachyderm

 Zuri gains 1.7 pounds a day. She should be 890 pounds by her birthday.

 A team of German scientists artificially inseminated mother Christie in October 2007. Jackson, a male elephant in the Pittsburgh Zoo, is the father.

 Zuri was born after a 22-month gestation period — the longest pregnancy of any land animal.

 The name Zuri, voted on by 10,000 zoo guests, means "adorable" or "beautiful" in African.

 Zuri's birth statistics: 251 pounds, 36 inches tall.

— Amelia Nielson-Stowell