Indianapolis, IN
A baby rhino was born at the Indianapolis Zoo on Super Bowl Sunday
The Indianapolis Colts may have lost any hope of making it to the Super Bowl last month, but the city celebrated a different sort of win this Super Bowl Sunday: the birth of a white rhinoceros calf.
Mom Zenzele, 19, gave birth at around 9:15 a.m., local time, the Indianapolis Zoo said. Zenzele’s newborn is her seventh calf, but the zoo’s first baby rhino.
“Zenzele is an experienced and confident mom and everything is going very well,” senior rhinoceros keeper Amber Berndt said.
The zoo has not yet shared information about the baby rhino’s sex. Keepers said Zenzele is relaxed and her calf is doing well.
The zoo is now home to a herd of five rhinoceroses, including Spike, Mambo and Gloria, who is also Zenzele’s grandmother, according to the zoo. Zenzele and her baby will spend time together before they’re introduced to the rest of the herd in the spring.
The calf’s father, Kengele, lives at The Wilds, which is home base for the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science. Zenzele had also lived at The Wilds in Ohio until she came to the Indianapolis Zoo in June.
Zoo workers describe the mom’s personality as laid back, but very outgoing and curious. She also enjoys getting pets and scratches.
White rhino pregnancies last for a whopping 16 to 18 months. Newborns weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.
The zoo shared the news of Zenzele’s pregnancy last month. Rhinoceros care staff at the zoo started overnight watches this month after Zenzele began producing milk and showing signs of impending labor.
Southern white rhinos are classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. They are the only one of the five rhino species that are not considered endangered, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.
“The number of white rhinoceroses in the wild continue to decline, and it is crucial to raise awareness for their plight,” Indianapolis Zoo President and CEO Dr. Robert Shumaker said when announcing Zenzele’s pregnancy. “The historic birth of this calf will be a symbol of hope for the conservation of rhinoceroses around the world.”
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Community Love Fest 2026, an initiative happening over four days, will start on Wednesday at an Indianapolis church.
The STR8UP Mentoring Foundation, touted as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit to help at-risk urban youths, aims for the event to be a safe and productive start to summer for Indianapolis youth and families.
The kickoff rally will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 4958 Ribble Road. That’s off East 30th Street west of its intersections with Massachusetts Avenue and Emerson Avenue.
A community cleanup day will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at 3036 N. Sherman Drive, just north of East 30th Street.
A basketball tournament and a health and resource fair will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St.
STR8UP programs include educational partnerships that support students from kindergarten through young adulthood, and intramural sports to encourage teamwork and healthy competition.
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