It's almost pumpkin time!

If you were here for last year's Boo at the Zoo, you may have seen Zuri smash a few pumpkins as she got into the Halloween spirit. But, you may also have noticed that Zuri was much more fond of squashing the seasonal gourds than she was of eating them.

This year, Head Elephant Keeper Doug Tomkinson thinks all of that will change, thanks in large part to Zuri's new propensity for eating, as opposed to nursing. That's right, Zuri has ramped up her eating habits to involve many more solid foods, and less nursing.

Furthering the likelihood that our little girl will smash, and then eat her pumpkin treat is the fact that Zuri has been busy enjoying squash in her diet lately.

"She had pumpkins last year, and all she knew was to smash them," Tomkinson said. "But now she's eaten large squash and she'll likely have a better time eating the pumpkins."

So, for those of you out there who want to see Baby Zuri and her mommy smashing pumpkins and enjoying treats for Halloween, look no further than Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be candy for kids 12 and under, and a lot of fun going on in Zuri's neck of the woods. Remember, Boo at the Zoo happens rain or shine!

And, sorry folks, she won't be wearing a costume. They don't make a ballet tutu in her size!

It's Official!

Zuri hit the 1,000 lb mark today. Of course, that's a mere fraction of what she will be some day, but it's exciting none the less!

1,000 Pounds and Still So Small!

While most people aren't too fond of tracking an expanding waistline, our little Zuri is nearing a milestone weight that it is nearly impossible for a human to even think about… 1,000 pounds.

But considering that adult African elephants can weigh up to 12,000 pounds, at only one twelfth of what will one day be her weight, Zuri has quite a way to go before hitting full-grown status.

But still, Zuri nearing the 1,000 pound marker is a very fun time for us and, to give her fans some perspective on what the weight really means, below you will find some other things that also weigh 1,000 pounds:

10 hellfire missiles

119.8 Gallons of water

Just under 1/2 of a classic VW Beetle (hard top)

Just over 3 Shaquille O'Neals

222 bricks

181,436.948 pennies

1,000 16 ounce cups of coffee

Of course, even at 1,000 pounds, Zuri is still a lot cuter than all of the items listed above. So, if you have the chance, come see her while she is still small - and she's still very small and cute. In fact, many of our guests she still looks the same size she was when she was born!

And, don't worry, we will be sure and let you know the day she hits the exact number.

Plan ahead-- Gifts for Zuri's birthday!

Can you believe that Zuri the elephant is nearly one-year-old? It seems like only yesterday that keepers at Elephant Encounter were gearing up for a really big birth. Already Zuri has brought so much joy to Hogle Zoo staff and guests and next month we're going to celebrate her day.

If you're looking to help out Zuri, as well as Utah's Hogle Zoo, be sure to check out our Enrichment wish list now available on Amazon.com There are items you can purchase for Zuri's upcoming birthday party, as well as needs for other animals at Hogle Zoo.

This is an easy way for you to help our animals get more enrichment items into their exhibits. Through enrichment​, zookeepers​ provide opportunit​ies to learn, interact and exhibit natural behaviors-​ resulting in healthier,​ happier animals. The donations to the animal enrichment​ program at Utah's Hogle Zoo are tax deductible​. Please include contact informatio​n so that we can acknowledge your generous gift.

Who can resist such a face?


Also plan on joining us for Zuri's first birthday party coming up Saturday August 14 from 11 am to 2 pm. Take a look at Zuri's first year scrapbook created by Stampin' Up! and sign a birthday message to her. Watch her open her presents and cake during a special birthday program at 10:30 am, and after that there will be free cupcakes for the first 500 guests in the Oasis Plaza. There will also be make-and-take crafts from Robert's Art and Craft and Stampin Up! for the kids.

It's going to be quite a wild party!

You could visit Zuri's African ancestors!

How would you like to win a trip to Kenya and visit the land of Zuri's ancestors? Now here's your chance! You can with the Zuri African Safari Giveaway! FOX 13 has teamed up with Utah’s Hogle Zoo for an amazing contest.

First, search for Zuri, Hogle Zoo’s baby African Elephant, located somewhere new each weekday on Fox13now.com. Remember what page you found her on that day and what she was doing. Then, tune in to Fox 13 News at Nine that same night for your chance to call in to the FOX 13 Contest Line.

The first caller who can tell the folks at Fox the correct location Zuri the baby elephant was found that day and what she was doing on Fox 13’s website, wins a fabulous Park City getaway. Plus, daily winners will be invited to Zuri’s Birthday Party on August 14th at Utah’s Hogle Zoo.

All daily winners present at Zuri’s Birthday Party will be entered into a random drawing for the Grand Prize, a trip for two to go on an African Safari in May 2011!

Here's a hint: Follow us on Twitter at @Hogle_Zoo and "Like" us on Facebook because we'll post a little clue each day so it's that much easier to find Zuri on Fox's website!

Zuri's in grocery stores!

Spotted this poster of Baby Zuri at the grocery store the other day and it seems like she's everywhere this summer! On billboards. On posters. And why shouldn't she be? Zuri's amazing!

Pick up a 12 or 24 pack of Dr. Pepper or Diet Dr. Pepper cans that feature the exclusive “Baby Zuri” can panel offer – bring the can to the Zoo – and if you Buy One Regularly Priced Adult Ticket, you’ll Receive a Child’s Ticket FREE.

And don't forget to visit Zuri while you're at Hogle Zoo, she's even better in person!

Zuri's Mud Puddle

What's better than cooling off on a hot summer day than in a nice mud puddle? Zuri's got that one down!