Two lactating African elephants—Umngani (pronounced OOM-gah-nee), who gave birth to a healthy female calf, Mkhaya or “Kaia”, on Sept. 26, 2018; and Ndulamitsi, known as Ndula, who gave birth to a healthy male calf, Umzuli-Zuli or “Zuli,” on Aug. 12, 2018—are participating in a nutritional study, allowing researchers to study the content of their milk.

Young patients, their families and invited guests were treated to a visit with some amazing animal ambassadors—including a hedgehog, a great horned owl, and a blue and gold macaw from the Sacramento Zoo—at a gathering at UC Davis Children’s Hospital earlier today (Jan. 10, 2019).