
Did you know that only three African elephants reside in the entire state of New York? Standing between eight and ten feet tall, these endangered modern-age giants live just a short drive away at Seneca Park Zoo!
Families can experience the majesty of the African elephants at Seneca Park Zoo with Genny C., Lilac, and Moki. These three amazing animals are not only tall and mighty but also incredibly intelligent, playful, and charming. According to Seneca Park Zoo, each of these elephants can respond to and understand more than fifty verbal commands.
Each of the zoo’s three female elephants has their own unique story and personality, which, for being the only African Elephants in the state, makes visiting each one truly special. According to Lindsay Brinda, Seneca Park Zoo’s assistant curator, the average African Elephant lifespan is only 39.5 years, which all three of the zoo’s elephants have proudly exceeded, thriving well into their senior years.
Genny C., the eldest member of the herd, is forty-seven years old, and came to Seneca Park Zoo with Lilac in 1979. Genny C. and Lilac were born in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Despite her age, she remains full of energy. At around 8,000 pounds, Genny C. is the tallest amongst the three elephants.
Only a year younger than Genny C., Lilac is a mighty forty-six years old. Although she is smaller in size at just 7,000 pounds and the shortest amongst the three elephants, she makes up for it with her charming personality.
Moki, who joined Seneca Park Zoo in 2015 from Jacksonville, was born in Zimbabwe in 1982, making her forty-two years old, according to Brinda. Although she weighs the most at 9,000 pounds, that doesn’t slow her down.
“Moki is the most energetic and she’s pretty intelligent. She’s always willing to figure out a problem. She’s easy to train and she can figure out enrichment toys easily,” Brinda says. This not only shows the impressiveness of Moki’s mind, but also the various ways the zoo helps to engage with the creativity and wit of these magnificent animals.
Enrichment toys are objects or activities specifically designed to stimulate an animal’s natural behaviors, as well as encourage problem-solving and improve their mental and physical capabilities. These enrichment toys help improve the overall well-being of the zoo’s elephants by simulating challenges they could face in the wild, like toys that release food or treats when manipulated correctly, as well as puzzle feeders that promote cognitive stimulation.
Other examples for enrichment toys can include tree stumps or logs, to simulate an elephant marking their territory in the wild, or balls and large rubber toys that they can push, roll, or carry, to help them exercise their muscles more and improve their coordination skills. These toys are important in preventing boredom, promoting natural, instinctual behaviors, and reducing stress.
Brinda talks about the intricate care that goes into ensuring their elephants live long, happy, and healthy lives, saying that the elephants are “spoiled rotten.”
“Our girls are all geriatric. I mean, because they’re in their forties, they are considered geriatric elephants, so we do a lot with geriatric care for them, which is unique to our zoo. They’ve had acupuncture, laser therapy, and they get blood draws for that. We do footcare on them at least once a month, too. They get the whole work-up.”

The zoo’s vet sees them all once a week to make sure they are staying as healthy as possible as they get older. These treatments are part of a holistic approach to their care, ensuring the elephants’ comfort and well-being as they age.
Feeding one of these giant ladies is quite a feat. On a typical day, Brinda says, each elephant gets about two bales of hay, which are around thirty-five pounds each. “They also get three to seven pounds of a special pellet. It has all their vitamins and minerals in it and is made especially for elephants. And then they can get up to like three to eight pounds of produce during the day from training,” Brinda says.
In addition, the elephants are given a cute little treat when it comes to not-so-fun vet visits. “When the vet comes and has to give them a shot or something a little bit scarier, they get bagels,” Brinda says.
So far, all three elephants are healthy as can be, despite Genny C. and Moki having some arthritis, which is quite impressive given their old age. Although Lilac is smaller than the other elephants, Brinda says her size is a good thing. “For smaller animals, arthritis doesn’t get as bad as the larger animals. So that’s good for her at least.”
Although both come from the same family, African elephants and Asian elephants are quite distinct. African elephants have interesting features such as their large ears, which are shaped like the continent of Africa. In addition, female African elephants also have tusks, whereas in Asian elephants, only the males have tusks. “And if you look at their trunk tips, they have two finger-like adaptations so they can grasp something as small as a piece of grass with that trunk. With Asian elephants, they only have one,” Brinda says.
Although the zoo is currently in off-season, they do offer a “behind-the-scenes tour” that is sold on Sundays where visitors can come meet the elephants up close. “You get to see the back, be up close to the elephants, and we take you around the barn for a tour,” Brinda says.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your family and head to Seneca Park Zoo to meet New York’s only African elephants: Genny C., Lilac, and Moki! Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking for a fun, educational adventure, the zoo guarantees an experience you won’t forget.
Read more: A head above the rest
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
Views: 6