Megan Turner Photography

04/20/2026

Mopani creeping around the tree for a sneak attack on one of her brothers.

04/19/2026

Teak comes over to check everyone out this morning. It has been an absolutely beautiful day to be outside! ☀️

04/16/2026

Today is Throwback Thursday, so it’s time for another Project Khumbula feature. It’s also Save the Elephant Day, so today I’m sharing a photo of Kenzi.

Kenzi was Raja’s third daughter, Rani’s second, and full sister to Jade (Jet’s mom). I remember voting in the public poll to help name her. Kenzi was such a spunky little girl — I affectionately called her Squeaks because she would make her little squeaking vocalizations when she was excited, content, or curious about something. Sometimes they were loud, sometimes they were so soft that you could only hear it when it was quiet out there…like it was a whispered secret that she was sharing with you. A few times, I was lucky enough to be walking through Rivers Edge when keepers were doing training sessions with Kenzi and her mom, which is always a wonderful experience — the bond between these care teams and their animals is special to witness — and Kenzi was a fast learner.

Kenz passed away on February 24, 2018, due to complications of the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV) at six years old. EEHV is a natural virus existing in elephants both under human care and in the wild, and it is a leading cause of death in young elephants.** The zoo’s staff caught the virus early in Kenzi and valiantly exhausted all efforts to save her, but EEHV works so rapidly that it can sometimes become fatal within hours — I know this brave, strong girl fought so hard. I also know that brave, strong spirit lives on here in the members of this elephant herd. She may not have been with us for as long as we expected or hoped, but she isn’t that far away either. I can still hear her little squeaks as plainly today as I did back then.

Miss you, Squeaks. Sizokukhumbula.

**To learn more about EEHV, the zoo’s on-site EEHV PCR Lab, and how zoos and conservation programs have worked tirelessly on an EEHV vaccine, I highly recommend buying a ticket to the zoo’s “Elephant Excursion” Behind the Scenes tour.

(As a reminder: the Project Khumbula features are my own personal experiences of the pictured animal and in no way represent any official statement from the zoo. Any information provided is publicly accessible information.)

04/15/2026

Today is World Art Day! A hobby I love, but one I don’t really have much time for anymore, is drawing! This is a sketch of African elephant Tombi at the Indianapolis Zoo from my first visit to the zoo several years ago. Originally, I started and restarted this sketch several times over to finally get some artwork up in my house, but halfway through, I befriended someone whom I knew would appreciate it much more than me (one of Tombi’s former keepers) and it has found a new home!

This week was supposed to be heavy on the elephant photos here (check back tomorrow), so I thought this would be the perfect share for World Art Day — African elephants are one of my favorite animals. 😊🐘🩶

04/14/2026

One of my favorite captures of handsome Tatu (No. 3 of the Bingwa Bunch)! 💛

04/13/2026

A couple of sweet moments between Dot&Co. Vasa thinks mom needs a bath, mom thinks Domovoi needs a bath and when she pulls him in, he thinks he doesn’t need one (he didn’t win that battle). 🤭

04/10/2026

Me at 3:59pm on a Friday🕓💨:

04/10/2026

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04/09/2026

Today is National Unicorn Day, so how about some chubby unicorns for you? Meet Ajabu and Kati Rain, current black rhinos living in Rivers Edge. They have twice given birth to boys Ruka and Moyo (pictured). Ruka was born in 2011 and currently resides at Kansas City Zoo, where he became a father to New Years Eve baby Zumi in 2022. After leaving the Saint Louis Zoo, Moyo was transferred to the Birmingham Zoo where he unfortunately passed away, but more on his wonderful personality and how I observed him when he gets his Project Khumbula feature here in the future.

04/08/2026

Happy Zoo Lovers Day!! Accredited zoos and aquariums are essential for the conservation work and the education they provide. Zoos reach someone right where they are to listen to, learn about, and love the animals we share our planet with, and *that* creates a critical ripple effect of support — a lifeline — for these species in the wild.

04/08/2026

First time photographing hockey — had a great time at this game!

04/06/2026

Happy National Wildlife Week — kicking it off with a couple images of Haji (L) and Tembo (R) the spotted hyenas! I am a zoo parent to these guys, and I have always loved their fantastic personalities. Tembo is such a sweet boy and Haji is absolutely fearless. 🤎🤎