Werribee Zoo, in Melbourne's southwest, is expecting three not-so-small additions to its majestic Asian elephant herd.
Elephant mothers Num-Oi, Dokkoon and Mali are all pregnant and their calves are expected to arrive in mid-2027.
Zoo staff revealed the elephants' pregnancies on Friday after the herd of nine marked their first anniversary at the zoo's Elephant Trail habitat.
"The elephants have been secretly hiding this news themselves from you all, and we've been aware of it because we've managed this herd to support these pregnancies," Elephant Trail co-ordinator Lucy Truelson told AAP.
The expectant mothers are doing well and have plenty of previous experience, with their three-year-old calves still running around the zoo's grounds.
The soon-to-be older siblings will help their mothers raise the new herd members.
"Young females in the herd will get to watch their mothers mother, so when they get the opportunity down the track, they've got these amazing life skills they can draw on," Ms Truelson said.
The newborns will also benefit from the wisdom, love and support of multiple generations.
"They'll be the most protected, spoiled and looked after little calves," Ms Truelson said.
Visitors to Werribee Zoo will be able to witness the herd and their expected babies at the 21-hectare Elephant Trail, which is the size of the entire Melbourne Zoo.
Children younger than 16 can visit the zoo for free on public holidays, weekends and during school holidays as part of the government's Kids Go Free program.
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