The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in D.C. is welcoming its first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in D.C. is welcoming its first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years.
The female calf, whose name has not yet been decided, was born around 1:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2 to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and 44-year-old father Spike. This is Nhi Linh’s first offspring.
Nhi Linh and Spike bred in April 2024, the pregnancy was 21 months. Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average, the zoo said.
Asian elephants are an endangered species and the zoo said the newborn calf will “help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and around the world.”
The calf, who weighed 308 pounds, will spend a month bonding with her herd members behind the scenes until she makes her public debut. The zoo said building those bonds is critical for the baby animal’s development.
The public can vote on the calf’s name from one of four options: Linh Mai, Thảo Nhi, Tú Anh or Tuyết, by making a donation of $5 or more on the zoo’s website until Feb. 13.
The zoo’s Elephant Cam went offline Jan. 23 as Nhi Linh entered her birth window. The elephant habitat is limited to in-person viewing at this time. Zoo members will be invited to an exclusive viewing of Nhi Linh and the calf once a date is announced.
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