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National Zoo Welcomes First Asian Elephant Calf in Nearly 25 Years

The birth follows an AZA Species Survival Plan pairing to support a genetically diverse population of endangered Asian elephants.

Overview

  • The female was born at 1:15 a.m. EST on Feb. 2 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.
  • First-time mother Nhi Linh, 12, and 44-year-old Spike are the parents after a 21-month pregnancy.
  • A neonatal exam found the calf healthy at 308 pounds and 38.5 inches tall, and she was walking within hours.
  • She will remain off public view for up to a month to bond with her mother and the herd under staff supervision.
  • Public naming votes tied to donations run through Feb. 13, with four Vietnamese options and the selected name to be announced in late February.