US EditionSmithsonian’s National Zoo in DC welcomes newborn Asian elephant
The newborn female calf weighed 308 pounds and her birth supports conservation efforts to enhance genetic diversity of endangered Asian elephants, zoo officials said.
- On Feb. 2, 2026, the Smithsonian's National Zoo welcomed a female Asian elephant calf at 1:15 a.m., its first in nearly 25 years, born to 12-year-old Nhi Linh and 44-year-old Spike.
- Paired under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan in April 2024, the pair bred with an approximately 21-month pregnancy and fewer than 52,000 Asian elephants remaining.
- Weighing 308 pounds at birth, the newborn female calf measured 38.5 inches and zoo veterinarians and animal care staff found her healthy and walking within hours.
- The zoo launched a public naming vote through Feb. 13 where the public can donate a minimum of $5 on the zoo's website to vote for four Vietnamese-inspired names, with all funds supporting Asian elephant care.
- Conservationists note research here can directly aid wild Asian elephants, as the calf's genes are underrepresented in North American zoo populations, supporting global efforts.
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Baby elephant makes historic arrival at Smithsonian's National Zoo as first birth in nearly 25 years
Baby Asian elephant born at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. on Feb. 2, marking the zoo's first elephant birth in 25 years with female calf and mother Nhi Linh are doing well.
The Smithsonian National Zoo in DC welcomes its first Asian elephant breeding in nearly 25 years. The breeding, whose name has not yet been decided, was born around 1:15 a.m. on Monday, February 2, the daughter of Nhi Linh, 12 years old, and Spike, 44. This is the first breeding of Nhi Linh. Nhi Linh and Spike were reproduced in April 2024 and the pregnancy lasted 21 months. The pregnancy of Asian elephants lasts, on average, between 18 and 22 m…
Baby Asian Elephant Born at DC’s National Zoo
It's a girl! An elephant gave birth at the National Zoo on Monday, February 2, marking the first time in almost 25 years the zoo has welcomed a baby Asian elephant. There's an abundance of bad news in the world, but the calf is a heartening update: The species is considered endangered, and according to
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