Meet Linh Mai, the First Baby Elephant Born at the National Zoo in Nearly 25 Years
Linh Mai is the first baby elephant born at the National Zoo in 25 years. Here’s how she’s doing now.
A tiny—well, 308-pound—addition has arrived at one of the nation’s most beloved zoos, and she already has a reputation for being sassy.
A critically endangered Asian elephant calf named Linh Mai was born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Feb. 2, marking the zoo’s first elephant birth in nearly 25 years, according to zoo officials.
The calf’s public debut is scheduled for April 22—Earth Day—with a limited preview available to zoo members before that date. She has recently begun exploring outdoor areas accessible to visitors.
Why was Linh Mai rejected by her mother?
Linh Mai was born to mother Nhi Linh after nearly two years of pregnancy, weighing approximately 308 pounds at birth.
But her arrival came with an immediate challenge. Her mother rejected her shortly after birth, and the calf has since required 24-hour human care. She is being bottle-fed formula every two hours and is under constant supervision by zookeepers.
Robbie Clark, elephant manager and acting curator of the zoo’s Elephant Trails, described the intensity of that effort.
“Our team is working very, very, very hard, long hours to make sure she has everything she needs to thrive,” Clark told the Washingtonian. “It’s one of the most exhausting things that I’ve ever had to do.”
The feeding routine alone is no small feat. Clark shared a detail that illustrates just how strong the young calf already is.
“A lot of people ask if we burp her, and no, we don’t. But she has such a grip on drinking her bottles now that she actually collapses the bottle to get as much milk as she can. We have to constantly break the seal,” Clark said.
That appetite is paying off. Linh Mai has already gained more than 100 pounds and is expected to gain one to two pounds per day over the next year.
A growing personality—and a growing bond
Even as keepers serve as Linh Mai’s primary caregivers, she is not without elephant companionship. An older female elephant, Swarna, has taken on a caregiving role, helping to rear the calf. Zookeepers are also working to gradually establish a bond between Linh Mai and her mother, Nhi Linh.
Clark described the calf as “incredibly smart and curious” and said her character is becoming more apparent by the day.
“She definitely has a little personality that’s blossoming,” Clark said. “She is rambunctious. She is sassy. She’s playful. She very much loves her bath time. It’s been truly rewarding to get to know her.”
An Earth Day debut with a conservation message
Linh Mai will be viewable by the general public beginning April 22, according to zoo officials. The timing of her debut on Earth Day is intended to highlight conservation efforts for her species.
Asian elephants are critically endangered. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild, with populations declining due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and poaching.
The birth of Linh Mai offers a rare piece of hopeful news for the species and gives visitors a chance to connect with conservation in a personal way. For families and animal lovers planning a trip to the National Zoo this spring, the chance to see her explore her outdoor habitat for the first time promises to be a memorable experience.
After nearly 25 years without an elephant birth at the zoo, Linh Mai’s arrival — and her team of devoted caretakers — is a reminder of the painstaking work that goes into protecting vulnerable species, one bottle-feeding at a time.
Conversation
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