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National Zoo Welcomes First Asian Elephant Calf in Nearly 25 Years

A donation-based public vote will choose the newborn's name through Feb. 13.

Overview

  • The female calf was born Feb. 2 at 1:15 a.m. ET at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
  • First-time mother Nhi Linh, 12, delivered a 308-pound, 38.5-inch calf who was deemed healthy in a neonatal exam.
  • The newborn will remain off exhibit for up to a month for bonding as keepers and veterinarians closely monitor her progress.
  • Breeding between Nhi Linh and 44-year-old Spike followed the AZA Species Survival Plan to bolster genetic diversity for this endangered species.
  • The zoo opened a $5-minimum naming vote through Feb. 13, with four Vietnamese-origin options and $1 counting as one vote.