Asian elephant calf makes her public debut at DC’s National Zoo
The 2-month-old calf is the zoo’s first Asian elephant birth in nearly 25 years and is helping conservation efforts for the endangered species.
- On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Linh Mai, a 2-month-old Asian elephant, made her public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, coinciding with Earth Day.
- Born February 2, Linh Mai is the first elephant calf at the zoo in nearly 25 years, though keepers separated her from her mother, Nhi Linh, shortly after birth due to aggressive behavior.
- Now weighing nearly 500 pounds, Linh Mai is being reared by an 'auntie,' Swarna, and elephant manager Robbie Clark described her as 'rambunctious, sassy and playful.'
- Visitors lined up early Wednesday to glimpse the calf, with some witnessing bottle-feedings, as D.C. resident Benji Gering said he and others were excited to visit.
- Zoo officials hope Linh Mai's popularity will spotlight conservation efforts for endangered Asian elephants, with the zoo recommending visitors reserve trips 30 days in advance or watch via the Elephant Cam livestream.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Orlando Sentinel
Asian elephant calf makes her public debut at DC’s National Zoo
The hottest new celebrity in Washington, D.C., is Asian elephant calf Linh Mai.
The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC has a new star: Linh Mai, the first Asian elephant calf born on its premises in almost 25 years, made her debut in front of the public on Wednesday, April 22, right on Earth Day. In two months of life, the little one already weighs about 500 pounds and has conquered her caregivers with their curiosity and itching.Linh Mai, "spirit in bloom" in VietnameseThe name was chosen by the public in an online …
Baby elephant makes Earth Day debut at National Zoo
A 2-month-old Asian elephant named Linh Mai made her public debut Wednesday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, marking the first elephant birth at the facility in nearly 25 years and drawing a crowd of visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the endangered species' newest arrival on Earth Day.
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