“The Zoo’s day-old female Asian elephant calf explores an enclosure inside the Elephant Barn Feb. 3, 2026. Photo by Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute”
From the National Zoo:
“For the first time in nearly 25 years, elephant care staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) are celebrating the birth of an Asian elephant—an endangered species. The female calf was born overnight Feb. 2 at 1:15 a.m. to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and 44-year-old father Spike. The pair bred in April 2024 following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average; Nhi Linh’s pregnancy was 21 months.
This calf is the first offspring for Nhi Linh. Although Spike sired three calves at other zoos, none survived. Because Nhi Linh and Spike’s genes are not well represented in zoos, their calf will help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and around the world.
“After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy,” said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI. “When you see the calf and those heartwarming interactions with the herd, I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species. What we learn from our elephants in D.C. directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants across Southeast Asia. I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose expertise made this moment possible for Nhi Linh and for all of us.”
With the arrival of this big bundle of joy, the Zoo is inviting the public to be a part of something giant: an opportunity to name the calf and contribute directly to elephant care and conservation. Inspired by Nhi Linh’s name, which is of Vietnamese origin, the elephant care team has selected four names:
Linh Mai [LIN-my]: spirit blossom. Linh means “spirit” or soul;” Mai refers to the apricot blossom, a flower associated with Tết (Lunar New Year), which begins Feb. 17.
Thảo Nhi [TOW-nee]: gentle and beloved. Thảo means gentle or kind and is associated with nature; Nhi means small, little one, or beloved.
Tú Anh [TOO-ahng]: Tú means talented or gifted; Anh means bright and intelligent.
Tuyết [TWET]: Traditionally means “snow,” referencing her winter birth.
Starting today, fans can vote for their favorite name by making a donation of $5 or more on the Zoo’s website, with $1 representing one vote. The polls will close Friday, Feb. 13, at noon, and the name that receives the most donations will be the winning name. Shortly thereafter, the Zoo will announce the calf’s name on its website. All funds raised will directly support Asian elephant care and conservation.
Before the calf makes her public debut, she will spend up to a month off-exhibit bonding with Nhi Linh, their herd members and keepers behind the scenes. Asian elephants are an intelligent, sensitive and social species, so building these bonds is critical to the calf’s development. The Elephant Community Center will be closed intermittently to provide quiet for Nhi Linh and her calf. Staff aim to give them access to the other indoor and outdoor habitats as soon as possible. However, outdoor access will be largely weather dependent.”