BREAKING BABY ELEPHANT NEWS: Smithsonian's National Zoo in DC welcomes newborn Asian elephant

[mahatmakanejeeves]

BOMBSHELL! (Except that an elephant pregnancy lasts 18 to 22 months.)

Smithsonian’s National Zoo in DC welcomes newborn Asian elephant

Ciara Wells | [e-mail]
February 3, 2026, 9:00 AM


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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in D.C. is welcoming its first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years. ... The female calf, whose name has not yet been decided, was born around 1:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2 to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and 44-year-old father Spike. This is Nhi Linh’s first offspring.

Nhi Linh and Spike bred in April 2024, the pregnancy was 21 months. Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average, the zoo said.

Asian elephants are an endangered species and the zoo said the newborn calf will “help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and around the world.”

The calf, who weighed 308 pounds, will spend a month bonding with her herd members behind the scenes until she makes her public debut. The zoo said building those bonds is critical for the baby animal’s development.

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Ciara Wells
Ciara Wells is the Evening Digital Editor at WTOP. She is a graduate of American University where she studied journalism and Spanish. Before joining WTOP, she was the opinion team editor at a student publication and a content specialist at an HBCU in Detroit.
[e-mail]

[SheltieLover]

1. Welcome, sweet baby girl!

[Frasier Balzov]

2. Check the thermostat one more time won't you?