The National Zoo's rare baby elephant is ready to debut
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Linh Mai is ready to make a splash. Photo: Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Watch out, panda cubs — a new zoo baby is ready for the spotlight.
Why it matters: Asian elephant calf Linh Mai is the first born at the National Zoo in 25 years — a big win for elephant conservation, and unforgettably cute.
Driving the news: The 2-month-old makes her public debut April 22 (Earth Day).
- She's been bonding with her herd behind the scenes, but Linh Mai — Vietnamese for "spirit blossom" — is no wallflower.
What they're saying: "She's sassy, playful — she's going to be demanding," elephant manager Robbie Clark tells Axios.
Zoom in: The 463-pound calf is bottle-fed every two hours, gaining about a pound a day.
- She's also enjoying daily bubble baths with elephant-safe soap — equal parts hygiene and playtime.
Zoom out: Breeding Asian elephants isn't easy: pregnancies last 18–22 months (the longest of any land animal), and finding healthy, genetically diverse parents takes major effort.
- That makes Linh Mai's arrival a jumbo deal.
Between the lines: Caretakers are giving first-time mom Nhi Linh space, who's been hesitant to bond.
- Meanwhile, herd "aunties" Swarna and Bozie are stepping in, showing Linh Mai the ropes.
The intrigue: Elephants paint for fun! In one piece, dad Spike added a footprint; mom Nhi Linh went full Pollock with a splatter. You can win it for free (through April 24).
