For the first time in nearly 25 years, an Asian elephant has been born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC. The female calf, weighing 308lb (140kg), was born at 1.15am on 2 February to mother Nhi Linh, aged 12, and father Spike, aged 44.
“After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy,” said Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). “What we learn from our elephants in DC directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants across south-east Asia.”
Asian elephant pregnancies last on average 18 to 22 months, and Nhi Linh’s pregnancy was 21 months. The calf is Nhi Linh’s first offspring, although Spike sired three calves at other zoos that did not survive. Since the genes of Nhi Linh and Spike are not well represented in zoos, their calf will help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and worldwide.
The calf will spend a month bonding with her mother before making her public debut. The zoo is inviting the public to vote for a name by making a $5 donation. The four Vietnamese names to choose from are Linh Mai, Thảo Nhi, Tú Anh, and Tuyết.
