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National Zoo’s New Elephant Calf Sets April 22 Public Debut

The calf’s intensive care and surrogate support reflect a broader push to sustain critically endangered Asian elephants.

Overview

  • Linh Mai will meet the public on April 22 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, with the elephant cam returning that day for remote viewing.
  • Zoo staff say the two-month-old weighs about 462 to 464 pounds and is putting on 25 to 30 pounds each week.
  • Keepers are bottle-feeding her every two hours after her mother, Nhi Linh, did not nurse or show maternal behavior.
  • Early digestive trouble was treated with a fecal transplant, and staff now describe her health and activity as strong.
  • An older female, Swarna, has taken on a maternal role that is shaping Linh Mai’s social skills as keepers teach name recognition, stationing and targeting.