After 10 days of voting that raised nearly $60,000 for the zoo’s elephant care program, fans chose the name Linh Mai, which is Vietnamese for spirit blossom.
The Asian elephant calf that was born to female Asian elephant Nhi Linh on Feb. 2, 2026 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. (Courtesy Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
After 10 days of voting that raised nearly $60,000 for the zoo’s elephant care program, fans chose the name Linh Mai, which is Vietnamese for “spirit blossom.”
Linh means “spirit” or “soul,” and Mai refers to the apricot blossom, a flower associated with the Lunar New Year, which begins Feb. 17 this year.
The name was one of four offered for a public online vote from Feb. 3 to Feb. 12. Fans were invited to vote for their favorite name by making a donation of $5 of more, with $1 representing one vote.
Here’s a breakdown of the results:
Linh Mai (spirit blossom) — $22,885 (39%)
Tú Ahn (talented, gifted, bright and intelligent) — $20,627 (35%)
Tuyết (snow) — $8,153.70 (14%)
Thảo Nhi (gentle and beloved) — $7,227 (12%)
Linh Mai is the first Asian elephant born at the D.C. zoo in nearly 25 years.
“Her birth is a significant conservation success for the Zoo and this endangered species, as fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the world,” the zoo said in a news release announcing the name.
The 11-day-old calf will make her public debut and her first appearance on the zoo’s Elephant Cam in the spring.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. is preparing for the birth of a large “charismatic and charming” animal: an Asian elephant.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
A baby Asian elephant will be born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo for the first time in 25 years
The Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. is preparing for the birth of a large “charismatic and charming” animal: an Asian elephant calf.
Zoo officials announced Monday morning that an Asian elephant is expected to give birth between mid-January and early March 2026. Elephant pregnancies typically last between 18 and 22 months.
It would be the first elephant birth at the National Zoo in nearly 25 years and a first-time pregnancy for Nhi Linh, 12-year-old elephant
Brandie Smith, the zoo’s director, said the birth represents hope for the species’ future. “The first step to saving any species is getting people to care,” Smith said in a news release.
“As animal ambassadors, elephant calves are as charming and charismatic as they come. I can’t wait for visitors to experience the joy of watching our multigenerational herd socialize, play and learn — reminding us how much we share with these gentle, intelligent animals.”
Staff are “cautiously optimistic” that Nhi Linh will deliver a healthy calf.
Matchmakers pair ‘feisty’ Nhi Linh with ‘laid-back’ Spike
Scientists track elephant lineage in a “studbook” and give breeding recommendations through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
The National Zoo said factors that go into that recommendation include “the individuals’ genetic relatedness to one another, overall health and temperament.”
The process maintains genetic diversity of the population of elephants in captivity, the zoo said.
As far as personality traits go, zoo staff described Nhi Linh as “feisty and rambunctious.”
“She is very inquisitive and brave when trying or exploring new things,” the zoo said in the news release. “Keepers say she is smitten with Spike, who exudes a laid-back, ‘gentlemanly’ attitude.”
Their calf will join a herd of six elephants — its parents, grandmother Trong Nhi, 22, Bozie, 51, Swarna, 51, and Maharani, 35.
Asian elephant Nhi Linh (foreground) is pregnant and expected to give birth in early 2026 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in D.C. Male Spike is the calf’s father.
(background)
background
It’s a first-time pregnancy for 12-year-old female elephant, Nhi Linh. She’s expected to give birth sometime between mid-January and early March 2026.
(Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Zookeepers said Nhi Linh has willingly participated in ultrasounds.
(Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Elephant pregnancies come with risk
Nhi Linh was bred with Spike in April 2024 and a few months later, staff confirmed her pregnancy using a blood test.
The female elephant willingly participates in ultrasounds to track the fetus’ development. She also takes part in daily strength and flexibility exercises, including one designed to help her nurse the calf after it is born.
Staff will be tracking her progesterone levels to indicate when she’s ready to give birth.
As is the case with pregnancies in other species, elephants run the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or another complication.
Spike has sired three calves at other zoos, but none have survived.
Around the same time Nhi Linh was bred with Spike, the stud also conceived with Nih Linh’s mom, Trong Nhi. Late last month, she showed signs of discomfort and after testing her hormones through a blood test, zookeepers believe her fetus “may no longer be viable.”
Trong Nhi is in stable condition and is socializing as normal, zoo staff said.
“Breeding Asian elephants in human care is worthwhile for many reasons, not the least of which is this species is critically endangered,” said Robbie Clark, elephant manager, in a news release.
“Our team has been working tirelessly to set Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh up for success, and we were hopeful that both would have healthy calves. While that is not likely in the cards for Trong Nhi, we are excited to see how she steps into her new role as grandmother.
A rare event at the National Zoo
The zoo has welcomed only a few baby elephants in its history. The species is endangered, with just 50,000 Asian elephants worldwide.
Kumari, the first Asian elephant to be born at the National Zoo in 1995, died unexpectedly after 16 months, according to Smithsonian archives.
Kandula, another elephant born at the zoo in November 2001, became the first captive male of his species to be conceived through artificial insemination. He was moved to the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2015 to breed.
The zoo plans to give updates throughout Nhi Linh’s pregnancy. It also hopes to raise $23 million in public and corporate donations to expand its elephant conservation program and fund research.
This is a developing story. Stick with WTOP for the latest.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Kamala, a longtime member of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian elephant herd, was euthanized on Saturday following years of struggling with osteoarthritis.
Asian elephant Kamala often raised her trunk to greet keepers in anticipation of receiving food. (Courtesy Robbie Clark, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
(Courtesy Robbie Clark, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
Courtesy Robbie Clark, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Asian elephant Kamala participates in a training session with animal keeper Amanda Bobyack at the Elephant Trails outdoor habitat. (Courtesy Amanda Bobyack, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
(Courtesy Amanda Bobyack, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
Courtesy Amanda Bobyack, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Kamala, a longtime member of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian elephant herd, was euthanized Saturday in D.C. following years of struggling with osteoarthritis.
Even while measures were taken over the last several years to preserve Kamala’s health and quality of life, her physical condition had irreversibly declined, the Smithsonian said in a news release.
“Given Kamala’s declining quality of life and poor long-term prognosis, animal care staff made the decision to humanely euthanize her,” the zoo said in a statement.
Kamala, who was born in the wild, was estimated to be about 50 years old.
After she was put to sleep, the zoo said other members of the elephant herd, Maharani, Swarna, Spike, Bozie, Trong NHI and NHI Linh, were given an opportunity “to spend some time with their deceased herd mate.”
According to the zoo, Kamala was born in Sri Lanka around 1975 and first lived at an elephant orphanage in Pinnawalla, before being moved with her longtime herd mate, Swarna, to the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. Kamala gave birth to two offspring while in Canada.
Kamala, her daughter Maharani, and Swarna were all transferred to the National Zoo in D.C. in 2014. It was around then animal care staff at the zoo began noticing and treating the symptoms that would eventually develop into severe osteoarthritis.
Her longtime elephant companions, Maharani and Swarna, were the last to visit with Kamala after her passing Saturday afternoon.
“Swarna and Maharani were the last to visit. Maharani spent quite a long time investigating the body, blowing into her mouth and trunk and nudging Kamala’s head,” according to the zoo.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
