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.
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Tula-Tu, January 2026; courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.
Portland, Ore. – The Oregon Zoo hosts a first birthday celebration Sunday for the state’s LARGEST celebrity.
Tula-Tu is just like any other toddler. “She knows she’s the center of attention,” says Steve Lefave, who oversees the Oregon Zoo’s elephant care program, “She demands that.” At one year old, he says she is happy and healthy, “She’s just about at a thousand pounds. We’re not quite there, but we’re just about to cross that threshold, and that’s right on track for a calf at this age.”
While Tula has captured the hearts of zoo visitors and millions of fans online, Lefave says she also changes the dynamic of her herd, with adult elephants helping to care for her. “The social dynamic is kind of a glue, if you will, that brings the herd a bit closer together. It can sometimes cause changes in relationships. So it’s just a very dynamic time for the herd.”
Female elephants typically stay with their herd, so we’ll get to watch her mature. “We’ll see her continue to grow and become ‘Punkier,’ is the term that we use with young elephants – you know, they’ll get in trouble, they explore a lot of things; very curious,” says Lefave, laughing, “That trunk can get into a lot of places; it’ll get you into trouble sometimes.”
Tula was an immediate sensation, following her 2025 birth. “Times are kind of odd and people are looking for something positive to pay attention to,” says Lefave. “She just brings joy to anybody, from a little kid to our elders, when they’re visiting. It’s nice to see that universal joy, if you will, come from this little life that’s running around.”
The Oregon Zoo hosts a birthday celebration Sunday, from 9:30 to 4. Click HERE for more information. The first 500 guests receive a birthday gift from the Portland Fire WNBA team.
The Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. is preparing for the birth of a large “charismatic and charming” animal: an Asian elephant.
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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.
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The newest resident of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s has made her debut at the park.
After a long journey, African elephant calf Corra made her first appearance Thursday with her family at the park’s Kilimanjaro Safaris exhibit at just two months old.
Baby Corra, weighing in at 312 pounds, was born to mother Nadirah, also born at Disney in 2005. Corra’s birth marks the first second-generation elephant birth in the park’s history.
It’s a family affair at the Kilimanjaro Safaris, where Corra joins not only her mother, but her aunts, grandmother and her father, Mac.
Corra’s birth was a nearly two-year-long process that started with the animal care team’s decision that Nadirah was ready for motherhood, according to the official Disney Parks Blog. Nadirah’s successful pregnancy and birth were made possible through Disney’s work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
Through that collaboration, Disney is looking to further its efforts in conservation. Disney expects its African elephant community to expand even further with two more babies anticipated for 2025.
