In brief
In a heartwarming announcement, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo introduced Linh Mai, a playful Asian elephant calf born on February 2. Her mother, Nhi Linh, had a 24-month pregnancy, making Linh Mai a rare addition to the zoo. Visitors can watch her through the zoo's elephant cam, bringing joy to elephant lovers even from afar.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The hottest new celebrity in Washington, D.C., is Asian elephant calf Linh Mai, who made her public debut Wednesday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. She is the first elephant calf born at the zoo in 25 years.Mother elephant Nhi Linh gave birth to Linh Mai on Feb. 2 after nearly two years of pregnancy. Robbie Clark, the zoo’s elephant manager, expressed his excitement, saying, “Linh Mai is a hoot, she’s a fantastic little elephant to get to know.” “She's very curious,” Clark noted. “She’s learning how to be quite playful with the enrichment and the environment that she’s living in, and she’s confident.”The Asian elephants at the National Zoo live in an expansive area called Elephant Trails, which contains outdoor walkways and pools. For those who can’t visit Washington, the zoo provides an opportunity to check out Linh Mai on the zoo’s elephant cam.