It’s a girl! An elephant gave birth at the National Zoo on Monday, February 2, marking the first time in almost 25 years the zoo has welcomed a baby Asian elephant. There’s an abundance of bad news in the world, but the calf is a heartening update: The species is considered endangered, and according to the World Wildlife Fund, there are less than 52,000 Asian elephants in the world.
The zoo says the baby is “healthy, alert and bright-eyed.” She weighs 308 pounds, a wee little thing for a species that eventually lands somewhere between 6,000 and 12,000 pounds in adulthood. (Yes, a new elephant is quite literally a big deal.) The calf is mom Nhi Linh’s first baby. Her pregnancy was announced in November 2025, after mating with male elephant Spike in 2024.
Similar to how the pandas had a private adjustment period to their new surroundings, Nhi Linh and her baby will spend some time out of the public eye. Even the Elephant Cam has been out of commission, though it will be back up and running when the yet-to-be-named elephant makes her debut.
Ever a bastion of democracy, the zoo is holding an online election to name their newest resident. Voting requires a $5 donation, and every dollar equals one vote. Here are the options:
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Linh Mai [LIN-my] — spirit blossom
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Thảo Nhi [TOW-nee] — gentle and beloved
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Tú Anh [TOO-ahng] — talented, gifted, bright, and intelligent.
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Tuyết [TWET] — snow
Voting closes Friday at 12 PM. In the meantime, if you’re starved for baby animal content, the Cheetah Cub Cam is still a destination for adorable antics.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
