Baby elephant Linh Mai will meet the public starting on April 22 at the National Zoo. The Asian elephant calf, born on February 2, has been adjusting to her surroundings and herd mates away from crowds.
Visitors must reserve the zoo’s standard time-entry pass to greet Linh Mai. Passes are free and can be secured online up to 30 days in advance. The Elephant Cam will also turn back on for her debut day. Zoo members have an opportunity to see the baby before the general public from April 15 to April 19.
Though she has yet to meet her adoring fans, little Linh Mai has stayed busy. According to the zoo, she’s been splashing around water and getting comfortable in her outdoor space, an open-air nursery for the petite pachyderm.
But hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine. Mom Nhi Linh has been struggling to adjust to the newest addition to the family, so Linh Mai has been temporarily separated from her. Fear not: This isn’t a Punch the monkey situation. Linh Mai has found elephant care elsewhere, cozying up to 52-year-old Swarna, and the five-week-old also recently met her father, Spike.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
