Baby elephant makes historic arrival at Smithsonian's National Zoo as first birth in nearly 25 years

Washington, D.C., has something to trumpet about overnight after welcoming a very small and very special new resident.A baby Asian elephant was born in the early hours Monday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, a rare arrival marking the zoo’s first elephant birth in nearly 25 years, officials announced.The 308-pound, 38.5-inch calf arrived at 1:15 a.m. inside the zoo’s Elephant Trails exhibit, with animal care and veterinary staff on hand to monitor the delivery and the newborn’s first moments.The female calf spent those early hours tucked close to its mother, Nhi Linh, a 12-year-old first-time mom that zoo staff say is doing well as she bonds with her baby under the watch of keepers and veterinarians.AMERICA’S NATIONAL BIRD LAYS SECOND EGG AT FAMED CALIFORNIA NEST AS NESTING SEASON CONTINUESZoo officials described the birth as a rare and joyful milestone not only for the National Zoo, but for Asian elephant conservation more broadly.”After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy,” said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars director of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.”When you see the calf and those heartwarming interactions with the herd, I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species. What we learn from our elephants in D.C. directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants across Southeast Asia. I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose expertise made this moment possible for Nhi Linh and for all of us.” With fewer than 50,000 Asian…

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