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Linhn Mai, a 10-week-old Asian elephant calf, made her public debut Wednesday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., where zoo staff introduced her to visitors at the facility’s Elephant Community Center. The zoo said she is the first elephant calf born at the National Zoo in 25 years.
The calf was born Feb. 2 to mother elephant Nhi Linh after nearly two years of pregnancy, according to the zoo’s account of Linh Mai’s arrival. As she grows, staff have been introducing her to the enrichment and surroundings associated with the Elephant Trails habitat.
Robbie Clark, the zoo’s elephant manager, said, “Linh Mai is a hoot, she’s a fantastic little elephant to get to know.” Clark added, “She’s very curious,” and said she is learning how to play with the enrichment and environment where she is living, describing her as “confident.”
At the zoo, Asian elephants live in an expansive area called Elephant Trails, which includes outdoor walkways and pools. Zoo materials about Linh Mai’s debut also pointed to the option for remote viewing through the zoo’s elephant cam for people who cannot visit Washington in person.