{"id":8045,"date":"2026-04-24T09:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=8045"},"modified":"2026-04-24T09:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:07:36","slug":"baby-asian-elephant-makes-national-zoo-debut-on-earth-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=8045","title":{"rendered":"Baby Asian elephant makes National Zoo debut on Earth Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The first <a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodmorningamerica.com\/video\/132266922\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Asian elephant calf;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Asian elephant calf<\/a> born at the Smithsonian&#8217;s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in nearly 25 years is making her debut Wednesday, just in time for Earth Day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalzoo.si.edu\/news\/public-has-spoken-national-zoos-new-elephant-calf-named-linh-mai\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Linh Mai;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><u>Linh Mai<\/u><\/a>, whose name means &#8220;spirit blossom&#8221; in Vietnamese, is now 2 months old and has already made a significant impression on her handlers at the Washington, D.C., zoo.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images - PHOTO: Linh Mai, a 2-month-old Asian elephant, wanders her enclosure with a female elephant Swarna at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, April 14, 2026 in Washington.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/s4Y7T.VJJf2TCF2kSzlD9w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/us.abcnews.gma.com\/dad0e5ef0dee0122b752eca8f69e0354\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images &#8211; PHOTO: Linh Mai, a 2-month-old Asian elephant, wanders her enclosure with a female elephant Swarna at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, April 14, 2026 in Washington.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;She&#8217;s sassy. She definitely has a little bit of attitude,&#8221; said Robbie Clark, an elephant manager at the National Zoo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodmorningamerica.com\/news\/story\/rare-miracle-elephant-twins-born-thailand-111008970\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Rare 'miracle' elephant twins born in Thailand;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Rare &#8216;miracle&#8217; elephant twins born in Thailand<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Clark said Linh Mai, who was born to mom Nhi Linh and dad Spike, also loves to play.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Her favorite pastime, I would say, is bathtime,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s great for her development. It&#8217;s good enrichment. It keeps her interested, active, playing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Kevin Lamarque\/Reuters - PHOTO: Asian elephant calf Linh Mai, born on February 2, is bottle-fed during her public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, April 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"652\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/n9.7jmDjZpj1tdvnDBRqkQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1MjtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/us.abcnews.gma.com\/ca9e5d305f0062e4d90f8091c934bc79\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Kevin Lamarque\/Reuters &#8211; PHOTO: Asian elephant calf Linh Mai, born on February 2, is bottle-fed during her public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When she was born on Feb. 2, Linh Mai weighed 308 pounds. Now, she&#8217;s nearly 500 pounds, according to Clark, who said Linh Mai is still growing every day, with a weight gain average of about 3 pounds a day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images - PHOTO: Linh Mai, a 2-month-old Asian elephant, wanders her enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, April 14, 2026 in Washington.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"678\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/h2ggBC3S0CeZVZXz6ohCZg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY3ODtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/us.abcnews.gma.com\/e8f856c8eeb78e2ebcbc1b022ff33184\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images &#8211; PHOTO: Linh Mai, a 2-month-old Asian elephant, wanders her enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, April 14, 2026 in Washington.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Linh Mai has also been bonding with her mother and members of their herd.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Kevin Lamarque\/Reuters - PHOTO: Visitors watch Asian elephant calf Linh Mai, born on February 2, during her public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, April 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/eW2qJcnTdPEUTTM0zB.yIA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/us.abcnews.gma.com\/1c2d6dd30a5cf6c95f88473e7840604b\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Kevin Lamarque\/Reuters &#8211; PHOTO: Visitors watch Asian elephant calf Linh Mai, born on February 2, during her public debut at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The National Zoo hopes Linh Mai&#8217;s growing popularity will shine a strong spotlight on the conservation efforts of Asian elephants, who are an endangered species.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/goodmorningamerica.com\/video\/88717891\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Baby elephant plays with bubbles at zoo;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Baby elephant plays with bubbles at zoo<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We hope that when people come here to the zoo and see her, they fall in love and have an interest to learn and understand more about the plight that Asian elephants face in the wild and turn that into action,&#8221; Clark said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Visitors can see Linh Mai in action when they visit the National Zoo. Admission is free, but as interest in the calf and zoo is high, the zoo recommends reserving visits 30 days in advance. The zoo also offers an <a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalzoo.si.edu\/webcams\/elephants\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Elephant Cam;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><u>Elephant Cam<\/u><\/a> livestream, where Linh Mai will also make appearances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first Asian elephant calf born at the Smithsonian&#8217;s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in nearly 25 years is making her debut Wednesday, just in time for Earth Day. Linh Mai, whose name means &#8220;spirit blossom&#8221; in Vietnamese, is now 2 months old and has already made a significant impression on her handlers at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8046,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[11179,1779,8869,11768,49,11767,249,687,11773,2136,628,10123,11771,5197,11772,3489,11769,2269,3750,4348,5222,7171,11775,11776,10395,11774,1736,1191,10389,923,67,66,1241,1182,299,11777,10397,1800,5408,10400,454,11770,5881],"class_list":["post-8045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets-news","tag-anna","tag-april","tag-asian","tag-asian-elephant","tag-baby","tag-baby-asian","tag-born","tag-calf","tag-clark","tag-conservation","tag-day","tag-debut","tag-debut-earth","tag-earth","tag-earth-day","tag-elephant","tag-elephant-national","tag-enclosure","tag-february","tag-getty","tag-growing","tag-images","tag-kevin","tag-lamarque","tag-linh","tag-moneymaker","tag-month","tag-national","tag-national-zoo","tag-park","tag-pe-ts-fun","tag-pets-news","tag-photo","tag-pounds","tag-public","tag-reuters","tag-smithsonian","tag-visitors","tag-wanders","tag-washington","tag-zoo","tag-zoo-debut","tag-zoological"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8045\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}