Arya News - Smithsonian’s National Zoo invites public to vote for name for female calf born to mother Nhi Linh
For the first time in almost 25 years, an Asian elephant has been born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC.
The 308lb (140kg) female calf was born at 1.15am on 2 February to 12-year-old mother Nhi Linh and 44-year-old father Spike, the zoo announced in a statement.
“After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy,” said Brandie Smith, director of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI).
“What we learn from our elephants in DC directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants across south-east Asia. I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose expertise made this moment possible for Nhi Linh and for all of us.”
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Asian elephant pregnancies last on average 18 to 22 months and Nhi Linh’s pregnancy was 21 months. The calf is Nhi Linh’s first offspring, although Spike sired three calves at other zoos who unfortunately did not survive.
Since Nhi Linh and Spike’s genes are not well represented in zoos, their calf will help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and around the world, the zoo said.
The calf will spend a month bonding with her mother before making her public debut.
The zoo is inviting the public to participate in the pachyderm celebration by giving them a chance to name the new arrival. Anyone can vote for their favorite name by making a $5 donation to the zoo. The name with the most donations will be selected. The elephant care team has selected four names to choose from, all of which are of Vietnamese origin: Linh Mai, Thảo Nhi, Tú Anh or Tuyết.