Move Over Celebrity Babies: The National Zoo's Baby Elephant Linh Mai Is Making a Grand Debut
Rihanna's Rocki, Sofia Richie Grainge's Henry, Jack Osbourne's Ozzy Matilda, and Joey Larence's Ford may have all made recent headlines. But there's one celebrity baby who is stealing the spotlight away from these famous faces. And, she weighs just under 500 pounds.
There's a new baby in town! The Smithsonian's National Zoo recently welcomed a new female Asian elephant back in February, and this plucky pachyderm made waves in the conservation community as the first of her kind born in captivity in nearly 25 years.
When Was the Baby Elephant Born at the National Zoo?
The National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) announced the birth of Linh Mai after a 21-month pregnancy. Born to 12-year-old Nhi Linh and 44-year-old Spike (and yes, that's quite the age difference), the calf has quietly roamed the zoo for a few months now. While her mother hasn't had a major presence in Linh Mai's life, the baby elephant has reportedly gotten closer to her "Auntie Swarma." The 52-year-old elephant has never had children of her own, but according to the National Zoo, she has stepped up and taken on a maternal role.
When Can the Public See Linh Mai?
April 22 is a major day for fans of the new baby. Even though Linh Mai has already made news, with the National Zoo providing plenty of photos, videos, and updates, this is the first day for the public to view the now two-month-old. Not only can you catch a glimpse of the calf in person, but if you don't have a visit planned to Washington, D.C. anytime soon, you can also watch her on the Elephant Cam.
Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the NZCBI, said, in a press release, "Watching an elephant calf explore and interact with her herd is one of the most heartwarming and joyful experiences you can have at a zoo." Smith continued, "We are so excited to introduce Linh Mai to our members and the public. As the first elephant born here in nearly 25 years, her birth was historic, not only for our Zoo family but also for this critically endangered species."
The NZCBI's director also added, "I can't wait for visitors to see her, learn about our work to protect elephants here and across Southeast Asia, and feel inspired to help save them in the wild."
This isn't the first time the public has had a chance to, in a way, interact with the baby elephant. In February, the National Zoo gave fans of the calf a chance to help choose her name. The winning moniker, Linh Mai, means spirit blossom.
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 6:18 AM.