For the first time in nearly 25 years, animal care staff at the Smithsonian\u2019s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., are preparing for the highly anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf. In April 2024, the Zoo\u2019s 44-year-old male elephant Spike bred with 12-year-old female Nhi Linh [NEE-lin]. Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average.\u00a0Staff are closely monitoring Nhi Linh and are cautiously optimistic she will deliver a healthy calf between mid-January and early March next year. Every birth is a boon for this endangered species, as fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis calf represents real hope for the future of Asian elephants,\u201d said Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI. \u201cThe first step to saving any species is getting people to care. As animal ambassadors, elephant calves are as charming and charismatic as they come. I can\u2019t wait for visitors to experience the joy of watching our multigenerational herd socialize, play and learn\u2014reminding us how much we share with these gentle, intelligent animals.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Nhi Linh\u2019s due date approaches, the Zoo will provide updates through its\u00a0website<\/a>,\u00a0e-newsletter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a> and\u00a0Instagram<\/a> channels. At the Elephant Trails exhibit, visitors can see the Zoo\u2019s herd up close and meet their care team during the\u00a03 p.m. daily keeper talk<\/a>. Worldwide, fans can follow the elephants\u2019 stories and stay connected via the\u00a0Elephant Cam<\/a> on the Zoo\u2019s website.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2022, Spike and Nhi Linh received a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums\u2019\u00a0Species Survival Plan<\/a> (SSP).\u00a0SSP scientists track the lineage of individual animals in a record called a \u201cstudbook.\u201d When considering which animals to breed, a studbook keeper examines the individuals\u2019\u00a0genetic relatedness<\/a> to one another, overall health and temperament, among other factors, and makes recommendations accordingly. This matchmaking process helps ensure the genetic diversity of a population in human care.<\/p>\n Spike arrived at NZCBI in\u00a0spring 2018<\/a> from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, and is on loan from Zoo Miami in Florida. NZCBI welcomed Nhi Linh and her mother, Trong Nhi, in\u00a0fall 2022<\/a> as a gift from the Rotterdam Zoo in South Holland, Netherlands. This calf will be the first offspring for Nhi Linh. Although Spike sired three calves at other zoos, none survived. Because Nhi Linh and Spike\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Keepers describe Nhi Linh\u2019s personality as feisty and rambunctious. She is very inquisitive and brave when trying or exploring new things. Keepers say she is smitten with Spike, who exudes a laid-back, \u201cgentlemanly\u201d attitude. Asian elephants are known for being extremely smart, sensitive and social.\u00a0The elephant care team is most excited to see how the calf will bond with its mother, staff and Spike, as well as their other herd mates\u2014grandmother Trong Nhi (22), Bozie (51), Swarna (51) and Maharani (35).\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the past three years, the elephant team has built positive relationships with Nhi Linh. Keepers train the elephants using positive reinforcement, a type of operant conditioning where they pair desired behaviors with rewards in the form of attention and food. Nhi Linh voluntarily participates in her own husbandry and medical training, including blood draws. A few months after Nhi Linh bred with Spike, staff used blood samples to confirm she had successfully conceived. These diagnostics are also used to track the elephants\u2019 hormones. Once her progesterone levels reach baseline, the team will know birth is imminent. Nhi Linh also voluntarily participates in ultrasounds, allowing staff to monitor fetal development, heartbeat and movement. To help her maintain optimal body condition, staff take Nhi Linh through strength and flexibility exercises daily. Some of the behaviors she has learned\u2014such as extending her legs forward on cue\u2014will be utilized if the calf needs better access to nurse.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although staff provide the highest level of prenatal care, just as with any animal pregnancy there is a possibility that miscarriage, stillbirth or a complication could occur. Trong Nhi\u2014Nhi Linh\u2019s mother\u2014bred with Spike in April 2024, and staff confirmed she, too, had conceived. Unfortunately, on Oct. 30, Trong Nhi displayed intense discomfort in line with pre-term labor or gastrointestinal colic. While this behavior can sometimes occur in normal late-stage pregnancies as the fetus shifts, this episode prompted additional hormone testing and ultrasound evaluations of the fetus and her reproductive tract. Trong Nhi\u2019s blood sample showed a significant and sustained drop in her progesterone and prolactin hormones\u2014an indicator her fetus may no longer be viable. Animal care staff continue to provide supportive care and comfort to Trong Nhi, who remains stable and is behaving and socializing normally with her herd, keepers and veterinarians. Nhi Linh\u2019s pregnancy is on track, and staff are cautiously optimistic she will welcome her first calf in the coming months.<\/p>\n \u201cBreeding Asian elephants in human care is worthwhile for many reasons, not the least of which is this species is critically endangered,\u201d said Robbie Clark, elephant manager and acting curator of Elephant Trails. \u201cOur team has been working tirelessly to set Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh up for success, and we were hopeful that both would have healthy calves. While that is not likely in the cards for Trong Nhi, we are excited to see how she steps into her new role as grandmother. As Nhi Linh\u2019s birth window approaches, her health and well-being are top of mind, and we are prepared to offer support every step of the way\u2014through labor, delivery and beyond.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Conservation Priorities<\/p>\n For more than 50 years, Smithsonian scientists at NZCBI have led research on elephant care and conservation in Washington, D.C., and Southeast Asia. The Zoo\u2019s elephants are a critical part of this work. These animal ambassadors participate in studies that help scientists better understand Asian elephant behavior, reproduction, endocrinology, disease (including elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses, or EEHV),\u00a0genetics\u00a0and movement ecology. They share information with accredited institutions to advance elephant care in zoos. In elephant range countries, Smithsonian scientists conduct research alongside key conservation organizations, universities, government\u00a0agencies\u00a0and local community partners. Together, they develop strategies and solutions to help humans and elephants live safely side-by-side, from rewilding former work elephants to safeguarding lives and crops on lands that have been converted from forests to farms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fundraising Campaign<\/p>\n