The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has announced that one of its Asian elephants, Nhi Linh, is pregnant , marking the first elephant birth at the zoo in 25 years. The 12-year-old elephant is expected to deliver her calf between mid-January and early March 2026. Nhi Linh's pregnancy is particularly significant as Asian elephants are an endangered species, with fewer than 50,000 left in the wild.

Nhi Linh was bred with Spike, a 44-year-old male elephant, in April 2024. Spike has previously sired three calves at other zoos, though none survived. This will be Nhi Linh's first calf. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the pregnancy is progressing well, and they are cautiously optimistic about the outcome.

Robbie Clark , the assistant curator and elephant manager,

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