A large ‘charismatic’ animal is about to be born at DC’s National Zoo — an Asian elephant

The Smithsonian National Zoo in D C is preparing for the birth of a large charismatic and charming animal an Asian elephant calf Zoo executives broadcasted Monday morning that an Asian elephant is expected to give birth between mid-January and early March Elephant pregnancies typically last between and months It would be the first elephant birth at the National Zoo in nearly years and a first-time pregnancy for Nhi Linh -year-old elephant Brandie Smith the zoo s director declared the birth represents hope for the species future The first step to saving any species is getting people to care Smith stated in a news release As animal ambassadors elephant calves are as charming and charismatic as they come I can t wait for visitors to experience the happiness of watching our multigenerational herd socialize play and learn reminding us how much we share with these gentle intelligent animals The calf s father is -year-old Spike who was brought to the zoo in with hopes he would grow the herd Staff are cautiously optimistic that Nhi Linh will deliver a healthy calf Matchmakers pair feisty Nhi Linh with laid-back Spike Scientists track elephant lineage in a studbook and give breeding recommendations through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan The National Zoo disclosed factors that go into that recommendation include the individuals genetic relatedness to one another overall vitality and temperament Related stories Cool job alert What s it like working with tigers at the National Zoo Litter of cheetah cubs born at Smithsonian s Front Royal Zoo This flamingo at DC s National Zoo has become a regular at staff meetings The process maintains genetic diversity of the population of elephants in captivity the zoo revealed As far as personality traits go zoo staff described Nhi Linh as feisty and rambunctious She is very inquisitive and brave when trying or exploring new things the zoo revealed in the news release Keepers say she is smitten with Spike who exudes a laid-back gentlemanly attitude Their calf will join a herd of six elephants its parents grandmother Trong Nhi Bozie Swarna and Maharani Asian elephant Nhi Linh foreground is pregnant and expected to give birth in early at the Smithsonian s National Zoo in D C Male Spike is the calf s father background background It s a first-time pregnancy for -year-old female elephant Nhi Linh She s expected to give birth sometime between mid-January and early March Courtesy Smithsonian s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Courtesy Smithsonian s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Zookeepers stated Nhi Linh has willingly participated in ultrasounds Courtesy Smithsonian s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Courtesy Smithsonian s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Share This Gallery Share This share on facebook share on X share on threads share on linkedin share on email print Elephant pregnancies come with menace Nhi Linh was bred with Spike in April and a sparse months later staff validated her pregnancy using a blood test The female elephant willingly participates in ultrasounds to track the fetus improvement She also takes part in daily strength and flexibility exercises including one designed to help her nurse the calf after it is born Staff will be tracking her progesterone levels to indicate when she s ready to give birth As is the affair with pregnancies in other species elephants run the jeopardy of miscarriage stillbirth or another complication Spike has sired three calves at other zoos but none have survived Around the same time Nhi Linh was bred with Spike the stud also conceived with Nih Linh s mom Trong Nhi Late last month she exhibited signs of discomfort and after testing her hormones through a blood test zookeepers believe her fetus may no longer be viable Trong Nhi is in stable condition and is socializing as normal zoo staff disclosed Breeding Asian elephants in human care is worthwhile for plenty of reasons not the least of which is this species is critically endangered revealed Robbie Clark elephant manager in a news release Our group 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 procedures into her new role as grandmother A rare event at the National Zoo The zoo has welcomed only a meager baby elephants in its history The species is endangered with just Asian elephants worldwide Kumari the first Asian elephant to be born at the National Zoo in died unexpectedly after months according to Smithsonian archives Kandula another elephant born at the zoo in November became the first captive male of his species to be conceived through artificial insemination He was moved to the Oklahoma City Zoo in to breed The zoo plans to give updates throughout Nhi Linh s pregnancy It also hopes to raise million in populace and corporate donations to expand its elephant conservation venture and fund research This is a evolving story Stick with WTOP for the latest Source