The Smithsonian National Zoo Shares a First Glimpse of Their New Baby Elephant, Linh Mai
The TODAY Show was offered a special first glimpse of the Smithsonian National Zoo's newest baby elephant, and lucky for us, we get to see her, too! The baby elephant, named Linh Mai, which means "spirit blossom" in Vietnamese, was the first to be born at the zoo in nearly 25 years! Her mom, Nhi Linh, gave birth to her after nearly two years of pregnancy on February 2nd.
Watch as the adorable little one (who weighs 400 pounds!) enjoys a bubble bath in two kiddie pools that the zoo filled with water and bubbles. We're not sure if elephants can smile, but based on the look on her face, she's having a blast and enjoying every minute of it!
@todayshow The Smithsonian's National Zoo is sharing an exclusive first look with TODAY at their baby Asian elephant named Linh Mai ahead of her public debut on April 22 - and it's video of her enjoying a bubble bath! TODAY's Jenna Bush Hager shares the Morning Boost.
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Talk about total cuteness overload! The TODAY Show shared in the caption that Linh Mai will be making her public debut on April 22nd. We wished we lived closer so we could go visit!
Related: Baby Elephant Gets ‘Stranger Danger' When Her Auntie Comes for a Visit
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More About Linh Mai, The Smithsonian Zoo's Newest Asian Elephant
The Washingtonian reported that Linh Mai currently requires 24-hour care for her emotional and physical development. Robbie Clark, elephant manager and acting curator of the zoo's Elephant Trails, explained that the team is working "very, very, very hard, long hours to make sure she has everything she needs to thrive," adding, "It's one of the most exhausting things that I've ever had to do."
The reason for this is that her mother initially rejected her after birth, with Clark noting it's "a not-so-rare occurrence with elephants". The baby elephant drinks a special elephant-milk replacement out of large bottle-like containers that have to be held by one of her caretakers. The hungry little one demands a bottle every two hours, which she can gulp down in two to three minutes!
Clark describes the baby as incredibly smart and curious, and when she's not exploring or splashing in the pools she very clearly enjoys, you can find her socializing with the zoo's 52-year-old female elephant, Swarna. The older elephant has become one of Linh Mai's "trusted auntie-like companions."
"She is rambunctious. She is sassy. She's playful. She very much loves her bath time. It's been truly rewarding to get to know her," Clark says.
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM.