Smithsonian National Zoo Celebrates Birth of Endangered Asian Elephant

The Smithsonian National Zoo is celebrating the birth of an endangered Asian elephant calf.

The baby elephant was born on Monday, marking the zoo’s first Asian elephant birth in about 30 years. Zoo officials say the mother’s pregnancy lasted nearly 22 months, which is typical for elephants. This is her first calf.

Staff members say both mother and baby are doing well. The newborn will spend her first month bonding closely with her mother as keepers monitor her health and development.

Zoo officials say the birth is an important milestone for conservation, as Asian elephants are considered endangered in the wild.