Smithsonian National Zoo: Asian Elephants

 As with all modern zoos, to house Elephants has got to be a #1 priority.  Elephant habitats at accredited zoos probably have more requirements than any other mammal.  Where Elephants were once a mainstay of any zoo, today they are increasingly rare, and generally when you do encounter them, they live in august, multi-range spaces with state of the art healthcare and enrichment possibilities.  They also live in communities, ideally with multi-generational members.  

The National Zoo has been home to Asian Elephants since it first opened in 1889.  Over the years members have joined the herd as national gifts.  In 1961 India presented an Elephant to President Kennedy, and in 1976, Jimmy Carter received an Elephant from Sri Lanka. 

In the early 2000's the zoo began the process of overhauling its Elephant Hall into a state of the art LEED facility with all the necessary components to care for newborns.  The main building re-opened to the public in 2006, and the upgraded and completed exterior yards were finished by 2013.  At the time the zoo was home to 5 elderly females and the younger daughter of one.  Three of the old girls had spent time together at the same elephant orphanage on Sri Lanka before spending their younger years on various other adventures.  In 2018, Spike was transferred in from the Tulsa Zoo.  He had previously mated with the younger female while they had been at the Calgary Zoo.  Great hopes for another love match was in the wind, and while they enjoyed one another's company, no pregnancy resulted.

In 2022, a mother-daughter pair were transferred from the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands.  In 2024, the younger female, Nhi Linh, became pregnant, and earlier this year gave birth to her first calf, Linh Mai.  At 12, Nhi Linh demonstrated a lack of mothering instincts and the decision was made to place the primary initial care of Lihn Mai in the hands of the keepers.  As she has grown more independent, one of the older females, Swarna, age 51, has stepped in and demonstrated "auntie" care giving instincts.  As I observed during this visit, Swarna clearly enjoys Linh Mai's proximity, but even as the Matriarch, she doesn't dote over her little charge the way a mother might.  I feel like Linh Mai is set to become a very independent elephant.

With the loss of some of the older girls, the present herd consists of 7 elephants.  On the day of my visit, Spike (45) and Nhi Linh (13) (were chilling in the side yard with the large swimming pool.  Maharani (36), Swarna (51) and Linh Mai (6 mo.) were in the barn, and then Swarna and Linh Mai transitioned to the side yard.   Finally, Bozie (51) and Trong Nhi (23) were in the Main Valley, the largest exterior habitat.  

NHI LINH and SPIKE

Nhi Linh and Spike in the Swimming Pool Yard.

MAHARANI, SWARNA & LINH MAI

Interior Elephant Barn.

Maharani, Linh Mai and Swarna

Parting pic of Maharani.  She's the largest by height and weight of the herd.

Linh Mai and Swarna in the side yard.

BOZIE & TRONG LINH 

Bozie

Bozie moves over to the pool in the Valley Yard.

Bozie and Trong Linh (background)

Trong Linh