(NewsNation) — An Asian elephant is pregnant at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., for the first time in 25 years.
The NZCBI says staff at the zoo are preparing for the birth of an Asian elephant calf after Spike, a 44-year-old male elephant, bred with Nhi Linh, 12, last year.
“This calf represents real hope for the future of Asian elephants,” said the NZCBI in a press release.
“The first step to saving any species is getting people to care. As animal ambassadors, elephant calves are as charming and charismatic as they come.”
Asian elephant pregnancies typically last 18 to 22 months.
The zoo added staff are closely monitoring Nhi Linh and expect the healthy calf to be born between mid-January and early March next year.