An adorable baby Asian elephant named Linh Mai was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington on February 2. Linh Mai's mother initially showed aggression towards the calf, leading to her shunning the newborn. Why Linh Mai's mother shunned her remains a mystery. In response, Linh Mai's 'auntie' Swarna stepped in to care for her. Swarna has never birthed a calf herself but is a natural at instinctually caring for one. Swarna displays a balance of maternal care and giving Linh Mai some independence.
Abandonment is very rare amongst Asian elephants. Elephant mothers and families can sometimes reject a calf, especially if the mother is under stress or when circumstances jeopardize the safety of the rest of the herd. Elephants are highly intelligent and very social with some human-like personality traits, and research has established that their emotional characteristics are similar to those of humans.
Initially, Linh Mai was more focused on her keepers as the ones who gave her bottles. With Swarna taking an auntie role, Linh Mai now follows Swarna's lead and hangs back with her, waiting for the 'ok' to move forward. Linh Mai is full of life and tons of fun despite being separated from her mother.
Caring for an elephant calf, including round-the-clock feedings, is one of the most exhausting experiences the zoo team has ever been through, but also incredibly rewarding. Since her birth two months ago, animal fans have flocked to social media to express concerns about Linh Mai's relationship with her mother. Linh Mai has become a viral internet sensation on social media.
Key unknowns persist in this situation. The exact reason why Linh Mai's mother initially showed aggression and shunned her has not been determined. It is unclear whether Linh Mai's mother, Nhi Linh, is still at the Smithsonian's National Zoo or has been relocated. Future plans, such as reintroducing Linh Mai to her mother or other elephants, have not been disclosed. Specific health or behavioral assessments conducted on Linh Mai and her mother after the incident remain unspecified. Additionally, the duration of Swarna's caregiving role and whether other elephants are involved in Linh Mai's upbringing are not yet known.