Asian elephants live in the forests and grasslands of Asia (see map below). They are one of three elephant species in the world. The other two live in Africa. All are endangered.

In the early 1900s, about 100,000 Asian elephants roamed the wild. Today that number is down to fewer than 50,000.

One big reason Asian elephants are in trouble is habitat loss. The gentle giants live in countries such as Indonesia and India. Over time, the human population of these places has increased. People there have cleared the land to build roads and homes. That means elephants have fewer places to live and find food.

Thankfully, groups around the world have long been trying to protect Asian elephants. At the National Zoo, scientists study the animals up close.

“What we learn from our elephants in D.C. directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants,” Smith says.

Asian elephants live in the forests of Asia (see map below). They are one of three elephant species in the world. The other two live in Africa. All are endangered.

In the early 1900s, about 100,000 Asian elephants roamed the wild. Today there are fewer than 50,000.

One big reason Asian elephants are in trouble is habitat loss. The gentle giants live in countries such as Indonesia and India. Over time, the number of people in these places has gone up. People have cleared the land to build roads and homes. So the elephants have fewer places to live and find food.

Thankfully, groups around the world have been trying to protect Asian elephants. At the National Zoo, scientists study them up close.

“What we learn from our elephants in D.C. directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants,” Smith says.

Workers at the National Zoo have been taking care of Linh Mai around the clock. They want to make sure she grows healthy and strong. Every two hours, they feed her a special formula from a giant baby bottle. Then she takes a nap.

Zookeepers are also helping Linh Mai’s mother learn to look after her new baby. They’ve introduced the calf to her grandmother and the zoo’s other elephants too. Some have gotten to know the calf by gently touching her with their trunks.

Tony Barthel is one of the calf’s caretakers. He says it’s important that the older elephants see Linh Mai as part of the group.

“Elephants are highly social and develop strong bonds with one another,” he explains. “Young elephants get their ‘herd smarts’ by observing and mimicking their mothers, aunties, and grandmothers.”

Workers at the National Zoo care for Linh Mai around the clock. They want to make sure she grows strong. Every two hours, they feed her a special formula. They use a giant baby bottle. Then she takes a nap.

Zookeepers are also helping Linh Mai’s mother learn to look after her new baby. They’ve introduced the calf to her grandmother. Most of the zoo’s other female elephants have met Linh Mai too. Some have been gently touching her with their trunks.

Tony Barthel helps care for the calf. He says it’s important that the older elephants see Linh Mai as part of the group.

“Elephants are highly social and develop strong bonds with one another,” he says. “Young elephants get their ‘herd smarts’ by observing and mimicking their mothers, aunties, and grandmothers.”

Zoo officials say visitors will be able to see Linh Mai in person soon. In the meantime, they are thrilled with their new addition. They hope she’ll encourage people to care more about Asian elephants.

“I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species,” Smith says.

Zoo officials say visitors can see Linh Mai in person soon. They are thrilled to have her. They hope she’ll push people to care more about Asian elephants. 

“I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species,” Smith says.