The Nationwide Zoo in Washington has obtained two new feminine Asian elephants, mom Trong Nhi and daughter Nhi Linh, from the Rotterdam Zoo within the Netherlands.
The 2 elephants, who arrived Sunday night time, be part of 4 different feminine Asian elephants within the Elephant Trails exhibit. The hope is that one of many two new elephants will have the ability to breed with Spike, the only resident male.
“We’re happy with this worldwide cooperation with the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the North American breeding program that permits us to assist a wholesome backup inhabitants of this endangered species in America,” Rotterdam Zoo Director Erik Zevenbergen stated.
The mother-daughter pair have been transported from the Netherlands to neighboring Belgium, then flown 3,700 miles throughout the Atlantic to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport in New York earlier than being pushed one other 238 miles right down to the Nationwide Zoo.
Whereas the 2 elephants are being settled for the brief time period, the pair are projected to make their public debut someday within the first half of December.
“Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh will not be solely essential social additions to our herd, but in addition they’re key to our efforts to assist maintain the Asian elephant inhabitants in North America and world wide,” Brandie Smith, director of the Nationwide Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, stated within the zoo’s announcement.
Within the interim, the zoo will present updates on the brand new arrivals on its web site and social media.