A baby elephant at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has become the internet’s latest obsession after a sweet video showed her having the time of her life with a ball.
The calf, named Linh Mai, was spotted happily pushing the ball around her habitat during playtime while an adult elephant kept a close eye on her.
A visitor captured the adorable moment and encouraged others to “see the baby elephant at the Smithsonian Zoo,” adding in the caption, “She’s the cutest baby in the world.”
Judging by the reaction online, plenty of people agree.
“She is so sweet and cute,” one viewer commented.
“She’s precious,” another wrote.
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One person was so charmed by the playful calf that they simply declared, “I have to go.”
Linh Mai had already won over animal lovers before the ball-playing video surfaced.
The young elephant was born in February and later became the center of a touching story involving an older elephant named Swarna.
According to the zoo, Swarna stepped into a nurturing role and helped care for Linh Mai.
Although Swarna has never given birth herself, zoo staff said she seemed to have natural maternal instincts.
“Although Swarna has never birthed a calf herself, she is a natural when it comes to instinctively caring for one,” the zoo said.
Staff added that Swarna gives Linh Mai the right mix of attention and independence as the baby learns how to navigate the world around her.
And baby elephants have a lot of growing and learning to do.
Elephant pregnancies typically last around 22 months, and calves can weigh as much as 200 pounds when they are born.
During their first years, babies rely heavily on adult elephants for milk, protection and guidance.
They also grow incredibly quickly.
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, an elephant calf can gain around 2 to 3 pounds every day during its first year.
Much of a baby elephant’s early life is also spent mastering basic skills that adults make look easy.
Calves have to learn how to coordinate all four legs, control their ears and, perhaps most importantly, figure out what to do with that long trunk.
That makes moments like Linh Mai’s ball game even more fun to watch.
For now, she seems perfectly happy practicing her moves, playing with her toys and charming just about everyone who gets a glimpse of her.