Apr
26

Today in Smithsonian History: April 26, 1995

kumari

Baby Kumari with her mother Shanthi.

April 26, 1995 The National Zoo’s 16-month-old baby Asian elephant, Kumari, the female calf of Shanthi, dies at about 2 p.m. in her outside enclosure at the Zoo. Kumari was the first elephant to be born at NZP and one of only about 100 ever born in the United States. Zoo veterinarians discover her death is due to a herpes virus. This discovery leads to treatments that later save the lives of other zoo elephant calves.

Shanthi and baby Kandula. Asian elephant Kandula’s 2001 birth was a Zoo milestone of elephantine proportions. Kandula was the first ever male Asian elephant conceived through artificial insemination in the United States. They can be seen on exhibit at Elephant Trails, along with the National Zoo's other Asian elephants. (Photo by Jessie Cohen)

Shanthi and baby Kandula. Asian elephant Kandula’s 2001 birth was a Zoo milestone of elephantine proportions. Kandula was the first ever male Asian elephant conceived through artificial insemination in the United States. Currently, the Zoo’s Elephant Trails exhibit is home to seven Asian elephants, Shanthi, Ambika, Bozie, Kamala, Swarna, Maharani, and Spike.  (Photo by Jessie Cohen)

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Posted: 26 April 2019
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5 Responses to Today in Smithsonian History: April 26, 1995
    • Brad Keller
      April 26, 2019 at 9:48 am

    • Thanks for the great post. Kumari was a big loss.

      However, I hate to point it out, but the caption on the photo of Kandula and Shanthi is incorrect. We now have 7 elephants at NZP: Shanthi, Ambia, Bozie, Kamala, Swarna, Maharani, and Spike. I imagine the photo was captioned before Spike arrived.

      • Alex di Giovanni
        April 26, 2019 at 10:42 am

      • Thanks, Brad! You’re absolutely right. How could we forget Spike? I’ve corrected the caption and the archived photo. For those interested in learning more about the elephants in our care, spend the day with an elephant keeper! https://torch.si.edu/2018/03/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-elephant-keeper/

        • Brad Keller
          April 26, 2019 at 11:08 am

        • Thanks. But, I see that you also preserved my typo in Ambika’s name. For some reason, I skipped over her “k”.

          While we’re being pedantic, do you mind fixing her name, so it correctly says Ambika?

          I don’t mean to nit pick. I love this blog and look at it every day. I just want it to continue to be a great resource for everyone.

    • Earth Matters
      April 26, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    • […] Earth Week comes to a close, take a stroll through the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden and enjoy some of the land-art installations that are part of the important exhibition Earth […]