National Zoo reveals elephant is expecting a calf, first baby elephant to be born there in 25 years

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, in Washington, D.C. has announced one of its elephants is pregnant, the first time a baby elephant will be born at the zoo in 25 years

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, in Washington, D.C. has announced one of its elephants is pregnant, the first time a baby elephant will be born at the zoo in 25 years.

The zoo says 12-year-old Nhi Linh will welcome her first baby sometime this winter, although it’s unclear if she will deliver a boy or a girl.

“There are no words, really, to describe how excited we are to welcome a new addition here at the zoo,” Robbie Clark, assistant curator, Asian elephants and elephant manager, told "TODAY" in a story that aired on Monday.

It marks a landmark moment for Asian elephants, an endangered species with an estimated number of fewer than 50,000 living in the wild. Dr. Donald Neiffer, who heads a team of veterinarians tasked with taking of the elephant herd’s care at the zoo, says the upcoming birth is a big feat.

“This is huge, and certainly for our facility, we haven’t had a baby on the ground for quite some time,” he told "TODAY."