First Punch the monkey, now Linh Mai! Baby elephant is shunned by her mother

By SHIVALI BEST, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR 10:38 16 Apr 2026, updated 10:43 16 Apr 2026

Earlier this year, Punch the monkey captured the hearts of millions across social media, after he was shunned by his mother. 

Now, an adorable baby Asian elephant has suffered the same fate – becoming a viral internet sensation in the process. 

Linh Mai was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington on 2 February. 

Unfortunately, her mother initially showed aggression towards the calf, forcing Linh Mai's 'auntie' Swarna to step in. 

Thankfully, Swarna is a 'natural', according to the museum. 

'Although Swarna has never birthed a calf herself, she is a natural when it comes to instinctually caring for one,' it explained. 

'Swarna displays just the right balance of "maternal care" along with giving Linh Mai some independence.'

The adorable calf has quickly become a favourite across social media, with one TikToker saying: 'We have another punch situation. my heart can't take this anymore.'

Why Linh Mai's mother shunned her remains a mystery. 

However, abandonment is 'very rare' amongst Asian elephants, according to Joshua Plotnik, a psychology professor at City University's Hunter College in New York who specialises in elephant behaviour.

Speaking to the Guardian, he explained that 'elephant mothers and families can sometimes reject a calf', especially if the mother is 'under stress, or when circumstances jeopardise the safety of the rest of the herd'. 

With Linh Mai now separated from her mother, Swarna is helping to raise her. 

'Initially, Linh Mai was more focused on us, her keepers, as the ones who gave her bottles,' the zoo explained. 

'With Swarna taking an auntie role, that has changed and we're starting to see her follow Swarna's lead. 

'Rather than running far ahead of Swarna as she did in the early days, Linh Mai now hangs back with her, waiting for the "ok" to move forward. 

'It's been really cool to see their relationship blossom and to watch them communicate with each other in this way.'

Despite being separated from her mother, Linh Mai is 'full of life', the zoo added.  

'Even though Linh Mai is not with her mother, Nhi Linh, she is full of life and tons of fun,' they said. 

'Caring for an elephant calf – including round–the–clock feedings – is one of the most exhausting experiences our team has ever been through. 

'Equally, it has been incredibly rewarding and worth all the blood, sweat and tears to see her thrive.'

Since her birth two months ago, animal fans have flocked to social media to express their concerns about Linh Mai's relationship with her mother. 

'Why would the mom reject her????' one fan commented on TikTok. 

Another added: 'mamas keep rejecting their babies almost like they feel forced to have them. i have such a mixed amount of emotions right now.'

And one joked: 'now i am crying over baby elephants.'