Animal News
The Smithsonian's National Zoo boasts a bird baby boom, a new food vendor, and a new exhibit
Two giant pandas, male Hsing-Hsing and female Ling-Ling, landed at Andrews Air Force Base at 5 a.m. on April 16, 1972. These two giant pandas were gifts to the United States of America from the People's Republic of China following President Nixon’s historic visit to China. The giant pandas were officially presented to the Zoo on April 20, 1972.
Spring is in full swing at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and the Small Mammal House—which celebrated the birth of a black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) March 22—is no exception. Since then, keepers have been monitoring the family at a distance, allowing first-time parents Chula (mother) and Pele (father) to bond with their baby.
Two Smithsonian’s National Zoo employees won American Zoo Association (AZA) Plume Awards last week for their achievements in breeding birds. A team of scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) was recognized for work with white-naped cranes, and Kathy Brader, the Zoo’s senior bird keeper was recognized for her efforts with kiwi.
The same device used to detect the early warning signs of heart disease in humans will now benefit two male sub-adult gorillas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Twelve-year-old Kwame and 10-year-old Kojo are the first western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) to participate in a study lead by the Great Ape Heart Project that will help veterinarians better detect and treat heart disease—the leading cause of death of male gorillas in human care.
