The National Zoo is involved with cognitive research on great
apes, giant pandas, sloth bears, other ursids, as well
as variety of other species.
The cognitive research conducted
at the National Zoo occupies a unique niche within the
Smithsonian Institution as well as within the broader museum
and zoological communities. 
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Major Projects
Orangutan Language Project
A ground-breaking exhibit tackling the complex field of
animal cognition, 
Think
Tank challenges us to ponder how primates and other
animals process the world around them. Curious and creative
creatures, orangutans at Think Tank are taking part in
a long-term language study. Visitors can observe scientists
testing the apes' ability to use and understand word symbols.
Sulawesi macaques housed at Think Tank demonstrate the complexity
of social intelligence.
How do giant pandas find their food?
That's one question
that Lorie Tarou, Research Assistant for Giant Panda Behavior
Studies, is interested in trying to answer. It may sound
simple, but because of the pandas' unique categorization
as an herbivorous carnivore, the usual assumptions about
foraging are impossible to make. Herbivores can often return
to certain spots to find food sources, and have adapted
with good spatial orientation and memory for foraging.
Find
out more about how the cognitive abilities of the giant
panda are being investigated. Foraging
Study
Sloth Bears
Coming Soon: The foraging study is being replicated
with
sloth bears
this spring.
