The birth of four cubs to African lion Shera on August 31 was a triumph for the Zoo. Scientists and keepers worked together to build the Zoo's three lions into a pride, to supervise social interactions and breeding, and to test for and track Shera's pregnancy. Read more

The National Zoo grows all its own hay on the 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal. In order to increase native biodiversity, SCBI scientists are switching some fields from cold-season grasses to more native warm-season grasses. Read more

As part of SCBI’s mission to educate and train the next generation of conservationists around the globe, two of the National Zoo’s science centers have teamed up on a multi-year program to build capacity for conservation in southern Africa. In August, SCBI scientists hosted a workshop with Cheetah Conservation Botswana to assess conservation needs in the region and identify next steps.

Learn about their efforts and read more

The Smithsonian-Mason Semester for Conservation Studies is part of a unique partnership between George Mason University and the Smithsonian Institution. Students are immersed in an active research community where they live among, learn from, and work side-by-side with Smithsonian and Mason scientists and scholars. Read more

SCBI's new quantitative ecologist Justin Calabrese connects ecological data to theoretical models, yielding new insights into how natural systems work. Read more

October 2-3

Autumn Conservation Festival

The one time each year SCBI Front Royal is open to the public! Talk with our world-famous scientists one-on-one and learn about their fascinating research that spans the globe.

September 24-November 3

Free Lectures

Experts discuss wildlife trafficking, global climate change, the Gulf oil spill, and other pressing conservation issues.

January 10-19, 2011

Conservation Conflict Resolution Course

This intensive experiential training is a must for anyone addressing conservation conflicts between people and wildlife—or between people about wildlife.

White-naped Crane Chicks

This spring, two of these vulnerable cranes hatched at Front Royal, thanks to hard-working scientists and artificial insemination. Learn about the chicks and watch them as they grow. Read more