Current News
- Smithsonian Institution and World Bank Group Join Forces to Save Wild Tigers from Extinction
The Smithsonian Institution and the World Bank Group announced on June 19 a new program under the Global Tiger Initiative to help stabilize and restore wild tiger populations and save this endangered species from extinction in its natural habitats. - National Zoo Artificially Inseminates Asian Elephant
Veterinarians and animal care staff conducted a series of artificial insemination procedures in early June on Shanthi, one of the Asian elephants at the National Zoo. - Rare Crane Hatching Marks a Victory for Both Science and Conservation
A rare white-naped crane has hatched at the National Zoo Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Va. The female chick is the most genetically important hatchling in the North American White-Naped Crane Species Survival Program. - Eleven Stingrays and Two Arowanas Die Overnight in Amazonia Exhibit
Eleven stingrays and two arowanas (fish) were found dead in their pool at the National Zoo’s Amazonia exhibit May 25, shortly after 7 a.m. - National Zoo’s Giant Panda Is Not Pregnant
Staff at the National Zoo confirmed that female giant panda Mei Xiang is not pregnant but was experiencing a pseudo, or false, pregnancy during the past several months. - Eight Institutions Join Together to Save Amphibians with the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project
Eight institutions announced on May 11 their joint venture to save amphibians from the brink of extinction in the eastern region of Panama—an area rich with diverse amphibian species. - National Zoo Giant Panda Pregnancy Update
Scientists at the National Zoo detected the start of the decline in urinary progestin levels in the Zoo’s female giant panda, Mei Xiang. This hormone decline indicates that the panda's reproductive cycle will be concluding fairly soon. - National Zoo Baby Gorilla Is Named
The National Zoo is pleased to announce the name of its 2 1/2-month-old female baby western lowland gorilla—Kibibi (kee-BEE-bee)—which means “little lady” in Swahili. - Clouded Leopard Cubs Born at National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center
An endangered clouded leopard at the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Va., gave birth to a genetically valuable litter of two cubs on March 24. - Raise a Glass to Wildlife Conservation at the National Zoo's "Grapes With the Apes" Event
Toast wildlife conservation at the s National Zoo’s annual wine-tasting event on April 16. - Washington’s African American Community Gathers at the National Zoo to Celebrate a Century-Old Tradition on Easter Monday
The National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo will host the free event “Easter Monday: Celebrating the African American Family” on April 13. - Giant Anteater Born at the National Zoo
The National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born March 12 in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo. - New Spectacled Bear at the National Zoo
Billie Jean, a three-year-old female spectacled bear, made her debut at the National Zoo on Feb. 19. - Photo Release: National Zoo Introduces Red Panda to New Mate
The National Zoo introduced its newest member, a male red panda, Tate, to Shama, the Zoo's female red panda on Feb. 6, 2009. - Photo Release: National Zoo Gorilla Is a Girl
The National Zoo is pleased to announce that its three-week-old baby gorilla is a female. The baby was born on January 10 to 26-year-old mom Mandara and 16-year-old dad Baraka.
- National Zoo Has a New Baby Gorilla
On Jan. 10, a western lowland gorilla was born at the National Zoo to 26-year-old female Mandara. The newborn represents the seventh successful gorilla birth for the Zoo since 1991.
Photos and video are available. - National Zoo and Fujifilm Invite Photographers to Take Their Best Shot!
If you have ever tried to capture a picture-perfect image of the Zoo’s giant pandas or wondered how the Zoo’s photographers snap beguiling photos of animals as diverse as elephants and naked mole-rats, now is your chance to learn the tricks of the trade in a photo-challenge discussion hosted by the Zoo and Fujifilm.
- News Archive: 2009 l 2008 l 2007 l 2006 l 2005 l 2004 l 2003 l 2002
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Upcoming Events
- Sunset Serenades, a free outdoor concert series
Thursdays, July 9, 16, and 23, 6-8 p.m. - Brew at the Zoo, a beer-tasting fundraiser
Thursday, August 20, 6-9 p.m.
Media Contact Information
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