News Archive 2004
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun
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Dec
- Komodo Dragon Dies at the National Zoo
On the morning of Dec. 25, animal-care staff found that the Zoo's female Komodo dragon had died overnight in its exhibit. A necropsy showed an acute loss of blood into the abdomen, however, the official cause of death will not be known for several weeks. - Two New Orangutans on Exhibit at the National Zoo
Two Bornean orangutans are the newest residents at the Zoo's Great Ape House. They came to the Zoo as part of a breeding program. This is the first time the Zoo has housed breeding orangutans in 13 years. - National Zoo Euthanizes Cheetah
Zoo staff euthanized a 10-year-old male cheetah on December 8, after a rapid decline in the animal's condition due to chronic kidney failure.
- National Zoo's First Litter of Cheetahs Born
A litter of four cheetahs was born at the Zoo on November 23. This is the first litter of cheetah cubs ever born at the Zoo in its 115-year history. - National Zoo Euthanizes Tiger
Zoo veterinarians had been treating Kerinci, an elderly female Sumatran tiger, for chronic hind limb ataxia, a neuromuscular condition she developed following a spinal cord injury in February 1997.
- Rare Bird Hatches at the National Zoo
A Guam Micronesian kingfisher, a bird extinct in the wild, recently hatched at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center. There are only about 65 of these kingfishers in captivity. - Zoo Confirms Panda Pseudopregnancy
Zoo scientists confirmed giant panda Mei Xiang's pseudopregnancy today, after weeks of hormonal analysis, ultrasound examinations, and behavior monitoring. - National Zoo Extends Viewing Hours for Tiger Cubs
The three male cubs, born May 2, will now be outside every day from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Latino Researchers Study Ecological Research Techniques at the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center
Fifteen Latino researchers are at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center learning how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to protect and monitor the habitats of endangered or threatened species.
- 52-year-old Nile Hippopotamus Dies
A 52-year-old female Nile hippopotamus died at the National Zoo today (August 25), after rapidly declining health and a recent fall. - National Zoo’s Three Sumatran Tiger Cubs to Make Public Debut on August 12
The three male cubs, born May 2, each weighs about 30 pounds. They have been named, following a public contest. - National Zoo Evening Lecture Series Kicks Off September 9
Zoo scientist Russell Greenberg will offer an insider's view into biodiversity science at the Smithsonian, in a talk called "Discovering and Understanding Life’s Diversity."
- Zoo's Sumatran Tiger Cubs Healthy at 10 Weeks Old
During their second set of vaccinations and a physical exam, which included a weigh-in, the Zoo's three, 10-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs get a clean bill of health.
- Summer Concert Series Kicks off at the Zoo
The 20th consecutive season of Sunset Serenades, FONZ's annual summer concert series, kicks off at the Zoo with a performance by The Army Blues, the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. - Zoo Scientists Map Distribution and Abundance of Sloth Bears in India
National Zoo scientists are conducting the first-ever continent-wide study of the abundance and distribution of Indian sloth bears, a species that is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss. - National Zoo Hosts "Wings of America" Raptor Shows
A variety of fascinating raptor species will take flight at the Zoo when the American Eagle Foundation performs a series of live birds of prey shows at Lion/Tiger Hill beginning June 18. The Zoo and FONZ will also celebrate American Eagle Weekend on Saturday, June 19, and Sunday, June 20. - National Zoo's Newest Exhibit, Kids' Farm, Opens to the Public
Clucks, quacks and moos joined the more exotic sounds at the National Zoo when the new Kids' Farm exhibit officially opened to the public on Saturday, June 12. Cows, miniature donkeys, goats, chickens and ducks at Kids' Farm are the newest members of the Zoo's collection of 2,470 animals. - Smithsonian Names Search Committee for National Zoo Director
The Under Secretary for Science at the Smithsonian, David Evans, has announced the formation of a nine-member committee to assist in the nationwide search for a director of the National Zoo.
- Zoo
Euthanizes Elderly Macaque
On Monday, April 26, animal care and veterinary staff at the National Zoo euthanized an elderly Sulawesi macaque. The macaque had a condition known as spondylosis—an often painful condition of the backbones that affects the spinal cord—for which it had been receiving long-term medication. - Zoo's
Female Giant Panda Artificially Inseminated
After two days of attempts, giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian did not successfully mate this season. Late on the afternoon of May 2, Zoo researchers and animal-care staff vaginally inseminated female Mei Xiang, using a sample of Tian Tian’s semen that had been previously collected and frozen. - Tiger
Cubs Born at the National Zoo
On May 2, the Zoo's female Sumatran tiger, Soyono, gave birth to a litter of three cubs. This is Soyono's second litter. She gave birth to her first, a single male named Berani, in September 2001.
- Zoo
Breaks New Ground for Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat
and Asia Trail
The Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm broke new ground today, April 28, on the future site of the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat, the first step in a 10-year renovation of the Zoo. - National
Zoo Closes Great Ape House and Outdoor Gorilla Yard
The Great Ape House and outdoor gorilla yard were closed to the public late Saturday afternoon, April 24, and may remain closed for several weeks as a precautionary measure, due to an inconclusive tuberculosis (TB) test result in a four-year-old male Zoo gorilla. - The
Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm to Break Ground on New Giant
Panda Exhibit and Asia Trail
On Wednesday, April 28, the Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm will officially launch the Zoo's 10-year revitalization project when they breaks ground on Asia Trail, which will be anchored by the new Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat. - National
Zoo Bird House Reopens
The National Zoo’s Bird House reopened to the public Friday morning (April 9) at 10 a.m. - Fire
at National Zoo Bird House
A fire was discovered before 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in the Wetlands area of the National Zoo’s Bird House exhibit.
- FONZ
Board of Directors Releases Statement
The FONZ Board of Directors responds to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Decision to Accredit the National Zoo. - National Zoo Receives Accreditation from American Zoo and Aquarium Association
The Smithsonian's National Zoo today (March 17, 2004) was granted a full five-year accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). - National Zoo Letter to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Smithsonian's National Zoological Park Director Lucy Spelman today released the following letter to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, regarding a chimpanzee the group contends was born at the National Zoo. - National Zoo Tests Water for Lead
Following the recent news reports about elevated lead levels in water in some District of Columbia homes, Smithsonian's National Zoo took steps in early February to sample water in the park.
- USDA Inspects National Zoo Elephant House
The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted its second unannounced inspection of 2004 at the National Zoo on Feb. 9 and 10. - National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman Announces Resignation
On Feb. 25, Dr. Lucy H. Spelman announced her resignation as director of the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, effective at the end of the year. - National Zoo Lion Dies
One of the National Zoo's lions died after surgery on Monday evening (Feb. 23). - National Zoo Scientists Show that Dogs are Conservation Biologists' Best Friends
New research by the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park scientists, published in Animal Conservation, demonstrates that dogs can be trained to identify feces, or scat, of endangered foxes. - Clarification of 2003 sea lion euthanasia
On Nov. 14, 2003, National Zoo veterinarians and animal-care staff euthanized an elderly male sea lion due to persistent coughing, wheezing and labored breathing. The decision to euthanize was a joint decision made by veterinarians, curators and keepers. - Zoo Animals Get in the Mood for Valentine's Day
Soft music, a candlelight dinner, chocolates and flowers are all part of human courtship behavior sure to be on display this Valentine's Day. But humans aren't the only species trying to entice prospective mates on this romantic holiday. The creatures of the National Zoo are also succumbing to their own animal instincts.
- National Zoo Euthanizes Camel
Early Saturday morning, animal care and veterinary staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park euthanized an ailing, female Bactrian camel. - New Giraffe on Exhibit at the National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park yesterday welcomed a new Rothschild giraffe to the Elephant House. - Zoo Spectacled Bear Euthanized
Smithsonian's National Zoological Park animal care staff and veterinarians made the decision to euthanize an elderly 28-year-old, male spectacled bear.
