Latest News

Andean Bear Cubs Make Debut at the National Zoo in Time for Mother’s Day

May 7, 2013

The Andean Bear exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be double the fun when twin cubs make their debut Saturday, May 11. The male and female cubs, named Curt and Nicole, were born at the Zoo Dec. 14, 2012, and are significant births for the population of Andean bears in human care. They are the second litter of cubs born at the Zoo since 2010, and one of only three litters born in North American zoos in the past six years.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo To Welcome New Asian Elephant

May 3, 2013

The National Zoo will soon welcome Bozie, a 37-year-old female Asian elephant, into the Zoo’s existing herd. She will be on loan from the Baton Rouge Zoo. Bozie’s last companion at the Baton Rouge Zoo died in March. Elephants are social species and to meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards, both zoos are working diligently to transfer Bozie to the National Zoo, where she can prosper with other Asian elephants.

Media Advisory: National Zoo’s Andean Bear Cubs to Make Media Debut

May 3, 2013

Photo Release: National Zoo Asks Facebook Fans to Name Sloth Bear Cub

May 1, 2013

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is inviting its Facebook fans to name one of Asia Trails’ most adventurous and charismatic critters: a sloth bear cub. Starting Wednesday, May 1, the Zoo is hosting a poll on its Facebook page; fans can vote for their favorite among three names that keepers selected to best reflect the cub’s traits, personality and characteristics.

Photo Release: Sand Cat Debuts at Smithsonian's National Zoo

April 26, 2013

A 7-year-old sand cat named Thor is the newest addition to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Small Mammal House exhibit. Thor will serve as an ambassador to his wild cousins and teach Zoo visitors and researchers about the behaviors of this secretive species.

Study Finds Baby Marmosets More Likely to Become Obese if Transition to Solid Food Faster

April 10, 2013

Baby marmoset monkeys that began eating solid food earlier than their peers were significantly more likely to be obese at one year of age, scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have found.

Photo Release: National Zoo Mourns Loss of Elderly Gibbon

April 9, 2013

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is mourning the loss of its elderly white-cheeked gibbon, a female named Mae, who died April 8. She was 43 years old and lived well past the median life expectancy of zoo gibbons, which is about 28 years old.

UPDATE: National Zoo Giant Panda Breeding

April 1, 2013

Reproductive scientists and veterinarians from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo alongside Tang Chunxiang, the assistant director and chief veterinarian of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at Wolong performed a second artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang Saturday, March 30, around 6 p.m.

National Zoo Performs Artificial Insemination on Giant Panda Mei Xiang

March 30, 2013

Spring has sprung and the giant pandas are breeding again at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Scientists detected a rise in urinary estrogens March 26, in its female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG). This rise and her behaviors indicated that Mei Xiang was in estrus and ready to breed. A team of Zoo scientists and veterinarians, including Tang Chunxiang, the assistant director and chief veterinarian of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at Wolong, performed an artificial insemination (AI) earlier this morning after keepers determined no competent breeding between Mei Xiang and the Zoo’s male giant panda Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) had occurred overnight.