The Center for Animal Care Sciences provides science-based husbandry, medical care, and population management for the health and well-being of all animals in the National Zoo’s collection as well as for animals at other zoos and in the wild. We lead and collaborate in conservation breeding programs, wildlife husbandry and exhibitry, and public education.
Center for Animal Care Sciences (CACS) veterinarians, curators, researchers and animal care staff lead and participate in initiatives focusing on population sustainability, wildlife health and emerging diseases, nutrition, animal behavior and cognition, and captive animal management and exhibitry through enhanced enrichment and training programs. CACS leads the field in innovative, science-based approaches to the assessment of animal health and well-being both in theory and in practice.
Research Programs
 |
National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory Researchers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo were the first to identify and are the world leaders in research on the elephant herpesvirus, which threatens elephant populations worldwide.  Learn more. |
 |
Zoo Animal Enrichment The Zoo keeps animals healthy and engaged by providing enrichment in the form of puzzles, novel foods and smells, and naturalistic habitats. Learn more. |
 |
Cognition Zoo scientists study how primates, pandas, and other animals learn, think, and communicate. Learn more. |
 |
Zoological Medicine Each of the Zoo's more than 2,000 animals that belong to more than 400 species, from leaf-cutter ants to lowland gorillas, require a team of vets to keep them healthy. Learn more. |
 |
Spotlight on Vet Medicine Follow Zoo vets as they decipher puzzles and work to preserve the health of the Zoo's animals. Learn more.
|
 |
Kori Bustard Research Zoo scientists study kori bustards both in the field in Kenya and at the Zoo. Learn more. |
