Welcome to the website of the Smithonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Light Up the Holidays With ZooLights

Stroll through an enchanting winter wonderland and enjoy dazzling lights, hot cocoa, live music, train rides and more! Now until January 4.

NOW AVAILABLE

Give the Gift of Membership

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Support animal conservation and wildlife research by giving the animal-lover in your life all the benefits of Zoo membership.

Coming January

Meet the Pandas

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are here! Starting in January 2025, you can visit the new bear pair in their renovated habitat on Asia Trail.

LATEST STORIES

November 22, 2024

Meet a Tiny Forest Hero

Next time you’re walking through fallen leaves in a forest, keep an eye out for the Eastern red-backed salamander—a small woodland creature with a huge role to play.

November 06, 2024

Helping Giant Pandas Feel at Home

A few weeks after their arrival, staff are helping giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao settle into their new home at Asia Trail.

October 15, 2024

Giant Pandas Arrive From China

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Tuesday, Oct. 15

October 04, 2024

Winter Habitat Impacts Migration

A new study shows environmental conditions in migratory birds’ winter homes affect their ability to survive the rest of the year.

October 04, 2024

A Life-Preserving Cheetah Surgery

With the help of 3D modeling technology, a team of veterinary experts successfully carried out a rare spinal surgery on a female cheetah cub.

October 01, 2024

Arapaima, the Freshwater Giants

Reaching up to 10 feet (3 meters) long, arapaima are the largest freshwater fish in South America. Learn what else makes these animals unique.

September 30, 2024

Kiwi Feathers Repatriated

Kiwi feathers collected from across the U.S. and Europe will soon be heading home in a repatriation effort between the U.S. and New Zealand.

September 24, 2024

Happy World Gorilla Day

This summer has been eventful for our youngest western lowland gorilla, Zahra, who will be 16 months old on Sept. 27. Read primate keeper Francesca Bozzo's update!

MIGRATORY BIRDS

Live Bird Friendly® and Support Birds

When you purchase Bird Friendly® certified coffee or cocoa, you preserve critical habitat for birds and wildlife, fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and support farmers committed to farming sustainably.


We Save Species

Our scientists and researchers play a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.

Explore our conservation programs at the Zoo and our research headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia.


STORE

The Bears Are Back in Town

Discover our collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs and other limited edition gear while supporting conservation. Now available in color!


Live Streaming Webcams

See elephants, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.