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.
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
Amazing Animal Stories of 2024
This year was filled with incredible and heartwarming stories about the animals and the people who care for them. Enjoy a look back at some of the amazing things that happened this year.
The Secrets Behind Panda Feeding
Take a look behind the scenes as animal care teams provide an endless bamboo buffet to the Zoo's new giant pandas.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.