Animal Care

The Smithsonian National Zoo's Center for Animal Care Sciences provides science-based husbandry, medical care and population management for the health and well-being of all animals at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, as well as for animals at other zoos and in the wild. 

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, animal management, and exhibitry through enhanced enrichment and training programs.