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Animal News

Apr. 19, 2021
National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19-23, 2021), carves out a much-deserved moment of time to recognize volunteer service. 
Apr. 16, 2021
In a playful battle over bamboo, Mei Xiang is always victorious. Get the latest news on our giant panda mother and her cub, Xiao Qi Ji, in keeper Nicole MacCorkle’s #PandaStory update. 
Western lowland gorilla Moke sits on the hillside of his outdoor habitat.
Apr. 15, 2021
Today, our boisterous, intelligent and loving western lowland gorilla Moke turns 3 years old! Primate keeper Emily Bricker shares her favorite memories to celebrate Moke's big day. 
Apr. 08, 2021
Celebrate Amabala, Erindi, Jabari and Hasani's first birthdays! Join animal keepers Amber Dedrick, Adri Kopp, and Becky Merritt and Cheetah biologist Adrienne Croiser as they look back on our cheetah...
Apr. 07, 2021
Our lemurs celebrated their birthdays April 6 with a gorgeous cherry blossom-themed cake! Get the story behind the celebration from primate keeper Emily Bricker. 
Apr. 02, 2021
From salamanders to siamangs, prairie dogs to pandas, and everything in between, all Zoo animals receive veterinary care. Often, that means an animal needs to take medicine. Find out how keepers and...
Apr. 02, 2021
Recently, giant panda mother Mei Xiang accompanied her cub, Xiao Qi Ji, for a climb! Watch the video and see more of our curious cub’s playful adventures. 
Apr. 02, 2021
Leap into learning what it takes to care for some of the frogs found in Zoo Guardians and at Smithsonian’s National Zoo from Matt Evans, assistant curator of the Reptile Discovery Center.
An Aldabra tortoise suns himself on the grass outside.
Apr. 02, 2021
Aldabra tortoises may be slow and steady, but they are also full of surprises! Did you know that they can live to be more than 150 years old, or that their shells are sensitive to the touch? Get to...
Apr. 02, 2021
Two new neighbors have arrived at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Meet Przewalski’s horse mother-son duo, Barbie and Cooper! 
Apr. 02, 2021
Say hello to Ariel! This sweet and social clouded leopard just joined the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s breeding program. She has the smarts to solve puzzle feeders and seems smitten...
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji lays on his hammock and looks out into his exhibit.
Mar. 19, 2021
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is exploring new sites and climbing to new heights! Get the scoop on his latest adventures in keeper Nicole MacCorkle’s #PandaStory update.
Smithsonian researcher covered in insects attracted to artificial light at night.
Mar. 17, 2021
Artificial light at night is a major factor in global insect decline. Smithsonian scientists and partners found that using amber-colored filters to remove the blue spectra of light from “warm white”...
Mar. 15, 2021
Now that Echo's four cubs are 11 months old, keepers have started to train them to eat from their own bowls. Find out how the cheetah cubs are doing in this update.
Cheetah Justin (nicknamed "Gat") lays in the grass at the Cheetah Conservation Station.
Mar. 08, 2021
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Justin (nicknamed “Gat”), a male cheetah who died unexpectedly following a brief illness. Gat was 8...
Mar. 05, 2021
Get the extended ‘tail’ of what goes into caring Zoo Guardians' March animal of the month and the Zoo's three bobcats, straight from a Animal Keeper and real-life Zoo Guardian, Kaleigh Shaw!
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji paws at a piece of banana on top of a green enrichment toy.
Mar. 05, 2021
Sunny days are here again! Warmer weather spells adventure for Xiao Qi Ji, and our 6-month-old giant panda cub had a blast exploring the great outdoors this week. 
Mar. 05, 2021
From the moment his hearty squeal heralded his arrival, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji became one of the most beloved bears on the planet. Celebrate with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo as we look back at...
Mar. 05, 2021
Western lowland gorilla Baraka is serious about food. When primate keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo noticed he wasn't eating his meals, they wondered if his change in appetite masked...
Ruby-throated hummingbird Spot approaches the sugar-water feeder in his indoor habitat.
Mar. 05, 2021
See Spot. He's a little ruby-throated hummingbird with a big personality. Spot is also super smart and has mastered scale training. Learn how Bird House keepers came to weigh him and get tips on...
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji licks a dollop of homemade applesauce off of a large green enrichment toy.
Feb. 26, 2021
On Sunday, Feb. 21, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji turned 6 months old. To celebrate, our half-birthday boy tried yet another new food: homemade applesauce made from cooked apples. 
Feb. 25, 2021
At almost 11 months old, our cheetah cubs' personalities are shining! See Jabari, Hasani, Erindi and Amabala in the snow, and get an update on their training.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks tentatively onto the concrete outside the panda house that leads to the grassy yard behind him
Feb. 19, 2021
Just a few days shy of turning 6 months old, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji accompanied his mother, Mei Xiang, into their outdoor habitat for the first time. 
Feb. 18, 2021
In December 2020, Smithsonian's Conservation and Biology Institute's cheetah breeding program celebrated a decade of success. Take a look at the top five most spot-acular accomplishments over the...
Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji leans against rockwork in his habitat with one paw up on a cylindrical-shaped enrichment toy and nibbles on his first biscuit.
Feb. 12, 2021
Enrichment toy smeared with sweet potato just might be Xiao Qi Ji’s favorite treat. This week, keepers gave our giant panda cub a new food to nibble on: biscuits!