News

The planet's last stronghold of wild cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) is losing genetic diversity at an alarming rate according to a new study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners published June 21 in the journal Biological Conservation. This is in direct contrast with...

Not even pioneering assisted-reproduction techniques can bolster the odds of successful reproduction in bleached coral reefs, according to a new study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the University of Hawaii. The findings, which were published June 17, in Reproduction...

The National Zoo's senior male sloth bear, 25-year-old Francois, was humanely euthanized yesterday. In human care, sloth bears typically have a median life expectancy of early-to-mid 20s. A final pathology report will provide more information in the coming weeks. Animal care staff had kept a close...

For the first time in 25 years, staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are making preparations for the highly anticipated birth of an endangered Bornean orangutan. With a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP), the 19-year-old parents to be...

Virtual visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will now be able to see its herd of six Asian elephants up-close. The Zoo's high-definition elephant cam was previously stationary and only showed the elephants when they walked in view of the cameras in the Elephant Community Center. The upgraded...

A Japanese giant salamander at the Smithsonian's National Zoo died June 6. Keepers had noticed May 25 that the 25-year-old female had been lethargic and was having difficulty maintaining buoyancy, which prompted keepers to notify the Zoo's veterinarians. Despite treatment with antifungal and...

For the first time, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's kiwi pair are parents! Biologist Warren Lynch and keeper Wesley Bailey reveal how a strict diet helped dad Ngati Hine Tahi get in shape and resulted in SCBI's first chick. <a data-cke-saved-href="//www.youtube.com/embed...

Zoo keeping is an ever-evolving science. That's why director Dennis Kelly and associate director of animal care sciences Brandie Smith traveled to India to collaborate, understand, and protect endangered species. This story appears in the June 2016 issue of National Zoo News. Want animal tales...

The Bird House's redhead ducks share their exhibit with some skittish neighbors—flamingos. To monitor the duck's health without disturbing the other birds, keepers have trained them to come inside for a physical (and some treats) on cue. Get the scoop from keeper Gwen Cooper in the latest Keeper Q &...

For the first time, an egg laid by a female brown kiwi at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute hatched on May 10, 2016.

On exhibit for the first time in the Washington, D.C. region, the Smithsonian's National Zoo presents Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea from May 27 through Sept. 5. Made completely of plastic debris collected from beaches, the colorful and dramatic sculptures of marine animals represent the more...

Eight-year-old North American male porcupine Quillby has had some difficulty moving around his exhibit lately. How do we determine what's ailing him? Teamwork! Zoo veterinarian Jessica Siegal-Willott and biologist Leigh Pitsko collaborated with colleagues at the Friendship Hospital for Animals to...

Spring migration banding at the Clive Runnell's Mad Island Marsh Preserve.

Examining a hormone-signaling pathway thought to underlie variation in social behavior and subsequent network structure in a cooperative lek-breeding bird, the wire-tailed manakin.

What: A free public event, "World Oceans Day," will feature ocean-themed animal demonstrations, games, crafts, and "Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea" exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. When: Saturday, June 11, 2016 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave. N...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's red panda habitat on Asia Trail reopened to the public Tuesday, May 10. Tusa (male) and Asa (female) explored their new home which has a brand new "retreat." The retreat includes four indoor enclosures complete with air-conditioning and heating. The retreat has a...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is mourning the loss of a 6-year-old female maned wolf named Uno, who died May 7. A final pathology report will provide more information, but her health had been in decline for several months due to liver and bowel disease. Despite treatment, Uno...

The maned wolf pups born Jan. 5 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are growing! Animal Care curator Paul Marinari and research biologist Nucharin Songsassen give us the scoop in the latest SCBI Q & A. This story appears in the May 2016 issue of National Zoo News. Want animal tales...

WHAT: Media preview of red pandas Tusa and Asa in their newly refurbished habitat on Asia Trail WHEN: Tuesday, May 10 at 10 a.m. WHERE: Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Park in the bus parking lot in the left lane perpendicular to the bushes. Entering the Zoo from the...

The Bird House's male Baltimore oriole seems to prefer the company of people to his fellow migratory birds. To help him socialize, keeper Jordana Todd is teaching him some husbandry behaviors that help animal care staff care for him, such as landing on her arm, showing his body parts, and entering a...

Eight-week-old Allen's swamp monkey Zawadi is on the move. Over the past few weeks, biologist Becky Malinsky has watched the baby—whose name means "gift" in Swahili—become more independent. Zawadi has splashed in the water, sampled mom's food, and she's even hitched a ride on one of the Schmidt's...

Small Mammal House keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are celebrating the birth of three critically endangered red-ruffed lemurs born April 5 to 6-year-old mother Molly. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan recommended that Molly breed with the Zoo's 7-year-old red...

Bei Bei's still growing like a weed! He was 37 pounds as of March 17 and growing daily. We have started very basic training with him.

Breeding season for our Cuban crocodiles ended in March, but staff continue to train the crocodiles to shift off exhibit. The hope is that when a keeper calls aloud for the crocs to shift, all of them will walk to the holding area in the back of their exhibit. Once they are in the holding, the doors...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo lifted its temporary quarantine on the Kids' Farm exhibit that has been in effect since Feb. 26 after E. coli stx 1 gene bacteria was discovered in a few of the animals. After seven weeks of quarantine, no animals showed any sign of disease associated with the E. coli...