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Animal News

The front torso of a Cuban crocodile sitting in shallow water
Dec. 22, 2022
A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.
Dec. 20, 2022
Recently, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji has been exploring his new habitat with his mother, Mei Xiang, by his side. Get the latest update from keeper Mariel Lally. 
Dec. 14, 2022
It’s been a jolly time for Amani and her two cubs over the last couple weeks! The family received some new enrichment and the cubs had their 9-week exam. Read on for the full Cheetah Cubdate from...
Two Asian female elephants.
Dec. 13, 2022
Two new female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi (trong-nEE) and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh (nEE-lin), are now on public view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology...
Dec. 13, 2022
Brienne’s cubs are one month old on Thursday, Dec. 15. Since their birth, keepers have primarily watched mom and cubs from the Andean Bear Cub Cam. Last week, animal keeper Sara Colandrea was able to...
Dec. 09, 2022
Snuggle in! It's time for an Andean Bear Cub Cam moment with our 3-week-old cubs.
Dec. 05, 2022
In a darkened, red-lit area of the Small Mammal House, two small, nocturnal primates explore their habitats. Naga and Pabu are the first pygmy slow lorises housed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo...
Dec. 02, 2022
Animal care staff are keeping a close watch on mom and babies and wanted to share some of their favorite moments with you! 
Nov. 28, 2022
‘Tis the season for tasty feasts — even for our cheetah cubs! Amani's 7-week-old cubs tried meat for the first time and had their first vet exam. Get the full scoop in this #CheetahCubdate.
Nov. 25, 2022
Last month, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hit a big milestone—he successfully participated in an awake blood draw! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson. 
Andean bear Brienne cradles her two cubs in a nest.
Nov. 23, 2022
After an eight-year hiatus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is celebrating the birth of two Andean bears. The cubs were born Nov. 15 to first-time parents, 3-year-...
People walk down Olmstead Walk at night with trees wrapped in various colored lights along the right and hedges wrapped in green lights on the left.
Nov. 16, 2022
Washington D.C.’s beloved free, family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, powered by Pepco, returns to brighten the season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute....
Nov. 09, 2022
Amani’s two male cubs are one month old, ready to play and are back making appearances on the Cheetah Cub Cam! Read on to find out just how mobile these cubs are and don't miss two adorable videos of...
Asian elephants Trong Nhi and Nhi Linn at Rotterdam Zoo.
Nov. 07, 2022
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh, to...
Nov. 04, 2022
National Bison Day is the first Saturday in November and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has a big reason to celebrate these iconic animals! Wallow in the autumn...
Oct. 28, 2022
Read curator of birds, Sara Hallager's testimony on Bill 24-710 before the Washington, D.C., City Council.
Oct. 28, 2022
Amani may have moved her cubs off cam, but keepers are pleased to report the family is doing great! Read on to find out what our cheetah family in Front Royal, Virginia, has been up to in this #...
Zoo entrance with icon banners.
Oct. 27, 2022
A response from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute regarding the hours of the bike path on its property. 
Oct. 24, 2022
Big bright eyes, bounding leaps and vivacious vocalizations—there’s no denying that lemurs are downright adorable! Every October, we celebrate World Lemur Day to raise awareness of these endangered...
Oct. 24, 2022
Swing into World Gibbon Day with an animal that knows a thing or two about swinging: siamangs! Learn more about siamangs from primate keeper Carly Hornberger.
Oct. 21, 2022
Meet Adi and Guntur, our two new siamangs at Gibbon Ridge! Over the past year, it has been really fun getting to know their personality quirks and watching their bond with each other grow. Let’s...
African lion Luke gazes up at the snow.
Oct. 21, 2022
Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old. 
Keeper Becky stands outside on a foggy day holding a cheetah cub. Becky is wearing a dark grey t-shirt, teal N95 mask and light blue latex gloves. She and cub are looking at the camera. The 10-day-old cub in her hands has his mouth open.
Oct. 14, 2022
Over the past week, cheetah fans and keepers have watched the two newborn cubs and their mother snuggle and bond on the Cheetah Cub Cam. Keepers are happy to report this new family is doing great and...
Fennec fox Daisy is laying down atop a pile of sand in her Small Mammal House habitat. Her head is raised, and she is looking at the viewer.
Oct. 13, 2022
We are sad to share that Daisy, our 13-year-old fennec fox, died Oct. 6.
A female Kirtland's warbler songbird perched on the branch of a jack pine tree
Oct. 12, 2022
A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire.