Animal News
Aug. 19, 2014
The past year at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has been a very special one. We've been able to watch Mei Xiang raise a cub from the first moments of her birth, when she was pink...
Aug. 11, 2014
Bao Bao can't stay out of the spotlight! The Smithsonian is having a showdown, giving YOU the chance to vote for the top Smithsonian icon!
Jul. 23, 2014
We celebrated Mei Xiang's birthday yesterday at the panda habitat. She turned 16 and received a special frozen treat for some extra enrichment. The next birthday we'll be celebrating is Bao Bao's!
Jul. 02, 2014
Starting July 2, gray seal pup Rona will be on exhibit! Read about her progress in the latest keeper update from Chelsea Grubb.
Jul. 01, 2014
On Father's Day weekend, Shera's four cubs made their big debut at the Great Cats exhibit! Now, visitors can see the whole pride every day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weather permitting.
Jun. 23, 2014
The National Zoo's three new female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23)—made their public debut in one of the outdoor yards on Elephant Trails for the first time Monday, June...
May. 22, 2014
We've received many questions from our many curious panda fans! In this panda update, keeper Nicole MacCorkle answers questions we have received.What is in the paper bags that you give the pandas?
May. 06, 2014
Four African lion cubs took a brisk paddle today and passed their swim reliability test. The cubs—three males and one female—were born at the Zoo March 2.
May. 05, 2014
Four month-old sloth bear cub, Remi, ventured outside for the very first time this morning with her surrogate bear moms and dad!
May. 01, 2014
Asian elephants Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23) arrived safely at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on May 23, 2014.
Apr. 30, 2014
The lion cubs are all doing quite well! Naba's girls weigh about 30 pounds now, and Shera's cubs range from 19 to 20.5 pounds. Shera's cub that had the limp is showing great improvement.
Apr. 25, 2014
Sumatran Tiger cubs Bandar and Sukacita turn nine months old on May 5—how time flies! One sign that they are making the transition from cubs to sub-adults is that both have started to lose their "...
Apr. 21, 2014
It's been a busy few weeks at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Bao Bao is now going outside with Mei Xiang regularly in the morning.
Apr. 17, 2014
A sloth bear cub and a seal pup by any other name would still be as sweet, but our keepers chose the perfect names for them. Our sloth bear cub is named Remi and our seal pup is named Rona!
Apr. 16, 2014
We have an animal care update from our Great Cats team. Last week, one of our African lion cubs—a male born to Shera and Luke—had not gained as much weight as expected and was exhibiting some...
Apr. 10, 2014
Last week, keepers started introductions between Shera and Naba's cubs! Keepers watch these interactions closely in the event that the cubs need to be separated. Fortunately, everyone has been...
Apr. 01, 2014
An adult male Baltimore oriole is the newest addition to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Bird House exhibit.
Apr. 01, 2014
It was an exciting day at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat! Bao Bao made her first excursion outside with Mei Xiang.
