Animal News
Sep. 23, 2013
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) awarded National Zoo's Acting Curator of Birds Sara Hallager with three service awards at its recent national conference in Kansas City, MO.
Sep. 20, 2013
Our panda cub is 4 weeks old today — and what a difference a few weeks makes! Keepers say that it looks like she has eye markings shaped like Mei Xiang's and her back saddle is shaped like Tian Tian'...
Sep. 19, 2013
With the help of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the Socorro dove has returned home to Mexico!
Sep. 19, 2013
Our energetic sloth bear cub Hank is nine months old today!
Sep. 17, 2013
As we mentioned last week Draco, one of our cheetahs, hasn't been eating and has been losing weight. As he isn't improving, the animal care team gave him a complete examination yesterday.
Sep. 13, 2013
Damai brings the cubs up to see Kavi most mornings now. Traveling around the building is a great way to develop their strength and coordination. We are even starting to see the cubs playing together.
Sep. 12, 2013
Regular Zoo visitors are probably familiar with the sight of our three cheetah brothers: Zabini, Granger, and Draco. One of the brothers, Draco, has never had a robust appetite.
Sep. 11, 2013
Mei Xiang and her cub are still doing well! Keepers and veterinarians expect that Mei will begin leaving her den for longer periods of time soon.
Sep. 09, 2013
Mei Xiang and the cub continue to do well. Over the weekend, Mei left her den for a few minutes several times, once to get a drink of water.
Sep. 07, 2013
The tiger cubs continue to thrive and are steadily gaining weight. Their coordination is improving as well, and they are exploring all five of the rooms that are available to them.
Sep. 05, 2013
The tiger cubs are one month old today. And Damai has moved them back into a den on the tiger cam!
Sep. 04, 2013
This morning, Mei Xiang was very alert when the panda keepers walked into her den and looked eager for her morning drink. She drank 64 ounces of water right away.
Sep. 03, 2013
Last night at 6:15 p.m., Mei Xiang left her den. She climbed up the rockwork mountain in her adjoining exhibit, urinated, and returned to the den at 6:18.
Aug. 31, 2013
This morning, the panda team offered Mei Xiang apple water, a bamboo smoothie, some bamboo, sugar cane and a pear. She was not interested in eating or drinking anything.
Aug. 30, 2013
Keepers went into Mei Xiang's den again this morning to offer her some food and drink. She drank some water sweetened with a little apple juice, which she has done for the past several days.
Aug. 29, 2013
In the early morning hours, Mei Xiang gently placed her cub on the floor of her den. Vigilant panda cam observers were watching at 3:37 a.m., and we're delighted to share the video!
Aug. 28, 2013
This morning keepers entered Mei Xiang's den to offer her food and water. They came with some of her favorite treats—diluted apple juice, a sweet potato and a pear.
Aug. 27, 2013
This morning, the panda team attempted to get the cub for a second veterinary exam.
Aug. 26, 2013
Our tiger cubs are 3 weeks old, and this morning they got their first veterinary exam—and passed with roaring colors. Veterinarians determined that the 2 cubs are a male and a female.
Aug. 25, 2013
This morning, the panda team was able to give the cub its first neonatal exam. The cub is robust, fully formed, and is a bright, healthy shade of pink. It weighs 137 grams, which is about 4.8 ounces.
