Animal News
Dec. 15, 2013
Hank is not only a daring adventurer, he's also a budding musician! This section of fire hose makes a great sound—like a tuba—and is one of his favorite toys.
Dec. 13, 2013
We are happy to announce Granger cheetah is doing well following his surgery last week and will be joining Draco and Zabini back at Cheetah Conservation Station.
Dec. 10, 2013
When you work closely with someone day in and day out—regardless of whether they're a human coworker or an animal you care for—you get to know their quirks and behavior.
Dec. 06, 2013
It's been a big week for Bao Bao! She got her name on Sunday, thanks to the more than 120,000 votes cast. She now weighs a whopping 12.76 pounds!
Dec. 01, 2013
After 100 days and 123,039 votes, the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo received her name today. The cub's name is: Bao Bao!
Nov. 22, 2013
Today was another weigh-in day! The cub now weighs 10.8 pounds (4.9 kilos). And keepers have noticed that she is responding to the noises she hears.
Nov. 19, 2013
The panda cub is taking small steps! Over the weekend and yesterday cam watchers may have noticed that she has been able to get her hind legs underneath her and stand up.
Nov. 15, 2013
The panda cub was weighed and measured again this morning! She now weighs 9.68 pounds (4.4 kilos). She is still very round measuring 18.11 inches (46 centimeters) around her belly.
Nov. 08, 2013
Our panda cub is growing bigger and bigger! She now weighs a hefty 8.14 pounds, and her tail is starting to shrink relative to the size of her body. And keepers report that they are starting to see...
Nov. 01, 2013
The cubs continue to grow and thrive. At this age everything can be a toy, including pine cones. This is the boy practicing his hunting skills with one while his sister watches.
Oct. 30, 2013
This week's giant panda update was written by giant panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle.
Oct. 23, 2013
The giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo has gained almost another pound since Friday, Oct.
Oct. 17, 2013
The gates at the Smithsonian's National Zoo will open to the public Friday, October 18! The live animal cams were turned off during the government shutdown, including the panda cams.
Oct. 17, 2013
The shutdown has not affected the cubs at all—they didn't miss a beat! Each day they are getting bigger and bigger. They had a wellness exam on October 15, when they received routine shots and...
Oct. 01, 2013
The Great Ape House staff sent 19-year-old female western lowland gorilla Kigali to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas on October 16. She was born here at the National Zoo to Mandara and Gus...
Sep. 30, 2013
On Saturday, Mei came out of her den in the morning looking for food as soon as keepers arrived. That's the first time she's done that since the cub was born, which tells keepers that her appetite is...
Sep. 29, 2013
Draco, our cheetah who was losing weight, has gained a little weight and seems to be doing better this week!
Sep. 26, 2013
The panda team was able to perform another full veterinary exam on the cub today. Mei Xiang is routinely coming out of her den in the mornings to eat bamboo and drink.
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
Our energetic sloth bear cub Hank is nine months old today!