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Animal News

Sep. 30, 2022
Four new sets of owl eyes have joined the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute family this year in Washington, D.C. Give a hoot for Bird House keeper Heather Anderson and...
Two swift fox cubs sit in tall grasses of the American Prairie
Sep. 28, 2022
The Fort Belknap Indian Community commemorated three years of its swift fox recovery program with the release of three swift foxes on Tribal lands, bringing the total to 103 recovered back to these...
A female lion walks through green grass
Sep. 27, 2022
Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are grieving the loss of Nababiep, a female African lion affectionately called Naba, who was humanely euthanized Sept. 26....
Western lowland gorilla Moke rides on his mother Calaya's back.
Sep. 23, 2022
Every year on Sept. 24, we celebrate World Gorilla Day by teaching visitors about our ambassador apes and sharing ways to help their wild counterparts.  
Sea lion Calli sits on the rockwork of her habitat. There is a pool behind her.
Sep. 15, 2022
Staff are mourning the loss of Calli, a 17-year-old female California sea lion, who died Sept. 7.
The intro screen for the Bird Migration Explorer shows a map of North America with buttons and toggle states
Sep. 15, 2022
The Bird Migration Explorer, a state-of-the-art digital platform, allows users to see the most complete data collected on migratory species in their neighborhoods and where those birds go throughout...
Orange spider web projection on outdoors of Reptile Discovery Center.
Sep. 14, 2022
Not a trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, the beloved family-friendly Halloween event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, sponsored by Mars Wrigley...
Sep. 09, 2022
Who’s black, white and ready to paw-ty? As part of the Pandaversary celebration, Asia Trail keepers threw a bearthday fête fit for our beloved giant panda family.
Sep. 09, 2022
Summer is drawing to a close, which means our young Bornean orangutan, Redd, will celebrate his sixth birthday soon on Sept. 12. 
Mockingbird Mimi stands in front of a tray holding two pumpkins and several green leaves.
Sep. 09, 2022
Meet Mimi, a 1.5-year-old female mockingbird and animal ambassador in training! 
A female blue-billed curassow chick named Aluna hatched Aug. 5, 2022 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Aug. 29, 2022
For the first time, Bird House keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered blue-billed curassows. 
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji approaches an ice cake with a giant red 2 in front and bamboo coming out the back. The cake is sitting in the outdoor yard on a rock formation. Xiao Qi Ji's nose is inches away from the cake. There are decorated boxes behind him
Aug. 21, 2022
This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s second birthday.
A cheetah cub cam version of the meme "how it started vs. how it's going" showing tiny cubs on hay and another image of much larger cubs snuggled together in the same space
Aug. 18, 2022
After 10 months of 24/7 Cheetah Cub Cam, it's time to say goodbye to Rosalie and her five cubs.
Aug. 16, 2022
The Zoo’s giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will celebrate his second birthday Aug. 21 with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.
Aug. 11, 2022
How do you help a Komodo dragon with arthritis? Our animal care team turned to an innovative treatment to block the inflammation and ease Murphy’s discomfort
A tree sports a metal dendrometer band, which scientists use to measure tree growth.
Aug. 10, 2022
In recent decades, global forest tree growth has dramatically slowed the pace of atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation and climate change. 
Aug. 03, 2022
As animals age, they have more health care needs. Fortunately, our lions are eager to participate in training that helps us care for them!
A graphic depiction of a bare-throated bellbird, white body with blue neck sitting on a branch surrounded by a butterfly and colorful flowers
Aug. 03, 2022
When a team of scientists couldn't visit a forest to conduct research, they did it remotely, based on information made available in biodiversity databases.
Brew at the Zoo logo combines the images of an African lion and a hops in an orange/red obmre.
Aug. 02, 2022
On Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., raise your glass for conservation and enjoy unlimited tastings from more than 45 breweries and cideries. 
Aug. 02, 2022
As August comes into full swing, get to know the golden lion tamarins from Kenton Kerns, assistant curator of Small Mammal House!
A juvenile sea urchin against a black background. It has light, mottled coloration and small spines jutting out from its spherical center
Jul. 26, 2022
For the first time, a tropical sea urchin — a species intrinsically linked to the long-term health and survival of coral reefs — was grown successfully from cryopreserved embryos.
Hereford Rose stands outside the Kids' Farm barn on a snowy January day. Rose's face is turned toward the camera but to the side so her left eye is not showing.
Jul. 25, 2022
Kids’ Farm keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Rose—a 19-year-old female Hereford who was humanely euthanized July 25. 
California Sea Lion
Jul. 25, 2022
With temperatures soaring, the Zoo continues to take good care of its creatures — human and non-human alike! Find out what keepers do for animals in this heat.
Jul. 22, 2022
We want to let you know about an incident that occurred at a company that we use to send email communications to our community about our programs and events. The company, WordFly, was the victim of a...
Jul. 22, 2022
At 9 months old, Rosalie's cubs are teething!