News

Climbing trees, breaking branches and munching on mulberries — that’s a day in the life of our Andean bear brothers, Ian and Sean! Celebrate their first birthdays in this update from keeper Sara Colandrea.  

She's spunky, engaging and loves eating bugs. Get to know this 10-year-old female sloth bear, the newest resident of the Zoo’s Asia Trail.

Giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji touched down at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport after a 19-hour, 9,000 mile flight from Washington, D.C.

Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji began their journey to China on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Our newest litter of cheetah cubs are busy exploring... and they just got their first physical! Learn about caring for cubs in this update from carnivore biologist Adrienne Crosier.

A lifelong goal to save animals led Smithsonian fellow Molly Corder to find ways to protect critically endangered black rhinos from extinction threats.

The public has voted and now the 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s (NZCBI) Bird House have names! 

"The last three panda babies are synonymous with my motherhood journey and my love affair with the Smithsonian's National Zoo. I had my first baby in 2008; we started going to the Zoo regularly when Lucas was an infant..."

"My brother suddenly passed away in December 2005. A couple days after returning from his funeral, I remembered I had timed tickets to see Tai Shan. It was the furthest thing from my mind..."

Researchers at the Zoo found higher fiber and lower sugar diets had a range of health benefits for primates in human care.

Specialized technologies offer a new perspective into the lives of endangered black-footed ferrets and their prairie dog prey.

In a major conservation success, 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Bird House, and the Zoo is seeking the public’s help to name them. 

In summer 2023, Bird House keepers celebrated the arrival of orchard oriole chicks—the first hatched in human care—and Baltimore oriole chicks. Curator Sara Hallager shares an update about the team's success. 

Our 5-month-old baby gorilla is experiencing her first autumn! Catch up with baby Zahra and her mother Calaya in this blog update from primate keeper Erin Stromberg.

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week! At the Zoo, vet techs play a major role in keeping our animals healthy.  

Seasons creepings! This Halloween, get to know some animals who don’t deserve to have such fearsome reputations... and some that you might not want to encounter alone on a moonlit night.

Join us in wishing a very happy hatchday to our Komodo dragon, Murphy! Our calm, laid-back lizard turns 25 years old today. 

What's life like for a 3-week-old cheetah cub? Read the latest about Echo's litter of five adorable cubs in our latest animal update.

Washington, D.C.’s beloved family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, returns to brighten the holiday season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

"We saw this huge line and thought there was a concert. Instead, everyone was waiting to see a panda..."

"My father, Larry Collins, was the first head keeper in charge of Ling Ling and Hsing-Hsing..."

"When I was in my mid-twenties and living in Mount Pleasant, I loved taking long runs to and then through the National Zoo..."

In the event of a government shutdown on Oct. 1, Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo will remain OPEN through at least Oct. 7. 

Find out what's next for Hickory's six kits, who were featured on the Black-footed Ferret Cam this summer.

"The first time I saw pandas was back in 2004 when I was 11 years old and then I got to see them in 2022 at 29 at the Smithsonian..."