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Animal News

Mar. 05, 2020
Dr. Suzan Murray, head of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Global Health Program testifies on zoonotic disease transmission.
a bison looks directly at the camera
Mar. 03, 2020
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo humanely euthanized Zora, a 7-year-old bison, earlier today.
Zoo entrance with icon banners.
Mar. 02, 2020
Smithsonian's National Zoo Director Steve Monfort shares with neighbors the Zoo's plans for 2020 spring break security and upcoming events.
Feb. 28, 2020
Add a little sunshine to a gray winter day with a trip to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. There’s still plenty to see from December through March. This guide will help you plan for a cold-weather...
two cheetah cubs lay in hay. they're eyes are not open yet.
Feb. 24, 2020
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the Columbus Zoo have successfully transferred cheetah embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) to a surrogate cheetah...
Zoo entrance with icon banners.
Feb. 13, 2020
On Monday, Feb. 10, Smithsonian’s National Zoo officials attended a Woodley Park Community Association meeting organized by councilmember Mary Cheh from 7 to 8 p.m. at Stanford (2661 Connecticut Ave...
A Persian onager, a light brown equid, walking in the snow with a foal behind her.
Feb. 12, 2020
It has been a fairly mild winter at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. But we did have one bigger snow day Jan. 7. It snowed almost 6 inches at some of our barns...
Three plains zebras stand in tall grasses in Laikipia Kenya. The zebras stand in a line, and rolling hills with trees and buildings can be seen in the background.
Feb. 12, 2020
Across Laikipia County in central Kenya, endangered species like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and African wild dog, coexist alongside rapidly growing numbers of people and livestock. A...
White-cheeked gibbon Sydney in his habitat at Gibbon Ridge.
Feb. 11, 2020
Primate keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Sydney, a white-cheeked gibbon who was humanely euthanized Feb. 4. He was 20 years old.
Kids walking along path during summer camp
Feb. 04, 2020
Registration for 2020 spring and summer camps is open to all FONZ members now.
Jan. 31, 2020
Inti is bold, Masi is chill and Sani is shy (unless there is food around). No, they aren’t the latest reality TV divas, but the newest residents at the Zoo. An all-female herd of guinea pigs has...
Western lowland gorilla infant Moke in his outdoor habitat.
Jan. 31, 2020
Moke may just be a few months shy of turning 2-years-old, but our young western lowland gorilla has quite an independent personality! Last autumn, he mastered voluntary injection training. 
Sloth bear Remi explores her habitat on Asia Trail.
Jan. 29, 2020
Given the choice between mealworms and melons, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s sloth bears—6-year-old female Remi and 5-year-old male Niko—will almost always choose the former, even when their diet...
A Mariana crow, a bird with black feathers, perching on a branch.
Jan. 27, 2020
An elderly 25-year-old male Mariana crow named Clint was humanely euthanized at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) Jan.14. 
Harbor seal Luke at the American Trail exhibit.
Jan. 24, 2020
American Trail keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Luke, a male harbor seal who was humanely euthanized Jan. 23. At 35 years old, Luke was considered geriatric for his...
Jan. 21, 2020
In celebration of Squirrel Appreciation Day on Jan. 21, here are six facts to get you better acquainted with the Prevost’s squirrel.
Dave Wildt Portrait
Jan. 16, 2020
David E. Wildt, renowned scientist and conservationist died at his home on January 15, 2020.
Bennett's wallaby
Jan. 15, 2020
Although we are on the other side of the world, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to protecting species and their habitats, and supporting our fellow zoos...
Giant panda, Mei Xiang, climbing a tree.
Jan. 14, 2020
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been having some adventures around the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat!
Jan. 13, 2020
Walking through the forests of Guam the sound is arresting, because it’s silent. But the loud whistle of the Guam rail is returning to the forests of nearby islands, nearly 40 years after the bird...
Asian elephant Shanthi at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
Jan. 06, 2020
As the Smithsonian’s National Zoo rang in the new year, the elephant team celebrated another revolution around the sun for (now) 45-year-old female Asian elephant, Shanthi.
Jan. 03, 2020
An update from Andean bear keeper Sara Colandrea on the latest happenings with Billie Jean and Quito. 
Jan. 03, 2020
Swing into the new year with an animal that knows a thing or two about swinging: gibbons! Get to know Sydney, Ronnie and Bradley from primate keeper Carly Hornberger.
Jan. 03, 2020
What’s that rustle in the trees behind Reptile Discovery Center? Look up, or you may miss the Zoo’s stealthy male crocodile monitor hiding among the branches. Get the scoop on this cool cold-blooded...
Dec. 26, 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we’re continuing to reflect on some of this year’s biggest conservation success stories.