Animal News
Nov. 30, 2016
What has the Zoo’s 10-week-old Bornean orangutan, Redd, been up to? His social circle is expanding, says keeper Erin Stromberg, and his personality and curiosity are starting to develop! Get the...
Nov. 25, 2016
Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s giant panda cub Bei Bei is stable and recovering following an emergency bowel obstruction surgery to remove a dense, masticated lemon-sized mass of bamboo.
Nov. 23, 2016
Happy Orangutan Caring Week! We’re celebrating the Zoo’s seven orangutans by sharing their stories.
Nov. 21, 2016
Bei Bei is becoming more and more independent from his mother Mei Xiang every day. It is hard to believe, but the time is rapidly approaching when he will live separately from her.
Nov. 04, 2016
The Smithsonian National Zoo's new agouti needs a name and we need your help!
Oct. 24, 2016
A 23-year-old male Andean bear named Cisco died at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Oct. 24 during an emergency veterinary exam. In the past week, Cisco became less active and began breathing more...
Oct. 20, 2016
Giant panda Bao Bao will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China in late winter, within the first few months of 2017.
Oct. 20, 2016
Read on for some of the most frequently asked questions about Bao Bao's departure.
Oct. 14, 2016
Our veterinary team visited the giant panda habitat last week for routine checkups on all of the pandas. Of special note in Bei Bei's check-up, the team successfully collected blood and gave him two...
Oct. 07, 2016
Since 1968 the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's scientists, animal keepers and researchers have been working to save kiwi from extinction.
Sep. 27, 2016
A conservationist’s work is never done. At least, it doesn’t stop when a species is returned to its native habitat.
Sep. 27, 2016
For the first time in more than 15 years, zebras are grazing the fields at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Va.
Sep. 27, 2016
The newest member of our primate family has arrived! Meet Redd, a Bornean orangutan born to mother Batang and father Kyle on Sept. 12.
Sep. 23, 2016
One of the defining and iconic characteristics that makes giant pandas unique among bears is their diet -- bamboo.
Sep. 15, 2016
Batang and her infant are doing well! Keepers report that she is very attentive to his needs, holds him gently and consistently nurses him—all encouraging signs.
Sep. 07, 2016
Over Labor Day weekend, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released excellent news about its Red List of Threatened Species.
Aug. 31, 2016
Keepers at the Reptile Discovery Center, including animal keeper Lauren Augustine, are upholding that proud tradition with ground-breaking research on social behavior, reproduction and play in a...
Aug. 20, 2016
The Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bei Bei's first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony. During a traditional Zhuazhou ceremony,...
Jul. 18, 2016
Born in Sri Lanka around 1975, Asian elephant Shanthi developed arthritis in her front-left leg more than a decade ago.
Jun. 07, 2016
For the first time, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's kiwi pair are parents! Biologist Warren Lynch and keeper Wesley Bailey reveal how a strict diet helped dad Ngati Hine Tahi get in...
Jun. 01, 2016
The Bird House's redhead ducks share their exhibit with some skittish neighbors—flamingos. To monitor the duck's health without disturbing the other birds, keepers have trained them to come inside...
May. 27, 2016
Eight-year-old North American male porcupine Quillby has had some difficulty moving around his exhibit lately. How do we determine what's ailing him? Teamwork! Zoo veterinarian Jessica Siegal-Willott...
May. 06, 2016
The maned wolf pups born Jan. 5 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are growing! Animal Care curator Paul Marinari and research biologist Nucharin Songsassen give us the scoop in the...
May. 03, 2016
The Bird House's male Baltimore oriole seems to prefer the company of people to his fellow migratory birds.
May. 02, 2016
Eight-week-old Allen's swamp monkey Zawadi is on the move. Over the past few weeks, biologist Becky Malinsky has watched the baby—whose name means "gift" in Swahili—become more independent.
