X
× As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums are temporarily closed. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our website and social media.
  1. Home
  2. Animals
  3. Animal News
Share this page:

Animal News

A man wearing a vest and khaki pants stands on a rock overlooking a green valley
May. 05, 2020
This World Migratory Bird Day, May 9, I hope we see record engagement in birdwatching.
May. 04, 2020
Migratory birds are now flooding across the continent as they return to their nesting grounds this spring. World Migratory Bird Day is on May 9, 2020, as people around the globe welcome birds back—...
A Guam kingfisher hatched at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute April 21. It is being raised by its parents, Giha and Animu.
May. 01, 2020
Bird keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the arrival of two Guam kingfisher chicks that hatched April 21 and 23. They are the first offspring for 11-month-old...
May. 01, 2020
Things are hop-penning at Small Mammal House! On Jan. 24, a wallaby joey popped its head out of mom Victoria’s pouch. Get the scoop on the young joey from animal keeper Esther Wray.
May. 01, 2020
From the arrival of adorable chicks to award-winning excellence in animal care, much is brewing behind the scenes at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 
May. 01, 2020
Chirping cheetah cubs, a birthday party fit for a gorilla and a Madagascar hedgehog tenrec indulging in some self-care with a dust bath—all of these events (and more) made for an eventful month. 
Infant western lowland gorilla Moke rests in the arms of his mother, Calaya, as they sit on top of a wooden structure in their outdoor yard at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
May. 01, 2020
For the past two years, the primate team has had the privilege of sharing the story of our western lowland gorilla infant, Moke, with Smithsonian’s National Zoo fans all over the world. With Mother’s...
A close-up photo of the branch of a hemlock tree
Apr. 30, 2020
New research from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Shenandoah National Park finds that invasive species of forest insects and pathogens contributed to about a quarter of the tree...
Apr. 29, 2020
In this week’s #cubdate, we take you behind the scenes at a cub weighing! 
Apr. 24, 2020
Landscape ecologist Hila Shamon lives and works in Montana, where she studies the prairie and its wildlife. Over the last year and a half, she has been working with Fort Belknap Indian Reservation...
four cheetah cubs in hay
Apr. 20, 2020
It was a busy week for Echo’s cheetah cubs! Not only did Echo move them to a new den, but keepers were able to weigh the cubs and determine their sex.
Graphic text with a coffee cup and coffee beans: "your coffee is stronger than you think. save critical bird habitat, one cup at a time. #DrinkBirdFriendly"
Apr. 20, 2020
Join the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center online this World Migratory Bird Day, May 9, in a digital celebration of birds and simple actions you can take from home to help save them.
Apr. 20, 2020
There are only 135 Guam kingfishers in the world, but scientists around the world are working to change that by breeding the species for release in the near future.
Apr. 20, 2020
Each year, more than 1,400 volunteers donate over 90,000 hours of their time to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. We appreciate them every single day, but this week,...
Apr. 15, 2020
As the primate team celebrates Moke's second birthday, keeper Alex Reddy reflects on the western lowland gorilla's growing independence, bold personality and training triumphs. 
several cheetah cubs up close. one has its mouth open with a pink tongue
Apr. 14, 2020
Today was a big day for keepers and cheetah cubs alike. For the first time, keepers were able to approach the four cubs born April 8. Learn more in this Q&A with cheetah biologist Adrienne...
A female white-naped crane chick hatched April 2, 2020 to parents Brenda and Eddie.
Apr. 13, 2020
Bird keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating the arrival of a female white-naped crane chick that hatched April 2. She is the fourth...
Apr. 10, 2020
A brief #cubdate on cheetah Echo and her four newborn cubs. Watch them live on the Cheetah Cub Cam.
Scientists from Smithsonian's Global Health Program taking samples from a bumble bee bat in Myanmar.
Apr. 09, 2020
Researchers with the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program have discovered six new coronaviruses in bats in Myanmar — the first time these viruses have been detected anywhere in the world. Future...
A female cheetah cub lays on a bed of hay in a den where she has just given birth to three cubs. The three small, newborn cheetah cubs can be seen around her in the hay.
Apr. 08, 2020
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, are about to welcome a litter of chirping cheetah cubs. Five-year-old female Echo is having contractions...
Apr. 06, 2020
As an animal keeper at SCBI, some of my favorite birds to work with are small but sassy. Guam kingfishers certainly fall into this category. We have three pairs to introduce during this year's...
Apr. 03, 2020
A supersized salamander recently debuted at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Reptile Discovery Center. Get the scoop on these freshwater giants from keeper Kyle Miller.
Two clouded leopard cubs with large paws and thick spotted fur rest together on a large tree limb
Apr. 03, 2020
Asia Trail keepers Jenny Spotten and Kaleigh Shaw discuss the Zoo's clouded leopard cubs' latest training triumphs.
Two cheetahs at SCBI's cheetah ridge facility.
Apr. 03, 2020
Here at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, the carnivore team is gearing up for a very special arrival: cheetah cubs! As one of 10 facilities in the Cheetah...
Apr. 03, 2020
From flamingo courtships to weekly weigh-ins for the African lions, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is buzzing with beastly activity behind the scenes!