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Animal News

Nov. 08, 2019
Giant panda Bei Bei knows how to work his angles! Check out some of our favorite snaps of this remarkably photogenic bear from the past four years.
Prehensile-tailed porcupette
Nov. 08, 2019
There is a prickle of excitement at Small Mammal House where keepers discovered that Beatrix, a 2-year-old prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette.
Nov. 08, 2019
As we prepare to bid giant panda Bei Bei a fond farewell, we’re taking a look back at some favorite milestones and memorable moments from his time at the Zoo.
Nov. 08, 2019
Follow a day in the life of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda keepers as they care for Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Bei Bei. 
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Nov. 07, 2019
Media Advisory: Giant panda Bei Bei departs for China Nov. 19.
Passports
Nov. 07, 2019
FONZ members can now have even more fun during their visits to the Smithsonian's National Zoo with the brand-new FONZ Member Passport program, presented by Chase.
Nov. 01, 2019
How do you get an orangutan to sit still for an electrocardiogram? All it takes is a little patience and a lot of ingenuity! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s positive reinforcement training program...
Bye Bye Bei Bei
Nov. 01, 2019
Members: join FONZ for the Bye Bye, Bei Bei member event!
Bobwhite Quail
Nov. 01, 2019
Forty years ago, the distinctive call of the bobwhite quail could be heard throughout Virginia’s grasslands. Now, their call is fading — silenced by changing farm practices and land development that...
Nov. 01, 2019
The Zoo's historic Bird House may be under renovation, but that has not stopped the animal care team from bringing native shorebirds, songbirds and waterfowl under their wing to establish best...
Nov. 01, 2019
Fall is upon us, which means that it’s a great time to visit the Great Cats exhibit to see our African lions in action! When the temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the cats are at...
An emperor tamarin, a small monkey with a long white mustache, sitting on a branch.
Oct. 29, 2019
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to two new regally mustachioed monkeys. 
Lesser kudu female Rogue with her newborn male calf behind the scenes at the Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station.
Oct. 24, 2019
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the arrival of a male lesser kudu calf, who was born Oct. 14 to 5-year-old mother Rogue and 9-year-old father...
Oct. 22, 2019
Long-billed curlew are shorebirds that spend their summers breeding in the grasslands of Montana. Smithsonian ecologists are equipping them with GPS trackers to learn more about their movements.
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Oct. 18, 2019
Giant panda Bei Bei will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Tuesday, Nov. 19. 
Oct. 18, 2019
Can sloth swim? What do they eat? And why are they so slow? Impress your friends and ace your next online quiz with these fun facts about sloths to celebrate International Sloth Day on Oct. 20.
Oct. 18, 2019
Get the answers to frequently asked questions about giant panda Bei Bei's departure from the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
American black bear and cub in Washington State.
Oct. 17, 2019
In September 2019, the Smithsonian scientists launched Snapshot USA, a nationwide camera trap survey effort in the hopes of capturing the first-ever “snapshot” of wildlife across the U.S.
Oct. 09, 2019
There’s no better activity for a fall day in D.C. than a trip to the Zoo. Crowds are smaller, days are cooler and changing leaves bring a burst of color to the park.
A keeper holds two 11-pound Aldabra tortoises.
Oct. 09, 2019
The newest residents at Reptile Discovery Center are in no rush to grow up. The two 5-year-old Aldabra tortoises debuted in late September.
A Persian onager colt standing next to his mom.
Oct. 04, 2019
The end of the summer has been very busy at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, which welcomed two new members to its Persian onager herd.
Oct. 04, 2019
In August 2019, Reptile Discovery Center keeper Matt Neff embarked on a trip that took him across the Pacific Ocean to learn about enrichment, husbandry and breeding for the second-largest salamander...
Oct. 04, 2019
Catch up with the Zoo's Andean bears, Billie jean and Quito, with animal keeper Sara Colandrea.
Oct. 04, 2019
What makes (or breaks) a coral’s ability to survive rising sea temperatures? It’s a puzzling predicament, and scientists are hoping coral nurseries can help crack the code.
Oct. 04, 2019
In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, eastern coyotes join the ranks of top predators, along with black bears and foxes. Still, these clever canines face threats in their native habitat. Using GPS collars...