Animal News
May. 23, 2017
Mei Xiang, the Zoo’s 18-year-old female giant panda, is showing behavioral and physical signs of estrus.
May. 18, 2017
Bei Bei is a bit of a daredevil. Although eating and sleeping are still his favorite pastimes, the giant panda cub also loves to climb trees. Lately, he has been climbing trees in his yard and...
May. 05, 2017
Learn a few fun facts about these beautiful birds, and see them in person during your next visit to the Zoo's Bird House outdoor exhibit!
May. 05, 2017
Go behind the scenes with animal keepers Emily Bricker, Melba Brown and Alexandra Reddy as they care for some of the most endangered primates in the world.
Apr. 28, 2017
In March, female Cuban crocodile Rose underwent a series of tests to determine if she is still capable of producing healthy eggs. It all began with an egg — a perfectly smooth, white, oval-shaped,...
Apr. 25, 2017
Last week, the public was invited to help name five of the 10 cheetah cubs born in late March at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. The cheetah cubs have...
Apr. 22, 2017
First come cubs, then comes species recovery. Find out how a thriving population in human care benefits wild cheetahs.
Apr. 22, 2017
WATCH: The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's care and study of Asian elephants has a positive impact on the species.
Apr. 20, 2017
The public is invited to help name five of the 10 cheetah cubs born in late March at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia.
Apr. 12, 2017
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists are saving frogs with science. Release trials in the wild begin spring 2017. On Earth Day weekend, the Smithsonian is convening the Earth...
Apr. 12, 2017
Extinct in the wild for more than 35 years, scimitar-horned oryx are back in their native habitat thanks to international collaboration and the power of science.
Apr. 10, 2017
On April 4, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s nearly 7-month-old male Bornean orangutan, Redd, took his first trip on the O-Line carried by his mother, Batang. The 50-foot-high suspended cable track...
Apr. 04, 2017
Overnight, keepers observed that Bei Bei was unsettled and may have experienced some nausea. Staff came into the panda house overnight to watch him more closely. Bei Bei was thoroughly checked by a...
Apr. 01, 2017
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have captured images of the first known images of a unicorn (Equus unicornu) in the wild.
Mar. 31, 2017
Infant orangutans in zoos around the world, including Redd, can help their wild counterparts by simply showing their teeth.
Mar. 31, 2017
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s keepers are making their mark and sharing their animal care and husbandry expertise around the globe. Last November, elephant keeper Kayleigh Sullivan spent 10 days...
Mar. 23, 2017
Tian Tian is ready for breeding season. He is in full rut, which means that he frequently scent marks and can be very restless. Those are normal behaviors for a male panda readying himself for...
Mar. 15, 2017
The Smithsonian's National Zoo has received good questions about the giant panda weaning process and recent behaviors exhibited by Bei Bei and Mei Xiang. The giant panda science and animal care team...
Mar. 09, 2017
Bao Bao is settling into her new home in China. Upon arriving at the Dujiangyan panda base, Bao Bao entered her new habitat without hesitation and immediately started exploring. True to character,...
Mar. 04, 2017
People who have been watching the panda cams have seen some big changes over the last few weeks. Bei Bei is weaning from Mei Xiang. We have heard from many worried panda fans as Mei Xiang and Bei Bei...
Mar. 03, 2017
Five-month-old Bornean orangutan Redd has sprouted four teeth! Get the latest scoop on the growing primate infant from animal keeper Elliott Rosenthal.
Mar. 03, 2017
We’re celebrating the newest member of the Small Mammal House, a baby prehensile tailed porcupine, by taking a closer look at one of the species' defining characteristics—quills!
Mar. 03, 2017
What does it mean when a Cayman Island blue iguana bobs his head? It could mean “stay away from my territory” or “let’s mate!” Check out the photo slideshow for some of keeper Kyle Miller’s favorite...
Feb. 24, 2017
The Small Mammal House recently welcomed a baby prehensile-tailed porcupine! Baby porcupines are known, adorably, as porcupettes.
Feb. 23, 2017
The Reptile Discovery Center’s research on Cuban crocodiles continues! Currently, the team is listening for and recording vocalizations.