A female clouded leopard at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., gave birth to a litter of two cubs Monday, March 28. Staff had been on a pregnancy watch of the 2-year-old Sita (SEE-ta) for one day. Sita gave birth to the first cub at 1:15 p.m. and the second cub at 1...
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park’s newly-named giant anteater pup Pablo holds on tight as mom Maripi makes her decision. Maripi chose from the names Demetrio, Fausto and Pablo—the top three vote-getters from the Zoo’s website voting poll. These three names were paired with a different food...
At a little more than 3 weeks old, both cubs are growing fast and doing great! The female cub weighs 24 ounces and her brother weighs 29 ounces. Both cubs, born March 28 at the Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, have had their eyes completely open for more...
Many people may have heard or recognize the, teacher teacher teacher teacher song of the ovenbird ( Seiurus aurocapilla) as they walk through forested areas in North America during the spring and summer months. The ovenbird's song signifies late spring and early summer as they arrive to northern...
A female clouded leopard at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, gave birth to a litter of two cubs Monday, March 28. Staff had been on a pregnancy watch of the two-year-old Sita for one day. Sita gave birth to the first cub at 1:15 p.m. and the second cub...
For more than three decades Dr. JoGayle Howard dedicated her life and work to reproducing endangered species. Since she arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in 1980 as a freshly graduated veterinarian (Texas A&M University), her intense focus on animal reproduction and her success...
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, animals—and their keepers—at the National Zoological Park’s Small Mammal House got into the holiday spirit. Keepers created animal-enrichment activities and objects full of treats for many of the small mammals. These enrichment activities provide...
On the heels of spring’s arrival, a wattled crane ( Bugeranus carunculatus) chick hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo March 20, the third of its kind in the park’s history. National Zoo veterinarians examined the chick and took a blood sample when it was 4 days old, which they will use to...
There is no doubt that Smithsonian curators are experts in their field. But how much do people know about the great work they do? Now, the public has a chance to test its knowledge about the National Zoo’s animal enrichment program. Participants can match wits with Heidi Hellmuth, curator of...
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park euthanized a female 44-year-old western lowland gorilla, Haloko, today because her declining health compromised her quality of life. Haloko was the Zoo’s oldest and only wild-born gorilla. Per standard procedure, a necropsy will be performed. On Dec. 1...
Beginning today, the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park is soliciting help to name its newest anteater—a male born this past winter. The public can vote for its favorite name via the Zoo’s website from a list provided by keepers and volunteers. The top three vote-getters will move to round two...
Perhaps no bird species in North American elicits a more emotional response from birders and researchers alike than the brown-headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater; hereafter: cowbirds). Cowbirds are fascinating to many for having maybe the most unusual breeding biology of any bird on the continent, yet...
The National Zoo’s giant panda mating season began early for the third consecutive year with female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempting to mate Jan. 29. Mei Xiang continues her January ovulation pattern that started in 2009; historically her estrus occurred in March...
The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a 1-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December and is now in his exhibit. Lek is set to breed with 6-year-old Electra, the Zoo’s only female fishing cat, who for now is in the enclosure next to him. The Zoo...
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be featured on the season two premiere of DC Cupcakes, airing Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m. on TLC. In honor of the Zoo’s episode, Georgetown Cupcake will sell a honey-banana-flavored cupcake named “Gone Bananas!” and donate the entire proceeds to benefit the Zoo’s...
Researching animals in the wild can be challenging, especially if it involves a rare or elusive species like the giant panda or the clouded leopard. To remedy this, scientists rely heavily on camera traps—automated cameras with motion sensors. Left to photograph what passes in front of them, the...
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park’s “Uncle Beazley” is in need of a facelift. The life-size fiberglass triceratops was moved to the Smithsonian’s Office of Exhibits Central in Landover, Md. this morning to have his holes and cracks patched. He will also receive a new coat of UV and weather...
The National Zoological Park’s youngest brown kiwi ( Apteryx mantelli), Areta (pronounced AH-reh-tah), died in the early morning of Feb. 14. She had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical illness. A full postmortem examination was conducted, and a final pathology report may provide more...
The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a one-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December 2010 and is now in his exhibit. Lek is set to breed with six-year-old Electra, the Zoo's only female fishing cat, who for now is in the enclosure next to him...
By Barbara Watkins, Reptile Discovery Center Keeper at the National Zoo After an arduous nine years working to acquire Japanese giant salamanders, the National Zoo welcomed a group to our collection at the Reptile Discovery Center in December 2009. As our team stood waiting for the cargo at Dulles...
An elderly female bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) named Sam was euthanized Friday, Dec. 31, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The bird was found lying in her exhibit Dec. 28 and was transported to the Zoo’s veterinary hospital for treatment. Although the eagle initially responded...
