Press Release Archive

The ability of some conifer forests to recover after severe fire may become increasingly limited as the climate continues to warm, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists found in a new study published today in Global Change Biology. Although most of these cone-bearing evergreen...

Smithsonian scientists have discovered two new gecko species, the Lenya banded bent-toed gecko and Tenasserim Mountain bent-toed gecko, in the little-studied lowland forests of Myanmar.

Keepers at the National Zoo’s Small Mammal House are mourning the loss of Zikki, a golden-headed lion tamarin who was humanely euthanized April 8. At 17 years old, Zikki was considered geriatric for her species.

The start of spring brought a cheetah cub boom to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, where two large litters were born over the course of a single week.

After a ten-year hiatus, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute repatriated three female Guam rails to their native Guam. The birds, referred to as ko’ko’ locally, departed Virginia on Sunday, March 19 and arrived in Guam early March 21.

Tool use by sea otters to break open well-armored food is not necessarily a family matter, according to a new study published this week by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating Easter Monday: A Washington Family Tradition (April 17), Earth Optimism Summit (April 21 - 23), Earth Optimism Day (April 22) and International Migratory Bird Day (May 6).

The Smithsonian will convene the first Earth Optimism Summit, a three-day event featuring more than 150 scientists, thought leaders, philanthropists, conservationists and civic leaders, which will highlight what is working in conservation and how to scale up and replicate it.

On March 1, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the Nashville Zoo announced the birth of a male clouded leopard from an artificial insemination procedure using frozen/thawed semen. This accomplishment is a first for this species and a giant step for global...

Using new and minute technology, Smithsonian scientists have, for the first time ever, tracked one of North America’s rarest birds―the Kirtland’s warbler―throughout its full annual cycle, revealing new and critical information for the bird’s future.

Giant panda Bao Bao and Zoo staff landed at China’s Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport around 6:59 p.m.

Bao Bao began her journey to China this morning. She departed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo at 10:35 for Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia where she will board a FedEx 777F plane bound for Chengdu, China.

Giant panda Bao Bao will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Feb. 21.

The Zoo’s 31-year-old male harbor seal, Squeegee, died shortly after a diagnostic medical exam Feb. 1. American Trail keepers had been monitoring Squeegee closely for several weeks after he presented with blood in his urine.

A geriatric female tufted deer died at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) Feb. 2. The 24-year-old tufted deer named Morticia had been treated for cataracts and mobility issues during the past several years but recently had not responded to medications.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s female bobcat, Ollie—who escaped—received a medical exam this afternoon. She spent the night in the Zoo’s veterinary hospital under observation.

Ollie, the female bobcat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, was found on Zoo property this afternoon. Photos and video of her and the recovery team at the Zoo's veterinary hospital are now available on Flickr and YouTube for media use.

The Zoo will be holding a press conference in the Bus Lot at 5 p.m. For more about the species, please read the Bobcat page of the Zoo’s website.

A press conference for search updates and general information related to female bobcat Ollie that escaped from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Monday, January 30, 2017, and has yet to be caught.

The female bobcat, Ollie, who escaped from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo yesterday has not returned to her enclosure. The Zoo received several calls from the public overnight with consistent information indicating she may be in the Zoo’s adjacent Woodley/Cleveland Park neighborhoods. Early this...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo reports that a female bobcat, Ollie, has escaped her enclosure. There is no imminent danger to Zoo guests or general public. Bobcats are not known to be aggressive to humans. If spotted, call 202-633-7362.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s American Trail team is celebrating the arrival of a female gray seal pup, born Jan. 21 at 12:43 a.m. to mother Kara.

A geriatric black-footed ferret named Capone was humanely euthanized Jan. 19 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI). He was seven years old.

Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for “Bye Bye, Bao Bao,” a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bao Bao (BOW-BOW) before she departs for China.

Bei Bei is continuing to recover well from his major surgery, and he started eating small amounts of bamboo again a few weeks ago. He now gets several meals of leaf eater biscuits, sweet potatoes and apples, and several bamboo feedings every day. He eagerly consumes all his food—much as he has since...