Press Release Archive

An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Displaying 51 - 75 of 952 articles.

A lantern in the shape of a chameleon extending its tongue.
October 07, 2024

ZooLights Returns Nov. 22 to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Washington, D.C.’s beloved family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, returns to brighten the holiday season.

Photo of a male Kirtland's warbler perched in a pine tree. The warbler is a small yellow bird with gray markings on its face and back.
October 04, 2024

Drier Winter Habitat Impacts Songbirds’ Ability to Survive Migration ›

A new study shows environmental conditions in migratory birds’ winter homes affect their ability to survive the rest of the year.

Photo of two women and a man standing together smiling. The people are all wearing formal clothing and the man holds a toy kiwi bird in his hands.
September 30, 2024

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Repatriates Kiwi Feathers to New Zealand ›

Kiwi feathers collected from across the U.S. and Europe will soon be heading home in a repatriation effort between the U.S. and New Zealand.

Photo of a female Guam sihek perched on a branch in an enclosure.
September 23, 2024

Guam Sihek Released to the Wild ›

Conservation partnership advances the establishment of the first wild population in more than 30 years

The entrance gate at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
September 19, 2024

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Receives Accreditation From Association of Zoos and Aquariums ›

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Two-year-old male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China, May 16.
September 17, 2024

David Rubenstein Donates $10 Million to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Giant Panda Program ›

David M. Rubenstein has pledged $10 million toward the Zoo’s $25 million campaign to fund the giant panda conservation program.

Photo of a red backed salamander against a white backdrop.
August 28, 2024

Study Finds Salamanders Are Surprisingly Abundant in Northeastern Forests ›

A recently published study sheds light on the ecological importance of red-backed salamanders in the northeastern United States. The article, published in the journal Biology Letters, revealed the amphibians’ densities and biomass across the region were much higher than expected, with a great...

Photo of a family of two adults and a young child riding a carousel together. All three people are wearing Halloween costumes.
August 20, 2024

Boo at the Zoo and Night of the Living Zoo Return This October ›

It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, and the Zoo’s 21+ spooktacular cocktail party, Night of the Living Zoo, are back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.

A picture of partially-shadowed Earth, as seen from the cold, gray surface of the Moon.
July 31, 2024

Smithsonian Scientists Devise Method to Secure Earth’s Biodiversity on the Moon ›

Smithsonian scientists are exploring a radical effort to preserve and safeguard biological samples from important and at-risk species inside the cold craters of the Moon.

A woman and three men stand on a stage to accept an award. In the background, text on a screen reads, "2024 International Champion: Germany"
July 26, 2024

Smithsonian Scientist Wins Prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize for Work on European Freshwater Biodiversity ›

Smithsonian ecologist Ellen Welti was awarded the Frontiers Planet Prize for her work on the halted recovery of European freshwater biodiversity.

Photo of a large, diverse group of people standing outdoors.
July 22, 2024

New Initiative Explores Innovative Financing Solutions for Co-Management of Ecosystems and Public Health in Africa ›

A groundbreaking new initiative will address the question of how improvements in the environment and health are financed in 21st-century African landscapes.

Photo of an adult sea lion standing on land.
July 05, 2024

Sea Lion Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Staff are mourning the loss of the 19-year-old female California sea lion, who was euthanized June 27.

caterpillar
June 13, 2024

Rising Carbon Dioxide May Be Diluting Plant Nutrients, Threatening Herbivores ›

A new study warns that increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere may decrease the nutrient contents of plants and could cause further population declines farther up the ecological chain.

Two-year-old male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China, May 16.
May 29, 2024

Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year ›

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, by the end of the year.

Photo of black-footed ferret with her newborn kits.
May 17, 2024

Black-Footed Ferrets Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of endangered black-footed ferrets this week.

Photo of Smithsonian scientist Fernanda Abra smiling and holding an award. Beside her stands British royal Princess Anne, who presented her with the award.
May 09, 2024

Smithsonian Project to Save Amazonian Primates from Road Impacts Wins U.K. Whitley Award ›

Smithsonian postdoctoral fellow Fernanda Abra was recognized for her pioneering work to build and monitor low-cost canopy bridges over Highway BR-174 in the Amazon rainforest, protecting tree-dwelling mammals from road impacts.

Small Mammal House staff cradle two tiny pygmy slow loris babies in their hands.
April 04, 2024

Pygmy Slow Lorises Are Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

For the first time, the Small Mammal House is celebrating the birth of two pygmy slow lorises, an endangered species.

Photo of Peter Leimgruber. Peter is a middle-aged Caucasian man with short brown hair and glasses. He is in an outdoor setting.
February 08, 2024

Peter Leimgruber Named Director of Conservation and Science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Leimgruber has more than 25 years of experience in developing and managing international conservation programs and partnerships.

A cotton-top tamarin perches on a tree branch.
February 05, 2024

Public Can Help Name Cotton-Top Tamarins at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Starting Feb. 5, the public will have an opportunity to vote on names for two cotton-top tamarin sisters.

Walnut, a white-naped-crane, strolls through a field of flowers at the NZCBI Front Royal Campus.
January 31, 2024

White-Naped Crane Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

NZCBI staff in Front Royal, Virginia, are mourning the loss of Walnut, a white-naped crane who became an internet sensation for choosing one of her keepers as her mate.

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats bamboo in his outdoor habitat.
November 08, 2023

Giant Pandas Depart Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for China ›

Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji began their journey to China on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

A Baltimore oriole parent feeds its chick in the Bird House's bird friendly coffee farm aviary on June 15, 2023.
October 27, 2023

Oriole Chicks Receive Names Following a Public Vote ›

The public has voted and now the 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s (NZCBI) Bird House have names!

Photo of a prairie dog eating a blade of grass against the backdrop of the American prairie.
October 24, 2023

New Technologies Track Prairie Dogs and Map Their Burrows for the First Time ›

Specialized technologies offer a new perspective into the lives of endangered black-footed ferrets and their prairie dog prey.

An orchard oriole, a small songbird with black upperparts and reddish-brown lower parts, perches on a tree branch.
October 23, 2023

Public Can Help Name Orchard Oriole Chicks at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

In a major conservation success, 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Bird House, and the Zoo is seeking the public’s help to name them.