Press Release Archive

Eating chocolate is now better for birds, humans and the planet. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has expanded its Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program to include standards for cocoa farming. This is the only certification that guarantees 100% of the cocoa...

A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry.

A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.

Two new female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi (trong-nEE) and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh (nEE-lin), are now on public view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., having completed quarantine following their Nov. 7 arrival...

Washington D.C.’s beloved free, family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, powered by Pepco, returns to brighten the season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The Zoo will be illuminated for 22 select nights—from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Read on...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh, to Washington, D.C.

Read curator of birds, Sara Hallager's testimony on Bill 24-710 before the Washington, D.C., City Council.

Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old.

A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire.

Carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. They appear to be strong, active, vocalizing and nursing well. Animal care staff are closely monitoring Amani and...

The Fort Belknap Indian Community commemorated three years of its swift fox recovery program with the release of three swift foxes on Tribal lands, bringing the total to 103 recovered back to these prairie grasslands.

Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are grieving the loss of Nababiep, a female African lion affectionately called Naba, who was humanely euthanized Sept. 26. She was 18 years old.

Staff are mourning the loss of Calli, a 17-year-old female California sea lion, who died Sept. 7.

The Bird Migration Explorer, a state-of-the-art digital platform, allows users to see the most complete data collected on migratory species in their neighborhoods and where those birds go throughout the year.

Not a trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, the beloved family-friendly Halloween event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, is back Oct. 28, 29 and 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For the first time, Bird House keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered blue-billed curassows.

This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s second birthday.

The Zoo’s giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will celebrate his second birthday Aug. 21 with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.

In recent decades, global forest tree growth has dramatically slowed the pace of atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation and climate change.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., raise your glass for conservation and enjoy unlimited tastings from more than 45 breweries and cideries.

For the first time, a tropical sea urchin — a species intrinsically linked to the long-term health and survival of coral reefs — was grown successfully from cryopreserved embryos.

Kids’ Farm keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Rose—a 19-year-old female Hereford who was humanely euthanized July 25.

We want to let you know about an incident that occurred at a company that we use to send email communications to our community about our programs and events. The company, WordFly, was the victim of a ransomware attack.

For the first time, a whooping crane—one of the most endangered species of crane in the world —hatched May 26 and is thriving at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia.

Prowl the new Claws & Paws Pathway exhibit opening to the public Friday, May 27. Visitors will encounter a North American porcupine, bobcats and the Zoo’s newest residents — binturongs and Pallas’s cats.