News Archive

Displaying 1 - 25 of 187 articles.

Two clouded leopard cubs with large paws and thick spotted fur rest together on a large tree limb
December 26, 2019

2019’s Conservation Stories Worth Celebrating (Part Two) ›

As 2019 comes to a close, we’re continuing to reflect on some of this year’s biggest conservation success stories.

Giant panda Bei Bei climbs a tree on the morning of his last day at the Smithsonian's National Zoo before leaving for China
December 26, 2019

2019’s Conservation Stories Worth Celebrating (Part One) ›

As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on some of our biggest conservation success stories of 2019.

A dog with a chain collar and leash stands beside a person's legs. The person is petting the dog's head.
December 26, 2019

Stopping Rabies in its Tracks: How Canine Vaccines are Saving Lives in Kenya ›

In October, Global Health Program veterinary fellows participated in the annual Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign in Laikipia County, Kenya, which aims to eradicate (or completely eliminate) the virus from the region.

A southern two-toed sloth with coarse fur, long limbs and curved claws hangs upside-down from a tree branch.
December 23, 2019

New Two-toed Sloth Arrives at Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›

The Small Mammal House has a new resident worth slowing down for: Athena, a 1½-year-old female two-toed sloth.

A nutrition lab research assistant at the Zoo wearing a full-body snowsuit stands in the freezer where animal milk samples are stored. The shelves are stacked with cardboard boxes and she holds a small box filled with tubes of milk samples.
December 20, 2019

Making Sense of Animal Milks ›

As a research assistant for the nutrition laboratory, Jenna Pastel wears a snowsuit year-round. That’s because she spends a lot of time in a -20 degree Fahrenheit walk-in freezer located in the Zoo’s science building.

A nutrition lab research assistant at the Zoo wearing a full-body snowsuit stands in the freezer where animal milk samples are stored. She holds a bag full of milk samples, and is surrounded by shelves stacked with cardboard boxes full of more samples.
December 20, 2019

Guess That Milk Quiz ›

Are you a milk maven? Play "Guess That Milk" and try to match these milk samples with the animals they came from.

Asian elephant Shanthi at the Zoo's Elephant Trails exhibit.
December 06, 2019

Elephant Update: Caring for Shanthi ›

An update on Asian elephant Shanthi's osteoarthritis.

Lesser kudu female Rogue with her newborn male calf behind the scenes at the Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station. 
December 06, 2019

Meet the Zoo’s New Kudu Calf ›

On Oct. 15, the Zoo welcomed a bouncing baby to its lesser kudu family! This past week, he joined his mom and brother on exhibit for the first time.

A small monkey, called an emperor tamarin, with dark fur, little ears and a long, curled, whispy, white "mustache" is perched in a tree
December 06, 2019

New at the Zoo: Emperor Tamarins ›

Meet Fleck and Poe, a pair of emperor tamarin brothers who recently made their debut in Amazonia’s rainforest habitat! Get to know these mischievous monkeys from animal keeper Denny Charlton.

Zoo entrance with icon banners.
December 05, 2019

Dec. 5: ZooLights Security Update ›

An update from Zoo director Steve Monfort regarding plans to implement additional security measures doing ZooLights.

Reproductive scientist looking through a microscope.
December 04, 2019

Smithsonian Scientists Dry and Store Live Ovarian Tissues Above Freezing Temperatures for the First Time ›

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have preserved complex ovarian tissues in domestic cats above freezing temperatures by dehydrating them with the help of microwaves.

Zoo entrance with icon banners.
December 01, 2019

ZooLights Security Update ›

An update from Zoo Director Steve Monfort regarding ZooLights security.

Gorillas Calaya and Moke at the Great Ape House outdoor yard.
November 29, 2019

A Conversation about Animal Cognition ›

In August, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's animal welfare and research manager Betsy Herrelko, Ph.D., moderated a panel at the 2019 Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Bei Bei in his hammock at the Bifengxia Panda Base.
November 27, 2019

Bei Bei Has Settled in at Bifengxia and the Panda Team is Back! ›

Bei Bei is settling in at his new home in China at the Bifengxia panda base. He did very well on the FedEx Panda Express and spent most of the 16-hour trip eating and sleeping.

The main entrance to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, featuring trees wrapped in holiday lights, light-up pandas and a lit sign that says "ZooLights"
November 22, 2019

Media Advisory | Flip the Switch: ZooLights, Powered by Pepco ›

Flip the switch event to officially open ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the annual free lights festival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

a keeper feeds a giant panda bamboo in a crate
November 19, 2019

Giant Panda Bei Bei Departs Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China ›

Bei Bei the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China on Nov. 19, 2019.

The main entrance to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, featuring trees wrapped in holiday lights, light-up pandas and a lit sign that says "ZooLights"
November 18, 2019

ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Begins Nov. 29 ›

ZooLights—powered by Pepco—is bigger, brighter and better than ever this season. Visitors can join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in celebrating the holidays with its annual free lights festival. The Zoo will be illuminated for 31 nights—from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1, 2020 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31)...

Giant panda Bei Bei stands in the branches of a tree green with foliage
November 16, 2019

Media Advisory: Farewell Celebration for Giant Panda Bei Bei ›

“Bye Bye, Bei Bei” (BAY-BAY,) a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he departs for China.

Sept. 8, 2019: Giant panda cub Bei Bei at 2 weeks old.
November 08, 2019

Snapshot: Bei Bei in Pictures ›

Giant panda Bei Bei knows how to work his angles! Check out some of our favorite snaps of this remarkably photogenic bear from the past four years.

Prehensile-tailed porcupette
November 08, 2019

Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›

There is a prickle of excitement at Small Mammal House where keepers discovered that Beatrix, a 2-year-old prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette.

Giant panda Bei Bei stands in the branches of a tree green with foliage
November 08, 2019

Bei Bei’s Most Memorable Moments at the Zoo ›

As we prepare to bid giant panda Bei Bei a fond farewell, we’re taking a look back at some favorite milestones and memorable moments from his time at the Zoo.

Bei Bei in the Sun
November 08, 2019

A Day in the Life of a Giant Panda Keeper ›

Follow a day in the life of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda keepers as they care for Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Bei Bei.

Smithsonian logo
November 07, 2019

Media Advisory: Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Bei Bei Departs for China ›

Media Advisory: Giant panda Bei Bei departs for China Nov. 19.