News Archive

Displaying 1 - 25 of 83 articles.

Two orangutans, one male and one female, climb across a rope bridge.
December 22, 2025

How Human Health Technology Is Improving Orangutan Welfare ›

Redd’s daily treatment reveals how human medical technology is commonly adapted by zoos to help orangutans breathe easier.

A frog with a radio tracker device balances on a researcher's gloved hand
December 19, 2025

Small Stories, Big Science at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute in 2025 ›

Take a look at some bite-sized stories about our science programs this year.

Giant panda Bao Li playing with an enrichment toy in the snow
December 19, 2025

The Animal Care Stories That Shaped 2025 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›

We’ve gift-wrapped a few short highlights that capture the spirit of the year in animal care.

Two zoo staffers hold a tiny cheetah cub
December 16, 2025

Cheetah Cubs Have Their First Checkup ›

Get an inside look at how our animal care teams conduct a regular checkup on four tiny cheetah cubs.

Binturong Lola in her exhibit at the Claws & Paws Pathway. Credit: Skip Brown/Smithsonian
December 12, 2025

Safety Incident at Smithsonian's National Zoo ›

Two animal care staff sustained injuries following an interaction with binturong Lola.

Photo showing an aerial view of a herd of wildebeest running across the grassland toward a fenceline.
December 09, 2025

For Migratory Species, Fences Don’t Make Good Neighbors ›

Fences are creating serious problems for wildebeest herds, says a Smithsonian ecologist studying megafauna migrations in Africa.

a family visits siamangs at Gibbon Ridge
December 04, 2025

Applications Open for Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Support ›

Looking for a unique way to make a difference next year? Consider joining the Zoo family!

Cream-colored ball python in a glass-windowed habitat
November 25, 2025

Classroom Critters: How to Keep Ourselves and Our Reptile Friends Healthy ›

This blog from a Smithsonian intern highlights the joys of classroom pets, and outlines the steps necessary to keep students and animals safe.

Asian elephant Spike at Smithsonian's National Zoo exhibit Elephant Trails.
November 24, 2025

Asian Elephant Program Media Resources ›

Find comprehensive resources for media on the Asian elephant program at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Asian elephant Nhi Linh (foreground) is pregnant and due to give birth between mid-January and early March 2026 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Male Spike (background) sired the calf. Credit: Spike Brown/Smithsonian
November 24, 2025

Asian Elephant Is Pregnant at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

For the first time in nearly 25 years, animal care staff are preparing for the highly anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf.

Photo of a grasshopper perched on the side of a measuring stick
November 19, 2025

How Grasshoppers Beat the Heat ›

On hot days, humans rely on air conditioning, pools and fans to cool us down. Grasshoppers came up with their own clever trick for beating the heat: climbing.

Giant panda lantern surrounded by colorful flower archway and illuminated stalks of bamboo. Credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian
November 17, 2025

ZooLights Returns Nov. 21 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.

Giant panda Qing Bao climbs a tree in her outdoor habitat on Nov. 1, 2025. Credit: Kaitlyn Adkins/Smithsonian
November 15, 2025

Giant Panda Qing Bao Gets a Checkup ›

Giant panda Qing Bao had a routine checkup Oct. 22. Veterinarians say she is in very good health!

Web-camera photo of a female cheetah nursing four cubs
November 15, 2025

Litter of Four Cheetah Cubs Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia are celebrating the births of a litter of cheetah cubs.

Snapping turtle with gaping mouth
October 10, 2025

7 Spooktacular Animal Facts for Halloween ›

Read on for some chilling curiosities from the creatures of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

A green lizard with long toes and a long tail.
October 08, 2025

Smithsonian's National Zoo Welcomes Two Weber's Sailfin Lizards ›

A new species just arrived at the Reptile Discovery Center… and visitors can meet a living “dragon” up close!

Closeup on the eyes of a female orangutan
October 06, 2025

Meet the Orangutans Living at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›

Wondering which orangutan you’ll meet on your next visit? Get to know their names and personalities in this guide written by the Primates keeper team.

Photo of two black-footed ferrets in a plastic nest box filled with bedding.
September 25, 2025

New Kits Born in Black-footed Ferret Cloning Research ›

The Smithsonian celebrates the birth of three litters of black-footed ferrets in the lineage of Antonia, a clone of a ferret who died more than 30 years ago.

Head Start Pinky with Smithsonian Castle
September 23, 2025

Virtual Field Trips Bring the Smithsonian—and Its Animals—to Preschoolers Everywhere ›

Together with partners, educators at the Zoo and Smithsonian museums are delivering unique learning experiences to early childhood classrooms.

A red panda cub was born June 22 to mother Keahi and father Rocket at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's campus in Front Royal, VA. Credit: Jessica Kordell/Smithsonian
September 17, 2025

Meet the Red Panda Cub Born at Our Conservation Campus ›

In this Q&A, keeper Jessica Kordell shares the latest on our red panda cub’s developments.

Giant panda Qing Bao enjoys her "4-ever sweet" birthday cake at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian
September 12, 2025

#DCPandas: Happy 4th Birthday, Qing Bao! ›

Join us in wishing our “4-ever sweet” giant panda Qing Bao a happy 4th birthday!

Profile view of two Canada lynx
September 12, 2025

Meet the Canada Lynx, A Wild Cat Built for North America's Boreal Forest ›

Say hello to Jasper, Rocky, and Yukon — three Canada lynx brothers you can now see at the Great Cats exhibit!

Close up photo of a prairie dog standing on alert in its burrow entrance.
September 10, 2025

Smallest Herbivores Create the Biggest Impact for Grassland Forage ›

New Smithsonian research indicates prairie dogs and grasshoppers have some of the largest impacts on grassland nutrient cycles.

Cuban crocodile closeup
September 09, 2025

8 Fascinating Facts About the Cuban Crocodile, a Rare Caribbean Predator ›

They’re agile on land. Intelligent in behavior. And…they can gallop like a horse? Learn what makes Cuban crocodiles so extraordinary.

A group of several meerkats jumbled up in a pile inside their habitat space.
September 02, 2025

Meet the Meerkats: A Guide to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Meerkat Family ›

Which meerkat is which? Small Mammal House keeper Ann Gutowski offers some clues on how you can tell the meerkats apart.