News Archive

Zoo staff are mourning the loss of Shera, a female African lion who was humanely euthanized May 7.

African lion Shera has been a protective sister, a bossy mate and a doting mother. After a life well lived, keepers are preparing to say goodbye to the matriarch of the Zoo's pride.

From frogs and toads to newts, salamanders and caecilians, amphibians have some of the most amazing adaptations and abilities in the animal kingdom.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, so keepers and staff across the Zoo shared what makes volunteers so special.

With the return of the Zoo’s Elephant Cam, a group of trained volunteers are helping chronicle the daily lives of Asian elephants.

In celebration of Earth Day, 2-month-old Asian elephant calf Linh Mai made her public debut this morning.

Later this spring, we will bid farewell to western lowland gorilla Moke as he takes the next step towards growing up.

Asian elephant calf Linh Mai has come a long way since her first few weeks of life. Thanks to our dedicated staff and changes to her diet, our girl is growing big and strong!

Our 4-month-old sloth bear cubs, Osborn and Champa, voluntarily participated in their first veterinary exam!

Baby elephant Linh Mai recently hit a major milestone: she turned two months old!

Learn how Zoo veterinarians deliver expert care for an apex island predator.

Time to learn about everyone’s favorite wetland rodent.

Jill sees people as her flock. Jack’s more shy and standoffish. Learn how this unlikely crane couple blossomed into a bonded pair.

Zoo staff have designed a unique tropical aviary where a vibrant flock of birds thrives year-round.

The last day of the Zoo's Cheetah Cub Cam feed will be April 2. Learn what's next for the cubs in this keeper update.

A sure sign of spring is when giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao show interest in one another. Watch them "flirt" in this update!

New research published in the journal Conservation Biology provides a model for big data to inform conservation.

In celebration of Earth Day, Asian elephant calf Linh Mai will make her public debut April 22.

Asian elephant calf Linh Mai is 5 weeks old! She continues to make progress in socializing with her herdmates.

From fine-scale movements to continental migrations, learn why scientists are tracking Virginia's birds as they fly.

Vital to some, pests to others. No other animals symbolize America’s complicated relationship with the Great Plains quite like prairie dogs.

As artificial intelligence reshapes science, a new generation of ecologists is learning how to harness its potential.

Smithsonian researcher Maxwell Earle explains how tracking tech can help protect struggling Eastern box turtle populations in Virginia.

Smithsonian scientists are partnering on a new project to release Panamanian golden frogs back to the wild.