Zoo News Archive
Feb. 24, 2020
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the Columbus Zoo have successfully transferred cheetah embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) to a surrogate cheetah...
Feb. 12, 2020
It has been a fairly mild winter at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. But we did have one bigger snow day Jan. 7. It snowed almost 6 inches at some of our barns...
Feb. 12, 2020
Across Laikipia County in central Kenya, endangered species like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and African wild dog, coexist alongside rapidly growing numbers of people and livestock. A...
Feb. 11, 2020
Primate keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Sydney, a white-cheeked gibbon who was humanely euthanized Feb. 4. He was 20 years old.
Feb. 04, 2020
Registration for 2020 spring and summer camps is open to all FONZ members now.
Jan. 31, 2020
Inti is bold, Masi is chill and Sani is shy (unless there is food around). No, they aren’t the latest reality TV divas, but the newest residents at the Zoo. An all-female herd of guinea pigs has...
Jan. 31, 2020
Moke may just be a few months shy of turning 2-years-old, but our young western lowland gorilla has quite an independent personality! Last autumn, he mastered voluntary injection training.
Jan. 29, 2020
Given the choice between mealworms and melons, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s sloth bears—6-year-old female Remi and 5-year-old male Niko—will almost always choose the former, even when their diet...
Jan. 27, 2020
An elderly 25-year-old male Mariana crow named Clint was humanely euthanized at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) Jan.14.
Jan. 24, 2020
American Trail keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Luke, a male harbor seal who was humanely euthanized Jan. 23. At 35 years old, Luke was considered geriatric for his...
Jan. 21, 2020
In celebration of Squirrel Appreciation Day on Jan. 21, here are six facts to get you better acquainted with the Prevost’s squirrel.
Jan. 16, 2020
David E. Wildt, renowned scientist and conservationist died at his home on January 15, 2020.
Jan. 15, 2020
Although we are on the other side of the world, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to protecting species and their habitats, and supporting our fellow zoos...
Jan. 14, 2020
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been having some adventures around the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat!
Jan. 13, 2020
Walking through the forests of Guam the sound is arresting, because it’s silent. But the loud whistle of the Guam rail is returning to the forests of nearby islands, nearly 40 years after the bird...
Jan. 06, 2020
As the Smithsonian’s National Zoo rang in the new year, the elephant team celebrated another revolution around the sun for (now) 45-year-old female Asian elephant, Shanthi.
Jan. 03, 2020
An update from Andean bear keeper Sara Colandrea on the latest happenings with Billie Jean and Quito.
Jan. 03, 2020
Swing into the new year with an animal that knows a thing or two about swinging: gibbons! Get to know Sydney, Ronnie and Bradley from primate keeper Carly Hornberger.
Jan. 03, 2020
What’s that rustle in the trees behind Reptile Discovery Center? Look up, or you may miss the Zoo’s stealthy male crocodile monitor hiding among the branches. Get the scoop on this cool cold-blooded...
Dec. 26, 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we’re continuing to reflect on some of this year’s biggest conservation success stories.
Dec. 26, 2019
As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on some of our biggest conservation success stories of 2019.
Dec. 26, 2019
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...
Dec. 23, 2019
The Small Mammal House has a new resident worth slowing down for: Athena, a 1½-year-old female two-toed sloth.
Dec. 20, 2019
As a research assistant for the nutrition laboratory, I wear a snowsuit year-round. That’s because I spend a lot of time in a -20 degree Fahrenheit walk-in freezer located in the Zoo’s science...
Dec. 20, 2019
Are you a milk maven? Play "Guess That Milk" and try to match these milk samples with the animals they came from.