× VISITORS: In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are strongly recommended for guests, ages two and older. Social distancing is also encouraged.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Zoo News Archive
Share this page:

Zoo News Archive

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rolls down the hill in his outdoor habitat on Jan. 19, 2023.
Jan. 26, 2023
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Is On A Roll
The winter winds may blow chilly and cold, but they also bring out the sillies in our giant panda cub. The frisky 2.5-year-old tumbled around his outdoor habitat and showed off his unique somersault...
Andean bear Brienne sits in her den with her two cubs. Brienne is leaning over to clean one cub by her back leg. The other cub stands in front and right of her, taking a wobbly step. The den's floor is covered in hay. This photo is in black and white.
Jan. 25, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Update: First Steps, One Paw at a Time
Watch out! Our 2-month-old Andean bear cubs are on the move. Read on for the full update and to watch a clip of the cubs practicing walking.
Andean bear Brienne and cubs in her den.
Jan. 17, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #3
It may be cold outside, but these bear-y cute snuggles from our Andean Bear Cub Cam are sure to warm you up!
Cheetah mother Amani lays in the tall grass in her yard with her two male cubs. One cubs lays snuggled up next to her on the left and the other sits on the right. All three cheetahs look toward the camera.
Jan. 17, 2023
#CheetahCubdate 6: New Year, New Food and the First Snow
Amani and her 3-month-old cubs are entering the new year with new experiences and a clean bill of health. Read on for the full update from the keepers!
A 1-year-old female bald eagle perches on some branches in an outdoor enclosure. She is leaning forward, looking toward the camera.
Jan. 13, 2023
New at the Zoo: Bald Eagle Acadia
The new gal in town is inquisitive, a foodie and has a knack for shredding paper. Meet Acadia, a 2-year-old female bald eagle in this Q+A with American trail keepers Ashley Graham and Sam Milne!
Pedestrian entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Connecticut Ave.
Jan. 11, 2023
Reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Entry Pass Inquiry
A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry.
Clouded leopard in a tree.
Jan. 06, 2023
How to Care for Clouded Leopards
Meet the four clouded leopards who call the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute home. Pounce from Washington D.C. with Asia Trail keepers Kaitlyn Adkins and Jenny Spotten, to...
Asian elephants Trong Nhi (left) and Nhi Linh (right) explore their outdoor habitat at Elephant Trails.
Jan. 06, 2023
Meet Our Asian Elephant Mother-Daughter Duo
Let’s get ready to rumble, trumpet and stomp! Ever since Asian elephants Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh made their debut at the Elephant Trails habitat, they have been busy building relationships with their...
Striped skunk Sauerkraut
Jan. 06, 2023
New at the Zoo: Meet Our Skunk Brothers
Their hobbies include eating, snuggling and snoozing. Follow your nose to the Small Mammal House and meet our new striped skunk brothers, Pigpen and Sauerkraut! 
Female Andean Bear Brienne carries one of her male, 6-week-old cubs out of the den into a larger indoor area.
Jan. 05, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Update: Mom Knows Best
Our six-week-old Andean bear cubs’ eyes have opened! While their favorite spot continues to be curled up with mother Brienne, she has also started carrying them out of the den.
A Cuban crocodile sitting in shallow water
Dec. 22, 2022
Cuban Crocodile Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji snacks on a piece of sugar cane outside the Panda House.
Dec. 20, 2022
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Explores His New Habitat
Recently, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji has been exploring his new habitat with his mother, Mei Xiang, by his side. Get the latest update from keeper Mariel Lally. 
Two 9-week-old male cheetah cubs sit in their den on hay. The cub on the right appears to be hissing at the camera.
Dec. 14, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 5: A Jolly (Ball) Time
It’s been a jolly time for Amani and her two cubs over the last couple weeks! The family received some new enrichment and the cubs had their 9-week exam. Read on for the full Cheetah Cubdate from...
Two female Asian elephants standing next to each other.
Dec. 13, 2022
New Mother and Daughter Asian Elephants On View at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
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...
Two 3 week old Andean bear cubs sleep on some hay. One cub "spoons" its sibling.
Dec. 13, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Update: The Beary First Look
Brienne’s cubs are one month old on Thursday, Dec. 15. Since their birth, keepers have primarily watched mom and cubs from the Andean Bear Cub Cam. Last week, animal keeper Sara Colandrea was able to...
An infrared camera screen shot of a mother Andean bear with two small cubs laying in hay
Dec. 09, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #2
Snuggle in! It's time for an Andean Bear Cub Cam moment with our 3-week-old cubs.
Male pygmy slow loris, Pabu, stands with his hind legs on the edge of a wooden box on it's side. Pabu's front legs are on a branch coming up from under the box. There is another, darker and thicker branch below Pabu and in the foreground.
Dec. 05, 2022
New at the Zoo: Pygmy Slow Lorises
In a darkened, red-lit area of the Small Mammal House, two small, nocturnal primates explore their habitats. Naga and Pabu are the first pygmy slow lorises housed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo...
an infrared view inside an Andean bear cub den where the mother rests on piles of hay. her cubs lay in front of her
Dec. 02, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #1
Animal care staff are keeping a close watch on mom and babies and wanted to share some of their favorite moments with you! 
On the left, a unidentifiable keeper, wearing a dark grey T-shirt over a light grey long sleeves shirt, holds a 6-week-old male cheetah cub. On the right, an unidentifiable vet wearing blue scrubs and white latex gloves, holds a stethoscope up to the cub.
Nov. 28, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 4: Feast Your Eyes on These 7-week-old Cubs
‘Tis the season for tasty feasts — even for our cheetah cubs! Amani's 7-week-old cubs tried meat for the first time and had their first vet exam. Get the full scoop in this #CheetahCubdate.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats a bamboo shoot on the patio of his exhibit in May 2022.
Nov. 25, 2022
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Reaches A Big Milestone
Last month, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hit a big milestone—he successfully participated in an awake blood draw! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson. 
Andean bear Brienne holds her two cubs as she reclines in her nest.
Nov. 23, 2022
Andean Bear Cubs Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
After an eight-year hiatus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is celebrating the birth of two Andean bears. The cubs were born Nov. 15 to first-time parents, 3-year-...
The entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Zoolights event with trees lit up in red, green, yellow and blue and a lit sign that says "Zoolights"
Nov. 16, 2022
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Returns Nov. 25
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 darker-furred cheetah cub (1 month old) lays in a plastic blue bin. He is looking up with his mouth open, showing a few small teeth coming in.
Nov. 09, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 3: Ready, Set, Play!
Amani’s two male cubs are one month old, ready to play and are back making appearances on the Cheetah Cub Cam! Read on to find out just how mobile these cubs are and don't miss two adorable videos of...
Asian elephants Trong Nhi (left) and Nhi Linh (right) at Rotterdam Zoo.
Nov. 07, 2022
Two Female Asian Elephants Welcomed to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
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...
Two female American bison stand in a snow covered yard.
Nov. 04, 2022
How to Care for American Bison
National Bison Day is the first Saturday in November and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has a big reason to celebrate these iconic animals! Wallow in the autumn...
Subscribe to our RSS feed