News Archive

There comes a time in life for every bird to spread its wings and leave the nest, but for gray catbirds, that might be the beginning of the end.

Perhaps no bird species in North American elicits a more emotional response from birders and researchers alike than the brown-headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater; hereafter: cowbirds). Cowbirds are fascinating to many for having maybe the most unusual breeding biology of any bird on the continent, yet...

The National Zoo’s giant panda mating season began early for the third consecutive year with female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempting to mate Jan. 29. Mei Xiang continues her January ovulation pattern that started in 2009; historically her estrus occurred in March...

Researching animals in the wild can be challenging, especially if it involves a rare or elusive species like the giant panda or the clouded leopard. To remedy this, scientists rely heavily on camera traps—automated cameras with motion sensors. Left to photograph what passes in front of them, the...

The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a 1-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December and is now in his exhibit. Lek is set to breed with 6-year-old Electra, the Zoo’s only female fishing cat, who for now is in the enclosure next to him. The Zoo...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be featured on the season two premiere of DC Cupcakes, airing Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m. on TLC. In honor of the Zoo’s episode, Georgetown Cupcake will sell a honey-banana-flavored cupcake named “Gone Bananas!” and donate the entire proceeds to benefit the Zoo’s...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park’s “Uncle Beazley” is in need of a facelift. The life-size fiberglass triceratops was moved to the Smithsonian’s Office of Exhibits Central in Landover, Md. this morning to have his holes and cracks patched. He will also receive a new coat of UV and weather...

The National Zoological Park’s youngest brown kiwi ( Apteryx mantelli), Areta (pronounced AH-reh-tah), died in the early morning of Feb. 14. She had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical illness. A full postmortem examination was conducted, and a final pathology report may provide more...

Since 1948, birds have been counted in winter in a 65 acre study plot in Rock Creek Park, a large forested area in Washington, D.C.

With more than 20 recognized subspecies, the song sparrow is one of the most variable bird species in North America.

By Barbara Watkins, Reptile Discovery Center Keeper at the National Zoo After an arduous nine years working to acquire Japanese giant salamanders, the National Zoo welcomed a group to our collection at the Reptile Discovery Center in December 2009. As our team stood waiting for the cargo at Dulles...

The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a one-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December 2010 and is now in his exhibit. Lek is set to breed with six-year-old Electra, the Zoo's only female fishing cat, who for now is in the enclosure next to him...

The two cheetah cubs born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in December received their first vaccinations yesterday. At about 8 weeks and 6 weeks old, both cubs appear to be healthy, Zoo veterinarians said after completing the cubs’ health exam. “We were encouraged by the exam...

The tiger reserves of Asia could support more than 10,000 wild tigers—three times the current number—if they are managed as large-scale landscapes that allow for connectivity between core breeding sites, according to a new paper from scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and...

As President Barack Obama met with President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China this week, another notable U.S./China meeting took place this morning at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Dennis Kelly, director of the National Zoo, and Zang Chunlin, secretary general of the China...

The giant anteater born on Dec. 7 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park is growing quickly and doing well. The male pup, yet to be named, is the third anteater to be born at the Zoo. The pup and parents are not likely to be on exhibit until warmer temperatures arrive in spring, but those...

As the fate of tigers hangs in the balance, conservationists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and partnering organizations in the Global Tiger Initiative are launching a month-long course in Thailand aimed at teaching wildlife officers, field managers, and researchers from tiger...

An elderly female bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) named Sam was euthanized Friday, Dec. 31, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The bird was found lying in her exhibit Dec. 28 and was transported to the Zoo’s veterinary hospital for treatment. Although the eagle initially responded...

Looking for the “wildest” way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank? Attend the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s third annual on Friday, Feb. 11 for an opportunity to learn about animal mating, dating and reproductive habits in an honest and humorous forum. This extraordinary evening...