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Smithsonian's National Zoo Opens Spectacular New American Trail Exhibit
After five years of planning and construction, the National Zoo will open the new American Trail exhibit to the public Saturday, Sept. 1, at noon. The renovated area in the extensive lower valley between Elephant Trail and Amazonia will transport visitors to the Pacific Northwest where they will...
Press Kit for American Trail
American Trail showcases species that are gems of North American wildlife, and treasures to us all. These animals represent the triumph of the American spirit and conservation success stories. The majority of American Trail species have rebounded after facing severe threats. Many of the residents of...
Fishing Cat Kittens Explore Their Yard at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo can now see its three-month-old fishing cat kittens exploring, playing, climbing and fishing on Asia Trail. The kittens and their mother, Electra, will be on exhibit from approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, weather permitting. They are most active in...
Fishing Cat Kittens Explore Their Yard
Visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo can now see its three-month-old fishing cat kittens exploring, playing, climbing and fishing on Asia Trail. The kittens and their mother, Electra, will be on exhibit from approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, weather permitting. They are most active in...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Celebrates Birth of Three Hoofstock Species
The Smithsonian's National Zoo welcomed the births of three different hoofed species in the span of one week. A male scimitar-horned oryx, a female Przewalski's horse and a female onager were born Aug. 4, 9 and 11, respectively, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va...
Female Giant Panda's Hormones on the Rise at Smithsonian's National Zoo
National Zoo scientists have detected a secondary rise in urinary progesterone in its female giant panda, Mei Xiang. This means that she will either give birth to a cub or experience the end of a pseudopregnancy in 40 to 50 days. Mei Xiang has had five consecutive pseudopregnancies since 2007. Mei...
Flamingo Hatches at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
A flamingo chick hatched at the Smithsonian's National Zoo July 29. Its sex has not yet been determined. The flock of 63 birds produces about 15 fertile eggs in a normal breeding season. However, the flock had irregular mating patterns this year; they produced only six eggs and did not construct...
Raise a Glass to Conservation at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Friends of the National Zoo invites guests to raise a wine glass and toast to conservation at Grapes with the Apes at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Sept. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Renowned local and national wineries will offer vintages for guests to sip while mingling in the Great Apes House after...
Dama Gazelle Fawn Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo humanely euthanized its 13-day-old Addra (dama) gazelle fawn Aug. 7. The fawn, a male, was born on exhibit in front of visitors. Cheetah Conservation Station keepers and Zoo veterinarians had been closely observing him since shortly after his birth July 25. Last Friday, when keepers...
Andean Bear Dies at National Zoo
Nikki, the 20-year-old male Andean (or spectacled) bear at the Smithsonian's National Zoo was euthanized Aug. 6. A final pathology report will provide more information. Keeper and veterinary staff had been intensely managing his health over the past year, and his condition began to rapidly decline...
Cheetah Cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Named after Fastest American Olympians in 100-Meter Dash
The cheetah cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and the U.S. Olympic sprinters have been demonstrating their speed and agility to the world, and now the fastest Americans share something else with the 3-month-old cubs: their names. In partnership with USA Track & Field, the Zoo named the cubs...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Launches New App for Smartphones
The National Zoo invites visitors to customize their Zoo experience with its first mobile app for iOS devices, now available from the App Store for $1.99. An app for Android platforms will be available in the next few weeks. With the swipe of a fingertip, smartphone users can access helpful tips for...
Dama Gazelle Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Special delivery at the Smithsonian's National Zoo today! A Dama gazelle was born to mom Adara and dad Raul this afternoon around 2:30 p.m. on exhibit. A few extremely lucky Zoo visitors witnessed the young gazelle's birth and first steps. Adara and her baby will be off-exhibit for the next few...
Cheetah Cubs Explore Their Yard at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The two 3-month-old cheetah cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and the Olympic athletes have one thing in common: starting this week they will be showing off their speed, agility and raw, physical prowess. Just days before the opening of the Olympic Games, the Zoo is introducing the cubs to...
Celebrate Global Tiger Day and Meet New Sumatran Tiger at the Smithsonian's National Zoo July 29
Prowl around the Great Cats exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Global Tiger Day, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and meet the Zoo's newest tiger - Kavi. Kavi, an 11 year-old male from Zoo Atlanta, has joined females Damai and Soyono at the National Zoo. Special enrichment demonstrations...
Fierce and Feisty Cuban Crocodiles First to Hatch at the Zoo in 24 Years
With the recent hatching of two Cuban crocodiles, the National Zoo just got a little snappier! These feisty reptiles hatched July 6 and 14 and are among the most genetically valuable individuals in the Cuban crocodile population under human care.
Lion Update Jul 15, 2012
With the lion cubs second birthdays rapidly approaching, we are starting to receive official recommendations from the African lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) about where the youngsters will start their adult lives. We recently confirmed that Aslan and Baruti will be heading to Calgary Zoo this...
Last Chance to See Two of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's African Lions
For nearly 2 years, the Washington, D.C. area has watched the Smithsonian's National Zoo's seven young African lions ( Panthera leo) grow from playful cubs to majestic juveniles. Soon, Baruti and Aslan will start the next chapter of their lives at the Calgary Zoo, where they will eventually be...
Gabon and Back
By Stephen Schulze, Small Mammal House Keeper Along the southwest coast of Gabon lies a 32-kilometer strip (about 20 miles) of roadless savanna (less than five kilometers, or about three miles, at its widest) that is all but an island, abutting the Atlantic and sectioned from the mainland by three...
National Zoo's Twin Fishing Cats are Healthy and Thriving
At 6 weeks old, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's two fishing cat ( Prionailurus viverrinus) kittens, a male and female, received a clean bill of health from Zoo veterinarians June 29. The veterinary team performed a complete physical exam, which includes: listening to the kittens' heart and lungs...
Kori Bustards and Burrowing Owls Hatch at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo welcomed two burrowing owl chicks May 24. When they hatch, the chicks are helpless and their eyes are closed. By age 2 1/2 weeks, the chicks are able to control their body temperature and begin to emerge from their burrows to beg for food. At 3 weeks old, they begin...
Elderly Gray Seal Dies at National Zoo
The National Zoo's senior male gray seal, Gunnar, died June 22. Keeper and veterinary staff had been managing his declining health for several months. A final pathology report will provide more information. He was 38 years old.
National Zoo Asks Facebook Fans to Name First Baby Howler Monkey
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is inviting its Facebook fans to answer the call of the wild by naming one of the Small Mammal House's loudest and most charismatic critters: a baby black howler monkey ( Alouatta nigerrima).
Twin Fishing Cats Born at the National Zoo — a First
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is closer to cracking the code for breeding one of Asia's most elusive species with the birth of two fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus).
Cheers for Conservation at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Conservation is always on tap at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and guests are invited to raise their beer glasses in support during Brew at the Zoo. Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, the popular event will take place this year on July 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than 40 microbreweries will...