News Archive

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...

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.

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).

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...

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).

Scientists from the Smithsonian and colleagues have found that waterbird communities can be the canary in the coal mine when it comes to detecting the health of urban estuary ecosystems.

Two research papers published this spring by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists and partners will form the building blocks for conservation biologists to take action in saving canid species on two continents. The work on African wild dogs and dholes, or Asiatic wild dogs, brings...

At 6 weeks old, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's two cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus) cubs received a clean bill of health from Zoo veterinarians June 7. The veterinary team performed a complete physical exam, which includes: listening to the cubs' heart and lungs; checking their mouth, eyes, legs, feet...

First of all, here is a Guntur update for all his many fans. He is doing very well in Zoorasia and has made his big debut. It rained for his first public appearance in Yokohama, but since his name means "thunder" this was taken as a good sign. Those of you who have been following Guntur from the...

A six-year-old male brown kiwi ( Apteryx mantelli) named Manaia died Saturday, May 26, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. He had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical illness.

Three weeks after their unconventional and rocky entrance into the world, two 3-week-old cheetahs were transported May 18 to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in good health, thanks to the hard work and swift actions of animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal...

When Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute postdoctoral fellow Ben Hirsch found that juvenile ring-tailed coatis regularly attack stronger, older coatis and often even receive help from adult females, previous studies about how related animals treat one another could not predict his next...

The National Zoo will close early today in preparation for ZooFari (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). The lower half of the Zoo, from the Small Mammal House down, will close at noon. The outdoor giant panda exhibit will close at 2 p.m., and the entire Zoo will close at 4 p.m. Last admittance to the Zoo is at...

A family group of Asian small-clawed otters arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo this spring!

As new development projects take over pristine wilderness, national parks provide some of the last safe havens for wildlife. But Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have found that the very infrastructure that supports the parks can result in easier access to the wildlife the parks...

As new development projects take over pristine wilderness, national parks provide some of the last safe havens for wildlife. But Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have found that the very infrastructure that supports the parks can result in easier access to the wildlife the parks...

As the U.S. Olympic Swim Team prepares to go for the gold in London, a new family of Asian small-clawed otters ( Amblonyx cinereus) is making quite a splash of their own at the National Zoo. Eleven otters—two parents and nine offspring—will dive into their new digs this Saturday.

A new family of Asian small-clawed otters ( Amblonyx cinereus) is making quite a splash at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo feeds 400 species regularly, but on May 17 Friends of the National Zoo will host the human species at ZooFari, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guests are invited on a culinary safari to sample gourmet fare from more than 100 of the D.C. area's finest restaurants.

When the elephant keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo hear the sound of a harmonica, it is not the radio they have left on. Instead, it is the Zoo's 36-year-old Asian elephant, Shanthi, who, unsolicited, has a propensity for coming up with her own ditties using whatever instruments the keepers...

When the elephant keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo hear the sound of a harmonica, it is not the radio they have left on. Instead, it is the Zoo's 36-year-old Asian elephant, Shanthi, who, unsolicited, has a propensity for coming up with her own ditties using whatever instruments the keepers...

The new exhibit at Small Mammal House uses radiographs and artifacts to explain the relationship between body structure and behavior of animals. Visitors will see some interesting X-rays and learn how animals move, eat, and play. THE TALE OF THE TAIL The first series of radiographs focuses on...

Hi, my name is Marie Galloway. I am the elephant manager here at National Zoo. Those of you that have been following our website for a long time might remember me from the "Moving In" blog. I wrote updates in 2010 when the elephants were moving into the new Elephant Trails Phase 1 exhibit. Currently...

Giant panda breeding season began this year at the Smithsonian's National Zoo when female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), went into estrus over the weekend. Dr. Li Desheng from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, and National Zoo scientists and veterinarians...

Two young adult Asian small-clawed otters, from a new family of 13, died late yesterday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Seven otters received routine quarantine exams during which the animals had patches of their fur dyed for identification purposes and they received contraceptive implants. After...