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Zoo News Archive

Bei Bei in the Sun
Nov. 08, 2019
A Day in the Life of a Giant Panda Keeper
Follow a day in the life of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda keepers as they care for Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Bei Bei. 
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Nov. 07, 2019
Media Advisory: Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Bei Bei Departs for China
Media Advisory: Giant panda Bei Bei departs for China Nov. 19.
Passports
Nov. 07, 2019
Go on a FONZ Passport Adventure
FONZ members can now have even more fun during their visits to the Smithsonian's National Zoo with the brand-new FONZ Member Passport program, presented by Chase.
Orangutan Lucy
Nov. 01, 2019
Under (Blood) Pressure: Monitoring Heart Rates in Zoo Primates
How do you get an orangutan to sit still for an electrocardiogram? All it takes is a little patience and a lot of ingenuity! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s positive reinforcement training program...
Bye Bye Bei Bei
Nov. 01, 2019
Join FONZ for the Bye Bye, Bei Bei Member Event
Members: join FONZ for the Bye Bye, Bei Bei member event!
Bobwhite Quail
Nov. 01, 2019
Answering the Call for Bobwhite Quail
Forty years ago, the distinctive call of the bobwhite quail could be heard throughout Virginia’s grasslands. Now, their call is fading — silenced by changing farm practices and land development that...
Flamingo Chicks
Nov. 01, 2019
Bird is the Word
The Zoo's historic Bird House may be under renovation, but that has not stopped the animal care team from bringing native shorebirds, songbirds and waterfowl under their wing to establish best...
African lion female
Nov. 01, 2019
Keeping Up with the Great Cats: Lion Pride Edition
Fall is upon us, which means that it’s a great time to visit the Great Cats exhibit to see our African lions in action! When the temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the cats are at...
An emperor tamarin, a small monkey with a long white mustache, sitting on a branch.
Oct. 29, 2019
New Emperor Tamarins On Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to two new regally mustachioed monkeys. 
Lesser kudu female Rogue with her newborn male calf behind the scenes at the Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station.
Oct. 24, 2019
Lesser Kudu Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the arrival of a male lesser kudu calf, who was born Oct. 14 to 5-year-old mother Rogue and 9-year-old father...
A shorebird, called a long-billed curlew, with a long, slender, curved bill, and mottled brown feathers flies over grasslands in Montana
Oct. 22, 2019
Hiding in Plain Sight: Tracking the Long-billed Curlew
Long-billed curlew are shorebirds that spend their summers breeding in the grasslands of Montana. Smithsonian ecologists are equipping them with GPS trackers to learn more about their movements.
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Oct. 18, 2019
Giant Panda Bei Bei Moving to China Before the End of the Year
Giant panda Bei Bei will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Tuesday, Nov. 19. 
sloth
Oct. 18, 2019
Why are Sloths So Slow? And Other Sloth Facts
Can sloth swim? What do they eat? And why are they so slow? Impress your friends and ace your next online quiz with these fun facts about sloths to celebrate International Sloth Day on Oct. 20.
giant panda bei bei holds a stick of bamboo and prepares to take a bite
Oct. 18, 2019
Bei Bei’s Departure FAQs
Get the answers to frequently asked questions about giant panda Bei Bei's departure from the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
American black bear and cub in Washington State.
Oct. 17, 2019
Science Snapshot: Animals on Candid Camera
In September 2019, the Smithsonian scientists launched Snapshot USA, a nationwide camera trap survey effort in the hopes of capturing the first-ever “snapshot” of wildlife across the U.S.
A clouded leopard cub with large paws, rounded ears, a pink nose and tongue, wiry whiskers, and thick, spotted fur rests on a tree branch
Oct. 09, 2019
Why Fall is the Best Time to Go to the Zoo
There’s no better activity for a fall day in D.C. than a trip to the Zoo. Crowds are smaller, days are cooler and changing leaves bring a burst of color to the park.
A keeper holds two 11-pound Aldabra tortoises.
Oct. 09, 2019
Two Young Aldabra Tortoises Move to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The newest residents at Reptile Discovery Center are in no rush to grow up. The two 5-year-old Aldabra tortoises debuted in late September.
A Persian onager colt walking next to his mom while she grazes.
Oct. 04, 2019
Getting to Know the Persian Onager Foals
The end of the summer has been very busy at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, which welcomed two new members to its Persian onager herd.
Japanese giant salamander at the Reptile Discovery Center
Oct. 04, 2019
Featured Creature: Japanese Giant Salamander
In August 2019, Reptile Discovery Center keeper Matt Neff embarked on a trip that took him across the Pacific Ocean to learn about enrichment, husbandry and breeding for the second-largest salamander...
Andean bear Billie Jean
Oct. 04, 2019
Andean Bear Update: Keeping Up with Quito and Billie Jean
Catch up with the Zoo's Andean bears, Billie jean and Quito, with animal keeper Sara Colandrea.
Suspended from a “tree” above the sea floor, these corals are teaching Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Mike Henley whether corals grown in warmer waters fare better than their cold-water counterparts.
Oct. 04, 2019
Testing the Waters: Coral Nurseries and Climate Change
What makes (or breaks) a coral’s ability to survive rising sea temperatures? It’s a puzzling predicament, and scientists are hoping coral nurseries can help crack the code.
A coyote stands between grasses and shrubs at the American Prairie Reserve in Montana
Oct. 04, 2019
Connecting with Coyotes on the Prowl
In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, eastern coyotes join the ranks of top predators, along with black bears and foxes. Still, these clever canines face threats in their native habitat. Using GPS collars...
Lesser kudu Shirley (right) with her grandson, Kushukuru (middle), and daughter, Rogue (left).
Oct. 03, 2019
Lesser Kudu Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a female lesser kudu named Shirley, who died Sept. 28 following complications during the birthing...
A group of camels stands together on soft dirt under a blue, cloudy sky in Kenya
Sep. 24, 2019
Getting Over the Hump: Camel Care in Kenya
Global Health Program researchers co-hosted a camel medicine course for Kenyan livestock veterinarians in March to help improve camel veterinary knowledge, promote wildlife health and lower the risk...
Three Bennett's wallabies eating leaves from a branch placed in their yard.
Sep. 23, 2019
Bennett’s Wallaby Euthanized at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Sydney, a 3-year-old Bennett’s wallaby, died Sept. 20 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
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