Zoo News Archive
Nov. 25, 2016
Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s giant panda cub Bei Bei is stable and recovering following an emergency bowel obstruction surgery to remove a dense, masticated lemon-sized mass of bamboo.
Nov. 23, 2016
Happy Orangutan Caring Week! We’re celebrating the Zoo’s seven orangutans by sharing their stories.
Nov. 21, 2016
Bei Bei is becoming more and more independent from his mother Mei Xiang every day. It is hard to believe, but the time is rapidly approaching when he will live separately from her.
Nov. 21, 2016
The first Przewalski’s (cha-VAL-skee) horse born from artificial insemination moved from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) to the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, N.D., today, Nov. 21. The...
Nov. 14, 2016
On Nov. 7 2016, approximately 800 big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) were confiscated from Chinese traders arrested in Tachileik, Myanmar. Dr. Marc Valitutto of Smithsonian Global Health...
Nov. 10, 2016
The Smithsonian's National Zoo’s senior female gray seal, Selkie, died today. At 43 years old, Selkie was the oldest gray seal living in human care. The lifespan of a wild gray seal is usually 25 or...
Nov. 04, 2016
The Smithsonian National Zoo's new agouti needs a name and we need your help!
Nov. 04, 2016
I traveled to the United Arab Emirates in early October to work on the second release of Scimitar-horned Oryx with our collaborators from the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD).
Nov. 04, 2016
SCBI's Center for Conservation and Sustainability is in Peru's Amarakaeri Communal Reserve recording how life is responding to an area of the forest designated for natural gas exploration....
Oct. 31, 2016
ZooLights, powered by Pepco, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is wilder than ever and a perfect holiday event for families. Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, the festival will run over 35 days...
Oct. 28, 2016
FONZ members enjoy a full week of exclusive perks at ZooLights, from Dec. 3 through Dec. 10, including a set of coupons for tubing, train, and carousel rides. Plus, FREE parking all week!
Oct. 27, 2016
Explore and learn with Friends of the National Zoo this winter through camps and family programs. Remember, FONZ members receive early priority registration and discounts, so don't delay and register...
Oct. 25, 2016
Who doesn't love a winter expedition, especially when there's a little learning involved? Explore and learn with Friends of the National Zoo this winter through camps and birthday parties. Snow...
Oct. 24, 2016
A 23-year-old male Andean bear named Cisco died at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Oct. 24 during an emergency veterinary exam. In the past week, Cisco became less active and began breathing more...
Oct. 20, 2016
Giant panda Bao Bao will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China in late winter, within the first few months of 2017.
Oct. 20, 2016
Read on for some of the most frequently asked questions about Bao Bao's departure.
Oct. 18, 2016
A 21-year-old female sloth bear named Hana was humanely euthanized at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Monday, Oct. 17. In human care, sloth bears typically have a median life expectancy of early-to-...
Oct. 14, 2016
Smithsonian's Global Health Program (SGHP), through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) PREDICT program, aims to strengthen developing countries’ ability to detect, control and...
Oct. 14, 2016
Smithsonian's Global Health Program is a contributor to the partnership between the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and India’s Central Zoo Authority. This collaboration...
Oct. 14, 2016
In Kenya, the Smithsonian Institution maintains a close collaboration with the Mpala Research Center and Ranch (MRC) located in Laikipia County.
Oct. 14, 2016
Our veterinary team visited the giant panda habitat last week for routine checkups on all of the pandas. Of special note in Bei Bei's check-up, the team successfully collected blood and gave him two...
Oct. 14, 2016
When a mysterious disease emerged in Kenyan black and white rhinos, Dr. Kali Holder headed Kenya to examine samples and train technicians in sample processing, hoping to discover clues to the cause...
Oct. 13, 2016
If you want to understand why trees are dying, just ask Kristina Anderson-Teixeira.
Oct. 10, 2016
For many endangered species, their future is only as promising as their genes are diverse. Genetic diversity is key to a population that is self-sustaining and can more effectively fight off disease.
Oct. 10, 2016
What’s a zoo to do when an orangutan has the sniffles? Treatment depends on whether the infection is viral or bacterial, says Priscilla Joyner, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s (SCBI’...
