Zoo News Archive
Jan. 18, 2017
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for “Bye Bye, Bao Bao,” a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bao Bao (BOW-BOW) before she departs for China.
Jan. 12, 2017
Tracking pacific loons from two breeding populations in Alaska.
Jan. 10, 2017
Bei Bei is continuing to recover well from his major surgery, and he started eating small amounts of bamboo again a few weeks ago. He now gets several meals of leaf eater biscuits, sweet potatoes and...
Jan. 06, 2017
How big does a “weeble-wobble” have to be to withstand the strength of six female Asian elephants? Over the fall 2016 semester, students at MICA, the Maryland Institute College of Art, sought to...
Jan. 06, 2017
Calaya is not like the Zoo’s other western lowland gorillas. For months, keepers tried to encourage Calaya to train and participate in enrichment activities to no avail. Then came an “AHA!” moment: ...
Dec. 22, 2016
The first three brown kiwi chicks to hatch from eggs laid and incubated at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) have received names. The male chicks are Hari (hatched May 10), Kaha (...
Dec. 16, 2016
As Bei Bei recovers from surgery, his diet is slowly returning to normal but he still needs to wait until he can eat bamboo. However, he continues to gain weight, and has crossed the 100-pound (45...
Dec. 15, 2016
Ancient DNA testing has proved the Arctic ground squirrel—believed to have been introduced to Alaska’s Chirikof Island in the early 18th century—has actually been part of the island ecosystem for at...
Dec. 14, 2016
With temperatures dropping, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo continues to ensure that all of its animals are healthy and comfortable.
Dec. 13, 2016
Bao Bao is headed to China, and FONZ Members are invited to help give her a warm sendoff. Join FONZ on Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to say Bye Bye to Bao Bao!
Dec. 07, 2016
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and Wilson College have formed a partnership that will provide academic opportunities for Wilson students and help develop future generations of...
Dec. 05, 2016
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is transforming its historic 1928 Bird House into “Experience Migration,” a state-of-the-art exhibition about one of the most...
Nov. 30, 2016
What has the Zoo’s 10-week-old Bornean orangutan, Redd, been up to? His social circle is expanding, says keeper Erin Stromberg, and his personality and curiosity are starting to develop! Get the...
Nov. 29, 2016
You don't need to hibernate this winter—join the cool critters at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for Snow Safari Day Camp! Winter campers explore the lives, habitats, and conservation of animals...
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!
