News Archive

Walking through the forests of Guam the sound is arresting, because it’s silent. But the loud whistle of the Guam rail is returning to the forests of nearby islands, nearly 40 years after the bird was declared extinct in the wild,

As the Smithsonian’s National Zoo rang in the new year, the elephant team celebrated another revolution around the sun for (now) 45-year-old female Asian elephant, Shanthi.

An update from Andean bear keeper Sara Colandrea on the latest happenings with Billie Jean and Quito. 

Swing into the new year with an animal that knows a thing or two about swinging: gibbons! Get to know Sydney, Ronnie and Bradley from primate keeper Carly Hornberger.

What’s that rustle in the trees behind Reptile Discovery Center? Look up, or you may miss the Zoo’s stealthy male crocodile monitor hiding among the branches. Get the scoop on this cool cold-blooded giant.

As 2019 comes to a close, we’re continuing to reflect on some of this year’s biggest conservation success stories.

As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on some of our biggest conservation success stories of 2019.

In October, Global Health Program veterinary fellows participated in the annual Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign in Laikipia County, Kenya, which aims to eradicate (or completely eliminate) the virus from the region.

The Small Mammal House has a new resident worth slowing down for: Athena, a 1½-year-old female two-toed sloth.

As a research assistant for the nutrition laboratory, Jenna Pastel wears a snowsuit year-round. That’s because she spends a lot of time in a -20 degree Fahrenheit walk-in freezer located in the Zoo’s science building.

Are you a milk maven? Play "Guess That Milk" and try to match these milk samples with the animals they came from.

An update on Asian elephant Shanthi's osteoarthritis. 

On Oct. 15, the Zoo welcomed a bouncing baby to its lesser kudu family! This past week, he joined his mom and brother on exhibit for the first time.

Meet Fleck and Poe, a pair of emperor tamarin brothers who recently made their debut in Amazonia’s rainforest habitat! Get to know these mischievous monkeys from animal keeper Denny Charlton.

An update from Zoo director Steve Monfort regarding plans to implement additional security measures doing ZooLights. 

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have preserved complex ovarian tissues in domestic cats above freezing temperatures by dehydrating them with the help of microwaves.

An update from Zoo Director Steve Monfort regarding ZooLights security. 

In August, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's animal welfare and research manager Betsy Herrelko, Ph.D., moderated a panel at the 2019 Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Bei Bei is settling in at his new home in China at the Bifengxia panda base. He did very well on the FedEx Panda Express and spent most of the 16-hour trip eating and sleeping.

Flip the switch event to officially open ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the annual free lights festival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.  

Bei Bei the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China on Nov. 19, 2019.

ZooLights—powered by Pepco—is bigger, brighter and better than ever this season. Visitors can join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in celebrating the holidays with its annual free lights festival. The Zoo will be illuminated for 31 nights—from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1, 2020 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31)...

“Bye Bye, Bei Bei” (BAY-BAY,) a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he departs for China.

Giant panda Bei Bei knows how to work his angles! Check out some of our favorite snaps of this remarkably photogenic bear from the past four years.

There is a prickle of excitement at Small Mammal House where keepers discovered that Beatrix, a 2-year-old prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette.