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Zoo News Archive

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats bamboo in his outdoor habitat.
Mar. 01, 2023
#PandaStory: Ready For Independence
Xiao QI Ji is stepping out on his own! Our 2.5-year-old giant panda has been playing, eating and sleeping by himself lately—behaviors that indicate he’s ready for independence. 
An Andean bear cub stands on a table, being supported up and held by a keeper wearing a beige sweater and black thick glove. A vet, wearing a navy blue jacket and blue latex gloves, measures the cub's face with a white measuring tape. They are indoors.
Mar. 01, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Update: The Cubs’ First Vet Exam
Just before the Andean bear cubs turned three months old, it was time for their beary first veterinary exam. Read on to find out how the exam went from animal keeper Sara Colandrea.
Two ducks bob along the water's surface at the Prairie Pothole aviary at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Bird House exhibit.
Mar. 01, 2023
6 Fascinating Facts About the National Zoo’s New Bird Exhibit
If you haven’t yet heard—or perhaps a little bird told you already—the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Bird House exhibit has once again opened its doors to the public...
A flock of five Ruddy ducks swim in an indoor pond. Two of the ruddy ducks are male and three are female. The water is very clear.There are two branches going across the pond.
Feb. 22, 2023
A Quack-filled Roll Call: Meet the Ducks of the Bird House
On March 13, the newly renovated Bird House’s doors will flap open, welcoming guests with a chorus of chirps, tweets and quacks. Yes, quacks! Get to know the 11 lucky duck species in the Bird House...
Shorebirds in the Bird House Delaware Bay aviary.
Feb. 22, 2023
Bird House Reopens at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, opening Monday, March 13. 
Cheetah Amani crouches over a metal tray with one of her 4-month-old cubs. Amani appears to be sniffing the side of the tray while the cub inspects a bloodsicle on the tray. Amani's other cub is to the right of the tray, eating a small piece of the treat
Feb. 07, 2023
#CheetahCubdate 7: How to Enrich and Train Cheetahs
Our 4-month-old cheetah cubs have had a busy couple of weeks! They played on new furniture in their yard, got a taste of a new treat, and had their last cub veterinary exam. Read on for a playful...
Bird Friendly Cocoa graphic
Feb. 06, 2023
Be a Tweetheart: Eat Chocolate and Save Birds
Eating chocolate is now better for birds, humans and the planet. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has expanded its Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program to...
Gray seal Jo-Jo in a pool.
Feb. 03, 2023
New at the Zoo: Meet Our Gray Seal, Jo-Jo
A brave and curious gray seal pup is making a splash on American Trail! Two-year-old female Jo-Jo was rescued from the wild and made her debut at the Zoo in January. Get to know her in this Q+A with...
Asian elephant Nhi Linh is pictured standing next to a cube puzzle feeder.
Feb. 02, 2023
Watch Asian Elephant Nhi Linh Play
Tune in to the ele-FUN! Watch our 9-year-old Asian elephant, Nhi Linh, play with a weeble-wobble enrichment toy.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rolls down the hill in his outdoor habitat on Jan. 19, 2023.
Jan. 26, 2023
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Is On A Roll
The winter winds may blow chilly and cold, but they also bring out the sillies in our giant panda cub. The frisky 2.5-year-old tumbled around his outdoor habitat and showed off his unique somersault...
Andean bear Brienne sits in her den with her two cubs. Brienne is leaning over to clean one cub by her back leg. The other cub stands in front and right of her, taking a wobbly step. The den's floor is covered in hay. This photo is in black and white.
Jan. 25, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Update: First Steps, One Paw at a Time
Watch out! Our 2-month-old Andean bear cubs are on the move. Read on for the full update and to watch a clip of the cubs practicing walking.
Andean bear Brienne and cubs in her den.
Jan. 17, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #3
It may be cold outside, but these bear-y cute snuggles from our Andean Bear Cub Cam are sure to warm you up!
Cheetah mother Amani lays in the tall grass in her yard with her two male cubs. One cubs lays snuggled up next to her on the left and the other sits on the right. All three cheetahs look toward the camera.
Jan. 17, 2023
#CheetahCubdate 6: New Year, New Food and the First Snow
Amani and her 3-month-old cubs are entering the new year with new experiences and a clean bill of health. Read on for the full update from the keepers!
A 1-year-old female bald eagle perches on some branches in an outdoor enclosure. She is leaning forward, looking toward the camera.
Jan. 13, 2023
New at the Zoo: Bald Eagle Acadia
The new gal in town is inquisitive, a foodie and has a knack for shredding paper. Meet Acadia, a 2-year-old female bald eagle in this Q+A with American trail keepers Ashley Graham and Sam Milne!
Pedestrian entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Connecticut Ave.
Jan. 11, 2023
Reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Entry Pass Inquiry
A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry.
Clouded leopard in a tree.
Jan. 06, 2023
How to Care for Clouded Leopards
Meet the four clouded leopards who call the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute home. Pounce from Washington D.C. with Asia Trail keepers Kaitlyn Adkins and Jenny Spotten, to...
Asian elephants Trong Nhi (left) and Nhi Linh (right) explore their outdoor habitat at Elephant Trails.
Jan. 06, 2023
Meet Our Asian Elephant Mother-Daughter Duo
Let’s get ready to rumble, trumpet and stomp! Ever since Asian elephants Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh made their debut at the Elephant Trails habitat, they have been busy building relationships with their...
Striped skunk Sauerkraut
Jan. 06, 2023
New at the Zoo: Meet Our Skunk Brothers
Their hobbies include eating, snuggling and snoozing. Follow your nose to the Small Mammal House and meet our new striped skunk brothers, Pigpen and Sauerkraut! 
Female Andean Bear Brienne carries one of her male, 6-week-old cubs out of the den into a larger indoor area.
Jan. 05, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Update: Mom Knows Best
Our six-week-old Andean bear cubs’ eyes have opened! While their favorite spot continues to be curled up with mother Brienne, she has also started carrying them out of the den.
A Cuban crocodile sitting in shallow water
Dec. 22, 2022
Cuban Crocodile Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji snacks on a piece of sugar cane outside the Panda House.
Dec. 20, 2022
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Explores His New Habitat
Recently, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji has been exploring his new habitat with his mother, Mei Xiang, by his side. Get the latest update from keeper Mariel Lally. 
Two 9-week-old male cheetah cubs sit in their den on hay. The cub on the right appears to be hissing at the camera.
Dec. 14, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 5: A Jolly (Ball) Time
It’s been a jolly time for Amani and her two cubs over the last couple weeks! The family received some new enrichment and the cubs had their 9-week exam. Read on for the full Cheetah Cubdate from...
Two female Asian elephants standing next to each other.
Dec. 13, 2022
New Mother and Daughter Asian Elephants On View at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Two new female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi (trong-nEE) and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh (nEE-lin), are now on public view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology...
Two 3 week old Andean bear cubs sleep on some hay. One cub "spoons" its sibling.
Dec. 13, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Update: The Beary First Look
Brienne’s cubs are one month old on Thursday, Dec. 15. Since their birth, keepers have primarily watched mom and cubs from the Andean Bear Cub Cam. Last week, animal keeper Sara Colandrea was able to...
An infrared camera screen shot of a mother Andean bear with two small cubs laying in hay
Dec. 09, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #2
Snuggle in! It's time for an Andean Bear Cub Cam moment with our 3-week-old cubs.
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