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Zoo News Archive

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.
Male pygmy slow loris, Pabu, stands with his hind legs on the edge of a wooden box on it's side. Pabu's front legs are on a branch coming up from under the box. There is another, darker and thicker branch below Pabu and in the foreground.
Dec. 05, 2022
New at the Zoo: Pygmy Slow Lorises
In a darkened, red-lit area of the Small Mammal House, two small, nocturnal primates explore their habitats. Naga and Pabu are the first pygmy slow lorises housed at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo...
an infrared view inside an Andean bear cub den where the mother rests on piles of hay. her cubs lay in front of her
Dec. 02, 2022
Andean Bear Cub Cam: Best Moments of the Week #1
Animal care staff are keeping a close watch on mom and babies and wanted to share some of their favorite moments with you! 
On the left, a unidentifiable keeper, wearing a dark grey T-shirt over a light grey long sleeves shirt, holds a 6-week-old male cheetah cub. On the right, an unidentifiable vet wearing blue scrubs and white latex gloves, holds a stethoscope up to the cub.
Nov. 28, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 4: Feast Your Eyes on These 7-week-old Cubs
‘Tis the season for tasty feasts — even for our cheetah cubs! Amani's 7-week-old cubs tried meat for the first time and had their first vet exam. Get the full scoop in this #CheetahCubdate.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats a bamboo shoot on the patio of his exhibit in May 2022.
Nov. 25, 2022
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji Reaches A Big Milestone
Last month, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hit a big milestone—he successfully participated in an awake blood draw! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson. 
Andean bear Brienne holds her two cubs as she reclines in her nest.
Nov. 23, 2022
Andean Bear Cubs Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
After an eight-year hiatus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is celebrating the birth of two Andean bears. The cubs were born Nov. 15 to first-time parents, 3-year-...
The entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Zoolights event with trees lit up in red, green, yellow and blue and a lit sign that says "Zoolights"
Nov. 16, 2022
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Returns Nov. 25
Washington D.C.’s beloved free, family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, powered by Pepco, returns to brighten the season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute....
The darker-furred cheetah cub (1 month old) lays in a plastic blue bin. He is looking up with his mouth open, showing a few small teeth coming in.
Nov. 09, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 3: Ready, Set, Play!
Amani’s two male cubs are one month old, ready to play and are back making appearances on the Cheetah Cub Cam! Read on to find out just how mobile these cubs are and don't miss two adorable videos of...
Asian elephants Trong Nhi (left) and Nhi Linh (right) at Rotterdam Zoo.
Nov. 07, 2022
Two Female Asian Elephants Welcomed to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh, to...
Two female American bison stand in a snow covered yard.
Nov. 04, 2022
How to Care for American Bison
National Bison Day is the first Saturday in November and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has a big reason to celebrate these iconic animals! Wallow in the autumn...
Oct. 28, 2022
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Bird Expert Testimony on Migratory Local Wildlife Protection Act of 2022
Read curator of birds, Sara Hallager's testimony on Bill 24-710 before the Washington, D.C., City Council.
Two 3-week-old cheetah cubs cuddle next to each other next to some tall grasses in their yard. There is hay and grass laying over the dirt under them. One cub is laying parallel to the camera and the other is laying behind him, facing the camera.
Oct. 28, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 2: Spotted in the Tall Grass
Amani may have moved her cubs off cam, but keepers are pleased to report the family is doing great! Read on to find out what our cheetah family in Front Royal, Virginia, has been up to in this #...
Zoo entrance with icon banners.
Oct. 27, 2022
Response to Cyclists' Request to Extend Zoo Bike Trail Hours
A response from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute regarding the hours of the bike path on its property. 
Two ring-tailed lemurs with thick fur, yellow eyes, and ringed tails sit close together on a small wooden deck
Oct. 24, 2022
Meet the Zoo’s Lemurs
Big bright eyes, bounding leaps and vivacious vocalizations—there’s no denying that lemurs are downright adorable! Every October, we celebrate World Lemur Day to raise awareness of these endangered...
A medium-sized, black-furred gibbon, called a siamang, perched on a log with one hand raised above its head
Oct. 24, 2022
Swing Into World Gibbon Day
Swing into World Gibbon Day with an animal that knows a thing or two about swinging: siamangs! Learn more about siamangs from primate keeper Carly Hornberger.
A close-up portrait of female siamang Adi.
Oct. 21, 2022
A Day in the Life of Siamangs Adi and Guntur
Meet Adi and Guntur, our two new siamangs at Gibbon Ridge! Over the past year, it has been really fun getting to know their personality quirks and watching their bond with each other grow. Let’s...
African lion Luke in his outdoor habitat at the Great Cats exhibit.
Oct. 21, 2022
African Lion Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old. 
Two 5-day-old cheetah cubs lay in a den. The floor of the den is covered in den. The one cub is laying further back but has its mouth open toward its sibling and the camera. The other cub is facing the right, its mouth slightly open.
Oct. 14, 2022
#CheetahCubdate 1: The First Squeak Peek
Over the past week, cheetah fans and keepers have watched the two newborn cubs and their mother snuggle and bond on the Cheetah Cub Cam. Keepers are happy to report this new family is doing great and...
Fennec fox Daisy is laying down atop a pile of sand in her Small Mammal House habitat. Her head is raised, and she is looking at the viewer.
Oct. 13, 2022
Fennec Fox Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
We are sad to share that Daisy, our 13-year-old fennec fox, died Oct. 6.
A small, blue and yellow bird, called a Kirtland's warbler, held in a researcher's hand
Oct. 12, 2022
2022 U.S. State of the Birds Report Reveals Widespread Losses of Birds in All Habitats–Except for One
A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. 
Momma cat with two itty bitty kitties in a straw-floored grotto
Oct. 06, 2022
Cheetah Cubs Are Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. They appear...
Male red-colored eastern screech owl, Canyon, perchs on a twine rope.
Sep. 30, 2022
How to Care for Owls
Four new sets of owl eyes have joined the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute family this year in Washington, D.C. Give a hoot for Bird House keeper Heather Anderson and...
two swift fox cubs sit in tall green grasses on the prairie
Sep. 28, 2022
Tribes Successful with Swift Fox Reintroduction Program at Fort Belknap
The Fort Belknap Indian Community commemorated three years of its swift fox recovery program with the release of three swift foxes on Tribal lands, bringing the total to 103 recovered back to these...
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