News Archive

For nearly 50 years, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute primatologist Wolfgang Dittus has studied and lived among the toque macaques in Sri Lanka. In our Q & A, he reveals how family relationships, intelligent behavioral strategies and a healthy environment are key to this species’ survival...

As their native habitat continues to shrink, wild cheetahs are facing a drought of genetic diversity. This is in direct contrast with the population of cheetahs in zoos, which is as genetically diverse as it was 30 years ago because of cooperative and strategically managed breeding programs. The...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists are working furiously to beat the bleaching clock and cryopreserve coral. But, they’ve run into a wall: bleaching is causing coral to produce poor-quality sperm and eggs. In turn, less are able to settle or survive the cryopreservation...

For the first time in 32 years, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's American Trail team celebrated the arrival of a sea lion pup, born June 26 to 11-year-old mother Calli. Keepers watched the birth in an off-exhibit area and continue to closely monitor the pup, which appears to be nursing, moving and...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo recently welcomed two new residents to its Cheetah Conservation Station: maned wolves.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) humanely euthanized a 1-year-old female scimitar-horned oryx, after sustaining a severe spinal injury on June 25. The yearling inadvertently separated herself from her herd as they were moving from one pasture to another through a chute. In an...

Tagging nearly 100 gray catbirds across their breeding range in Washington D.C., Atlanta GA, Springfield MA and Fort Collins CO.

The planet's last stronghold of wild cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) is losing genetic diversity at an alarming rate according to a new study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners published June 21 in the journal Biological Conservation. This is in direct contrast with...

Not even pioneering assisted-reproduction techniques can bolster the odds of successful reproduction in bleached coral reefs, according to a new study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the University of Hawaii. The findings, which were published June 17, in Reproduction...

The National Zoo's senior male sloth bear, 25-year-old Francois, was humanely euthanized yesterday. In human care, sloth bears typically have a median life expectancy of early-to-mid 20s. A final pathology report will provide more information in the coming weeks. Animal care staff had kept a close...

For the first time in 25 years, staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are making preparations for the highly anticipated birth of an endangered Bornean orangutan. With a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP), the 19-year-old parents to be...

Virtual visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will now be able to see its herd of six Asian elephants up-close. The Zoo's high-definition elephant cam was previously stationary and only showed the elephants when they walked in view of the cameras in the Elephant Community Center. The upgraded...

A Japanese giant salamander at the Smithsonian's National Zoo died June 6. Keepers had noticed May 25 that the 25-year-old female had been lethargic and was having difficulty maintaining buoyancy, which prompted keepers to notify the Zoo's veterinarians. Despite treatment with antifungal and...

For the first time, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's kiwi pair are parents! Biologist Warren Lynch and keeper Wesley Bailey reveal how a strict diet helped dad Ngati Hine Tahi get in shape and resulted in SCBI's first chick. <a data-cke-saved-href="//www.youtube.com/embed...

Zoo keeping is an ever-evolving science. That's why director Dennis Kelly and associate director of animal care sciences Brandie Smith traveled to India to collaborate, understand, and protect endangered species. This story appears in the June 2016 issue of National Zoo News. Want animal tales...

The Bird House's redhead ducks share their exhibit with some skittish neighbors—flamingos. To monitor the duck's health without disturbing the other birds, keepers have trained them to come inside for a physical (and some treats) on cue. Get the scoop from keeper Gwen Cooper in the latest Keeper Q &...

For the first time, an egg laid by a female brown kiwi at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute hatched on May 10, 2016.

Eight-year-old North American male porcupine Quillby has had some difficulty moving around his exhibit lately. How do we determine what's ailing him? Teamwork! Zoo veterinarian Jessica Siegal-Willott and biologist Leigh Pitsko collaborated with colleagues at the Friendship Hospital for Animals to...

On exhibit for the first time in the Washington, D.C. region, the Smithsonian's National Zoo presents Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea from May 27 through Sept. 5. Made completely of plastic debris collected from beaches, the colorful and dramatic sculptures of marine animals represent the more...

Spring migration banding at the Clive Runnell's Mad Island Marsh Preserve.

Examining a hormone-signaling pathway thought to underlie variation in social behavior and subsequent network structure in a cooperative lek-breeding bird, the wire-tailed manakin.

What: A free public event, "World Oceans Day," will feature ocean-themed animal demonstrations, games, crafts, and "Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea" exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. When: Saturday, June 11, 2016 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave. N...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's red panda habitat on Asia Trail reopened to the public Tuesday, May 10. Tusa (male) and Asa (female) explored their new home which has a brand new "retreat." The retreat includes four indoor enclosures complete with air-conditioning and heating. The retreat has a...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is mourning the loss of a 6-year-old female maned wolf named Uno, who died May 7. A final pathology report will provide more information, but her health had been in decline for several months due to liver and bowel disease. Despite treatment, Uno...

The maned wolf pups born Jan. 5 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are growing! Animal Care curator Paul Marinari and research biologist Nucharin Songsassen give us the scoop in the latest SCBI Q & A. This story appears in the May 2016 issue of National Zoo News. Want animal tales...