News Archive

How do you keep one of the world’s largest land mammals happy? National Zoological Park’s Janine Brown and a team of collaborators have just completed a large-scale study of the what contributes to elephant wellbeing in human care.

Nicknamed the “Happy Elephant Project,” this groundbreaking three...

All four red panda pairs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., successfully bred and had cubs this year. Of the 10 cubs, more born at SCBI than any other year, seven have survived.

The latest pair to have cubs was Shama and Rusty, who are best known to the public...

On Father's Day weekend, Shera's four cubs made their big debut at the Great Cats exhibit! Now, visitors can see the whole pride every day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weather permitting. Animal keeper Rebecca Stites gives us the latest update on the cubs.

The cubs have already passed several

...

The National Zoo's three new female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23)—made their public debut in one of the outdoor yards on Elephant Trails for the first time Monday, June 23. After arriving at the Zoo May 23, the elephants spent 30 days in quarantine per standard procedure...

The National Zoo's three new female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23) — made their public debut in one of the outdoor yards on Elephant Trails for the first time Monday, June 23. After arriving at the Zoo May 23, the elephants spent 30 days in quarantine per standard...

Thank you for expressing your appreciation for the National Zoo's Invertebrate Exhibit and your concern about its closing. We value your feedback and would like to clarify why we have made this very difficult decision.

When the Invertebrate Exhibit opened in 1987, it was a groundbreaking venue. As...

The National Zoo's new three female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23)—will be out of quarantine and will have their public debut outside for the first time Monday, June 23.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo Invertebrate Exhibit, home to dozens of small aquatic and terrestrial species without backbones, will close to the public Sunday, June 22. The last day to visit the Invertebrate Exhibit is Saturday, June 21.

This difficult decision is not a reflection of the...

The four youngest members of the African lion pride at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are making their public debut today at noon at the Great Cats Exhibit. Born March 2 to mother Shera and father Luke, the 14-week-old cubs passed their swim test in May and have received all their vaccinations. They...

The four youngest members of the African lion pride at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are making their public debut today at noon at the Great Cats Exhibit! Born March 2 to mother Shera and father Luke, the 14-week-old cubs passed their swim test in May and have received all their vaccinations. They...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated several births recently. During the past several weeks 31 new residents have been born, many of which were endangered species.

A short-eared elephant shrew was born May 8 at the Zoo's Small Mammal House. The short-eared...

Asian elephants Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23) arrived safely at the Smithsonian's National Zoo at 10:55 a.m. They are on loan from the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and will join the Zoo's herd of four Asian elephants Ambika (66), Shanthi (39), Bozie (38) and Kandula (12)...

When did the elephants leave the Calgary Zoo?

Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 2:30p.m.

 

How do you move an elephant?

Custom-made, 10,000-pound elephant-sized travel crates will keep the females contained and safe while on the move.

 

Calgary Zoo keepers worked slowly and diligently to ensure that...

As part of the Worldwide InstaMeet and the National Zoo's ongoing 125th anniversary celebration, the Zoo invites Instagrammers from across the Washington, D.C., region to help create a digital “weekend in the life of the Zoo” portrait all day Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. Instagrammers should post their photos to Instagram and tag @SmithsonianZoo using the hashtags #ZooMeet and #WWIM9. The Zoo will select images and Instavideos to post and share through its social channels and website.

The Worldwide InstaMeet is a once-a-year event where Instagram community members from all over the world organize meetups in their respective cities and countries. In addition to visiting animals on exhibit across the Zoo, #ZooMeet participants can attend a number of daily programs that range from “Meet a Mammal” to an elephant-training demonstration to a seal feeding.

A map of the Zoo is available here.

The #EndangeredSong campaign continued this evening at the Smithsonian's National Zoo with a free stripped-down concert by Portugal. The Man. It was the first time the band had performed the #EndangeredSong, titled "Sumatran Tiger," for a live audience. The song will become part of their set list...

WHAT: Portgual. The Man will perform a free stripped down concert at the Smithsonian's National Zoo as part of the #EndangeredSong campaign.

WHEN: Monday, May 12
6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
(Please note: The band goes on promptly at 6:30 p.m. Media may arrive at 5:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Band Shell at Lion...

Four African lion cubs took a brisk paddle at the Smithsonian's National Zoo today and passed their swim reliability test. The cubs--three males and one female--were born at the Zoo March 2. All cubs born at the Great Cats exhibit must undergo the swim reliability test and prove that they are ready...

Four African lion cubs took a brisk paddle today and passed their swim reliability test. The cubs—three males and one female—were born at the Zoo March 2. All cubs born at the Great Cats exhibit must undergo the swim reliability test and prove that they are ready to be on exhibit. All four cats were...

Four month-old sloth bear cub, Remi, ventured outside for the very first time this morning with her surrogate bear moms and dad!

She quickly began exploring her outdoor yard with keepers nearby. They were happy to report that she did very well during her first trip outside, climbing and playing, but...