News Archive

David M. Rubenstein has pledged a second $4.5 million gift to support our giant panda conservation and research program through the end of 2020. As a result, our scientists will be able to continue all the research they do related to giant pandas and the other species that share their habitat....

David M. Rubenstein has pledged a second $4.5 million gift to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, funding its giant panda research and conservation program through the end of 2020. The gift will support conservation efforts in China, research on giant panda...

Our cub is starting to look like a little giant panda! His black markings have come in, and his back saddle looks just like his dad's, Tian Tian. Keepers have also seen him sleeping with his paw over his eye—which is something both Tian Tian and his big sister Bao Bao do—even though his eyes won't...

Obsessed with the panda cams? Put your totally healthy fascination to good use and help write the newest chapter of our #PandaStory. Thanks to the panda cams sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, we're able to share a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of a panda cub's life in the den with...

Mei Xiang left her den Saturday afternoon to eat and drink. She ate more bamboo than during her previous excursions away from the den, which is normal. Keepers expect Mei Xiang to gradually spend more time away from the den eating and drinking as the cub grows. While Mei Xiang was eating...

Mei Xiang left her den for a few minutes Wednesday afternoon giving our veterinarians an opportunity to do a quick cub health check to ensure that he is growing and healthy. They listened to his heart and lungs, palpated his abdomen and checked that he was able to move his forelimbs and hindlimbs...

Mei Xiang decided to eat some sugarcane and drink dilute apple juice the keepers left for her yesterday evening around 6 p.m. Two hours later, she left the den to urinate and defecate—only the second time she's done that since giving birth. She put the cub down when she left the den and he was very...

By Lauren Augustine Our baby Cuban crocodiles are one month old! They are feisty little additions to the Reptile Discovery Center. They eat a variety of food items, because a nutritionally balanced diet is essential for the long term health of our hatchlings. This the most susceptible stage of their...

Aug. 29—Mei Xiang ate for the first time since giving birth. Keepers left sugarcane in her den for her, which she chose to eat around 1 p.m. She put her cub down for a few minutes while eating, giving panda cam viewers an excellent view of him. His black markings have started coming in around his...

Our panda cub has been visible on the panda cams several times since yesterday. Keepers left some sugarcane for Mei Xiang in her den yesterday afternoon, and around 1 p.m. she decided to eat some! That is the first time she has eaten since giving birth. She put her cub down for a few minutes while...

Mei Xiang and her cub did well overnight! The cub is nursing, and Mei is taking excellent care of him. She did not leave the den last night, but keepers are offering her water and juice to keep her hydrated. She has not shown any interest in eating yet, but that is normal for a new panda mom.

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 22 at the National Zoo is male. A paternity analysis showed that Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists also confirmed the...

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 22 at the National Zoo is male. A paternity analysis showed that Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists also confirmed the...

Overnight it was evident to panda keepers and veterinarians that our healthy panda cub was active and nursing appropriately throughout the night. Mei is showing proper maternal care which includes short sleep cycles, adjusting the tiny cub in her arms for better positioning and grooming. The staff...

Overnight, it was evident to panda keepers and veterinarians that our healthy panda cub was active and nursing appropriately throughout the night. Mother Mei Xiang is showing proper maternal care which includes short sleep cycles and adjusting the tiny cub in her arms for better positioning and...

WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will announce the gender and paternity of the giant panda cubs born at the Zoo Aug. 22. The smaller of the two cubs died Aug. 26. Initial necropsy findings for the deceased cub will be shared. WHEN:9 a.m. WHERE:The entrance to...

The smaller of the two giant panda cubs born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 22, died shortly after 2 p.m. today, Aug. 26. The panda team rotated both cubs in the past 24 hours allowing each to benefit from spending time with their mother, Mei Xiang. The smaller cub was with Mei Xiang from...

Very exciting news! All five Cuban crocodile eggs hatched! Our first croc egg pipped on July 29. That means the hatchling began to break through the egg shell with a modified tooth called an egg tooth. Today the baby has fully emerged and looks great! Very Feisty! This egg was incubated in a...

The smaller of the two giant panda cubs born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 22, died shortly after 2 p.m. today, Aug. 26. The panda team rotated both cubs in the past 24 hours allowing each to benefit from spending time with their mother, Mei Xiang. The smaller cub was with Mei Xiang from...

WHAT:The smaller giant panda cub died this afternoon shortly after 2 p.m. More information will be provided at a press conference. The larger cub appears to be strong, robust, behaving normally and is with mother Mei Xiang. WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 4 p.m. WHERE:Panda Plaza, 3001 Connecticut Avenue...

Mei Xiang has not been a willing participant in the panda team's efforts to switch the cubs since 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon. She has the larger cub in her possession. The panda team is caring for the smaller cub and will continue efforts to swap the cubs about every four hours. However, because the...

Mei Xiang has not been a willing participant in the panda team's efforts to switch the cubs since 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon. She has the larger cub in her possession. The panda team is caring for the smaller cub and will continue efforts to swap the cubs about every four hours. However, because the...

Our panda cubs are doing well but the panda team had a challenging night. When they tried to swap the cubs at 11p.m., Mei Xiang would not set down the cub she had in her possession. Consequently, the panda team cared for the smaller cub throughout the night until 7:05 a.m. when they successfully...