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Zoo News Archive
Mar. 27, 2011
For more than three decades Dr. JoGayle Howard dedicated her life and work to reproducing endangered species.
Mar. 27, 2011
Smithsonian Scientists Find that, for Birds, the Suburbs May Not Be an Ideal Place to Raise a Family
There comes a time in life for every bird to spread its wings and leave the nest, but for gray catbirds, that might be the beginning of the end.
Mar. 27, 2011
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, animals—and their keepers—at the National Zoological Park’s Small Mammal House got into the holiday spirit.
Mar. 27, 2011
On the heels of spring’s arrival, a wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) chick hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo March 20, the third of its kind in the park’s history.
Mar. 27, 2011
Rainfall can be disruptive.
Mar. 27, 2011
There is no doubt that Smithsonian curators are experts in their field. But how much do people know about the great work they do? Now, the public has a chance to test its knowledge about the National...
Mar. 27, 2011
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park euthanized a female 44-year-old western lowland gorilla, Haloko, today because her declining health compromised her quality of life. Haloko was the Zoo’s...
Mar. 27, 2011
Beginning today, the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park is soliciting help to name its newest anteater—a male born this past winter.
Mar. 01, 2011
Perhaps no bird species in North American elicits a more emotional response from birders and researchers alike than the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater; hereafter: cowbirds).
Feb. 27, 2011
The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a 1-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December and is now in his exhibit.
Feb. 27, 2011
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be featured on the season two premiere of DC Cupcakes, airing Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m.
Feb. 27, 2011
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park’s “Uncle Beazley” is in need of a facelift. The life-size fiberglass triceratops was moved to the Smithsonian’s Office of Exhibits Central in Landover, Md.
Feb. 27, 2011
The National Zoological Park’s youngest brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), Areta (pronounced AH-reh-tah), died in the early morning of Feb. 14. She had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical...
Feb. 27, 2011
The National Zoo’s giant panda mating season began early for the third consecutive year with female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempting to mate Jan. 29.
Feb. 27, 2011
Researching animals in the wild can be challenging, especially if it involves a rare or elusive species like the giant panda or the clouded leopard. To remedy this, scientists rely heavily on...
Feb. 17, 2011
Since 1948, birds have been counted in winter in a 65 acre study plot in Rock Creek Park, a large forested area in Washington, D.C.
Feb. 15, 2011
With more than 20 recognized subspecies, the song sparrow is one of the most variable bird species in North America.
Feb. 01, 2011
By Barbara Watkins, Reptile Discovery Center Keeper at the National Zoo
Feb. 01, 2011
The National Zoo has welcomed a new addition to Asia Trail. Lek, a one-year-old male fishing cat from the Cincinnati Zoo, arrived in December 2010 and is now in his exhibit.
Jan. 27, 2011
Looking for the “wildest” way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank? Attend the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s third annual on Friday, Feb.
Jan. 27, 2011
The tiger reserves of Asia could support more than 10,000 wild tigers—three times the current number—if they are managed as large-scale landscapes that allow for connectivity between core breeding...
Jan. 27, 2011
As President Barack Obama met with President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China this week, another notable U.S./China meeting took place this morning at the Smithsonian’s National...
Jan. 27, 2011
The giant anteater born on Dec. 7 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park is growing quickly and doing well. The male pup, yet to be named, is the third anteater to be born at the Zoo.
Jan. 27, 2011
As the fate of tigers hangs in the balance, conservationists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and partnering organizations in the Global Tiger Initiative are launching a month-...