News Archive

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 illness. A full postmortem examination was conducted, and a final pathology report may provide more...

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. Mei Xiang continues her January ovulation pattern that started in 2009; historically her estrus occurred in March...

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 camera traps—automated cameras with motion sensors. Left to photograph what passes in front of them, the...

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.

With more than 20 recognized subspecies, the song sparrow is one of the most variable bird species in North America.

By Barbara Watkins, Reptile Discovery Center Keeper at the National Zoo After an arduous nine years working to acquire Japanese giant salamanders, the National Zoo welcomed a group to our collection at the Reptile Discovery Center in December 2009. As our team stood waiting for the cargo at Dulles...

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. Lek is set to breed with six-year-old Electra, the Zoo's only female fishing cat, who for now is in the enclosure next to him...

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 sites, according to a new paper from scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and...

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 Zoological Park. Dennis Kelly, director of the National Zoo, and Zang Chunlin, secretary general of the China...

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. The pup and parents are not likely to be on exhibit until warmer temperatures arrive in spring, but those...

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-long course in Thailand aimed at teaching wildlife officers, field managers, and researchers from tiger...

An elderly female bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) named Sam was euthanized Friday, Dec. 31, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The bird was found lying in her exhibit Dec. 28 and was transported to the Zoo’s veterinary hospital for treatment. Although the eagle initially responded...

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. 11 for an opportunity to learn about animal mating, dating and reproductive habits in an honest and humorous forum. This extraordinary evening...

The two cheetah cubs born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in December received their first vaccinations yesterday. At about 8 weeks and 6 weeks old, both cubs appear to be healthy, Zoo veterinarians said after completing the cubs’ health exam. “We were encouraged by the exam...

Many years of research are celebrated in the birth of two cheetah cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute—the first cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus) born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park facility in Front Royal, Va. The cubs were born to two separate females; the first to 5...

Seven lion cubs born at the National Zoo are now sporting seven names. Just before the cubs made their debut in the lion yard this morning, the Zoo announced their names: John, Fahari, Zuri, Lelie, Baruti, Aslan, and Lusaka. “We were touched to receive so many thoughtful name suggestions for the...

WhatPress conference for lion cub debut and revealing of names ( press credentials required) When Saturday, Dec. 1811:50 a.m. (arrive at exhibit no later than 11:45 a.m.) Where National Zoo Great Cats ExhibitLion/Tiger Hill3001 Connecticut Avenue N.W.(Park in Parking Lot D at the bottom of the Zoo)...

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo asks that you keep the furry and non-furry animals in mind. Zoo keepers have created a “wish list” for all of your favorite animals. Each special item will provide enrichment opportunities, exercise, variety to their day and...

Animal keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo have selected six finalists from the Name the Lion: Cub Cam Contest, and voting on the finalists has begun. Through this contest, U.S. residents had a chance to suggest a name for two of the Zoo’s seven lion cubs by submitting a video no longer than...

Today 20th Century Fox and Walden Media presented a monetary gift to support the National Zoo’s great-cat conservation, research and public education. Actors Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes from the new motion picture Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader joined Zoo Director Dennis...

A longtime resident of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, an elderly female Andean bear was euthanized Monday after a decline in her health compromised her quality of life. At 33 years old, Bandit outlived the average Andean bear by nearly a decade. In general, Andean bears live to be 20–25 years old...

The National Zoo’s 27-year-old female Northern white-cheeked gibbon ( Nomascus leucogenys), Siam, died this morning after an aggressive encounter with Mickey, a 25-year-old male gibbon. Keepers separated the pair and immediately brought the injured female to the veterinary hospital, where Zoo...

As frogs around the world continue to disappear—many killed by a rapidly spreading disease called chytridiomycosis, which attacks the skin cells of amphibians—one critically endangered species has received an encouraging boost. Although the La Loma tree frog, Hyloscirtus colymba, is notoriously...

For the past three months, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has delighted animal lovers around the world with its lion cub cam, featuring the Zoo’s seven young African lion cubs. Now it is the viewers’ turn to make a video for the lions—and to help name two of the seven cubs in the process.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s endocrinology laboratory is set to play a vital role in what will be the most comprehensive and collaborative study on elephant welfare in zoos—a project funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services with the Honolulu Zoo serving as...