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Zoo News Archive

sloth
Oct. 18, 2019
Why are Sloths So Slow? And Other Sloth Facts
Can sloth swim? What do they eat? And why are they so slow? Impress your friends and ace your next online quiz with these fun facts about sloths to celebrate International Sloth Day on Oct. 20.
giant panda bei bei holds a stick of bamboo and prepares to take a bite
Oct. 18, 2019
Bei Bei’s Departure FAQs
Get the answers to frequently asked questions about giant panda Bei Bei's departure from the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
American black bear and cub in Washington State.
Oct. 17, 2019
Science Snapshot: Animals on Candid Camera
In September 2019, the Smithsonian scientists launched Snapshot USA, a nationwide camera trap survey effort in the hopes of capturing the first-ever “snapshot” of wildlife across the U.S.
A clouded leopard cub with large paws, rounded ears, a pink nose and tongue, wiry whiskers, and thick, spotted fur rests on a tree branch
Oct. 09, 2019
Why Fall is the Best Time to Go to the Zoo
There’s no better activity for a fall day in D.C. than a trip to the Zoo. Crowds are smaller, days are cooler and changing leaves bring a burst of color to the park.
A keeper holds two 11-pound Aldabra tortoises.
Oct. 09, 2019
Two Young Aldabra Tortoises Move to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The newest residents at Reptile Discovery Center are in no rush to grow up. The two 5-year-old Aldabra tortoises debuted in late September.
A Persian onager colt walking next to his mom while she grazes.
Oct. 04, 2019
Getting to Know the Persian Onager Foals
The end of the summer has been very busy at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, which welcomed two new members to its Persian onager herd.
Japanese giant salamander at the Reptile Discovery Center
Oct. 04, 2019
Featured Creature: Japanese Giant Salamander
In August 2019, Reptile Discovery Center keeper Matt Neff embarked on a trip that took him across the Pacific Ocean to learn about enrichment, husbandry and breeding for the second-largest salamander...
Andean bear Billie Jean
Oct. 04, 2019
Andean Bear Update: Keeping Up with Quito and Billie Jean
Catch up with the Zoo's Andean bears, Billie jean and Quito, with animal keeper Sara Colandrea.
Suspended from a “tree” above the sea floor, these corals are teaching Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Mike Henley whether corals grown in warmer waters fare better than their cold-water counterparts.
Oct. 04, 2019
Testing the Waters: Coral Nurseries and Climate Change
What makes (or breaks) a coral’s ability to survive rising sea temperatures? It’s a puzzling predicament, and scientists are hoping coral nurseries can help crack the code.
A coyote stands between grasses and shrubs at the American Prairie Reserve in Montana
Oct. 04, 2019
Connecting with Coyotes on the Prowl
In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, eastern coyotes join the ranks of top predators, along with black bears and foxes. Still, these clever canines face threats in their native habitat. Using GPS collars...
Lesser kudu Shirley (right) with her grandson, Kushukuru (middle), and daughter, Rogue (left).
Oct. 03, 2019
Lesser Kudu Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a female lesser kudu named Shirley, who died Sept. 28 following complications during the birthing...
A group of camels stands together on soft dirt under a blue, cloudy sky in Kenya
Sep. 24, 2019
Getting Over the Hump: Camel Care in Kenya
Global Health Program researchers co-hosted a camel medicine course for Kenyan livestock veterinarians in March to help improve camel veterinary knowledge, promote wildlife health and lower the risk...
Three Bennett's wallabies eating leaves from a branch placed in their yard.
Sep. 23, 2019
Bennett’s Wallaby Euthanized at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Sydney, a 3-year-old Bennett’s wallaby, died Sept. 20 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Adult Egyptian vulture with a yellow face and light brown plumage on its head and neck.
Sep. 20, 2019
Largest Study of Egyptian Vultures Reveals Great Variation in Migration Routes and Overwintering Locations
Smithsonian scientists tracked Egyptian vultures through 44 countries across 70% of their range. They learned that vultures traveling from Western Europe had shorter, more direct routes to wintering...
1.5-year-old western lowland gorilla Moke sits in the Great Ape House yard atop a rock.
Sep. 20, 2019
#GorillaStory: World Gorilla Day
Catch the latest news about our 1.5-year-old western lowland gorilla, Moke, from primate keeper Carolina Powell. 
a line graph showing how birds have decreased by over 2.9 million since 1970
Sep. 19, 2019
New Study Finds U.S. and Canada Have Lost More Than One in Four Birds in the Past 50 Years
Data show that since 1970, the U.S. and Canada have lost nearly 3 billion birds, a massive reduction in abundance involving hundreds of species, from beloved backyard songbirds to long-distance...
A female black-throated blue warbler with color bands, the unique color band combination allows scientists to recognize individual birds in the field.
Sep. 19, 2019
A Season of the (Warbler) Blues: An Update from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest
Smithsonian researchers have studied black-throated blue warblers at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire for decades. Hear about their latest field season.
A Persian onager foal (left) and its mom (right) bend their heads to eat grass.
Sep. 18, 2019
Our Partners in Onager Conservation
Persian onagers are not just rare in the wild, they are actually rare in zoos as well. 
Profile of dama gazelle Zafirah at the Cheetah Conservation Station.
Sep. 16, 2019
Dama Gazelle Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Zafirah, a female dama gazelle who was humanely euthanized Sept. 12. She was 9 years old.
Orangutan Redd, who turned 3 years old Sept. 12, 2019, swings on a rope at Think Tank.
Sep. 12, 2019
#OrangutanStory: Happy 3rd Birthday, Redd!
As Bornean orangutan Redd turns 3 years old, primate keeper Erin Stromberg reflects on his exciting year. 
Mei Xiang sitting in grass eating bamboo.
Sep. 11, 2019
Giant Panda Mei Xiang Is Not Pregnant
Reproductive scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute have determined that giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) will not give...
A clouded leopard cub with a pink nose and spots that look like clouds.
Sep. 10, 2019
First Ever Clouded Leopard Cubs Debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
For the first time, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to rare clouded leopard cubs. The two cubs are the newest residents on the Zoo’s Asia Trail and will make their public debut Wednesday, Sept...
A clouded leopard cub looking into the camera.
Sep. 09, 2019
Clouded Leopard Cub Media Preview
Two rare clouded leopard cubs will make their media debut on Asia Trail. They are the first cubs to ever live at the Zoo. 
scimitar-horned oryx laying in grass
Sep. 06, 2019
Goats and Gazelles and Oryx, Oh My! How Wildlife Veterinarians Treat (Almost) All Species
For wildlife veterinarians, patients can span hundreds of different species. Find out how zoo veterinarians manage to treat so many different kinds of animals, including those that are endangered and...
An American tree sparrow eating seeds from native, warm-season grasses in Virginia
Sep. 06, 2019
Not All Birds Fly South for the Winter
Researchers in Virginia wanted to learn how common field management practices — like mowing, burning or animal grazing — affect birds that stay for the winter. They turned to local farmers and...
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