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Press Releases

Cheetah mother Echo with five cubs born Sept. 12, 2023
Sep. 21, 2023
Litter of Five Cheetah Cubs Are Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating a litter of five cheetah cubs born to 8-year-old adult female... read press release
Sep. 18, 2023
Media Advisory: Giant Pandas Celebrate Panda Palooza Beginning September 23
Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to beloved giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji in celebration of Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell event. ... read press release
A porcupine with an overlaid Halloween-style pig mask appears next to the words "Boo at the Zoo".
Sep. 11, 2023
Boo at the Zoo Returns Oct. 20, 21 and 22
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, is back! The Zoo will be brimming with festive displays and spook-tacular trick-or-treating for this... read press release
Female giant panda Mei Xiang stands in a grassy, mulch-covered area
Sep. 06, 2023
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Hosts Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell, Sept. 23 to Oct. 1
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will celebrate its three giant pandas before the bears depart for China later this year. Visitors are invited to join the... read press release
Aug. 29, 2023
Zoo Evacuation Aug. 29
The Zoo was temporarily closed due to a bomb threat on Tuesday, Aug. 29.  read press release
Aug. 27, 2023
Giant Panda Tian Tian Celebrates Birthday
Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Tian Tian’s 26th birthday with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake. read press release
An underwater photo of a bleached coral next to a healthy coral. The healthy coral is vibrant and colorful, while the bleached coral is a stark white.
Aug. 23, 2023
New Technique Could Facilitate Rapid Cryopreservation of All Coral Species
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) researchers have achieved a breakthrough in the fight to save the world’s coral reefs from climate change annihilation.... read press release
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji approaches his third birthday cake.
Aug. 21, 2023
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji Celebrates Third Birthday
This morning, Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Xiao Qi Ji’s third birthday at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. ... read press release
Aug. 14, 2023
Media Advisory: Miracle Cub Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji's Birthday Celebration on Aug. 21
The Smithsonian's National Zoo will celebrate "miracle cub" Xiao Qi Ji's 3rd birthday on Monday, Aug. 21.... read press release
Giant panda Mei Xiang celebrates her 25th birthday with a fruitsicle cake.
Jul. 22, 2023
Giant Panda Celebrates Birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Asia Trail keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., celebrated giant panda Mei Xiang’s 25th birthday.... read press release
Addax Terri rests beside a fence at the Africa Trail exhibit.
Jun. 15, 2023
Addax Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is mourning the loss of a 2-year-old female addax named Terri who died June 12.... read press release
After five days of public voting and just under 24,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.
Jun. 09, 2023
Her Name Is Zahra
After five days of public voting and just under 25,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili. read... read press release
Caravan of camels moving across the edge of the Chalbi Desert in Marsabit County, Kenya.
Jun. 06, 2023
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and Kenyan Partners Awarded $5 Million Grant To Prevent Emerging Diseases in Northern Kenya
 The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI)’s Global Health Program and partners including the International Livestock Research Institute, Government of Kenya Zoonotic... read press release
Western lowland gorilla infant cradled in her mother's arms. She is looking up at the viewer with her mouth open, appearing to be smiling.
Jun. 05, 2023
The Public Can Help Name a Baby Western Lowland Gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Starting today, June 5, western lowland gorilla fans will have an opportunity to vote on a name for a baby gorilla born May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.... read press release
Female black-footed ferret Hickory in a nest box nursing her kits at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.
Jun. 02, 2023
Watch Black-Footed Ferret Mom Hickory and Her New Kits on Public Webcam
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia welcomed a litter of endangered black-footed ferrets last week. One-year-old... read press release
Newborn gorilla cradled by mother Calaya, a 20-year-old female western lowland gorilla. She gave birth to her second offspring May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
May. 28, 2023
Western Lowland Gorilla Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
For the first time in five years, primate staff are celebrating the birth of a western lowland gorilla—a critically endangered species. It was born between midnight and 6:15 a.m. May 27 to mother... read press release
Three meerkat pups were born to mother Sadie and father Frankie May 10, 2023.
May. 24, 2023
Meerkats Are Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
For the first time in 16 years, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., is celebrating the birth of three meerkats. ... read press release
Researcher holds a radio-tagged Kirtland’s Warbler, a yellow and gray songbird, just before releasing it in The Bahamas.
May. 01, 2023
Night Flight: Tracking Data Reveal When and Why Songbirds Begin Their Massive Journeys and How They Decide to Leave
Every spring and fall billions of birds fly thousands of miles to reach their breeding and wintering grounds, yet some of the most basic details of these astonishing avian pilgrimages remain murky.... read press release
Andean bear mother Brienne and her 4-month-old cub explore their outdoor habitat on March 22, 2023.
Mar. 27, 2023
Andean Bear Cub Brothers Now on View Outdoors at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Just in time for spring break, two male Andean bear cubs named Sean and Ian are now on view. read press release
Mar. 24, 2023
Media Advisory: Andean Bear Cub Brothers Now on View
Two male Andean bear cubs make their outdoor debut March 27, 2023. read press release