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Press Releases

Jan. 11, 2023
Reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Entry Pass Inquiry
A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry. read press release
The front torso of a Cuban crocodile sitting in shallow water
Dec. 22, 2022
Cuban Crocodile Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.... read press release
Two Asian female elephants.
Dec. 13, 2022
New Mother and Daughter Asian Elephants On View at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Two new female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi (trong-nEE) and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh (nEE-lin), are now on public view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology... read press release
Andean bear Brienne cradles her two cubs in a nest.
Nov. 23, 2022
Andean Bear Cubs Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
After an eight-year hiatus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is celebrating the birth of two Andean bears. The cubs were born Nov. 15 to first-time parents, 3-year-... read press release
People walk down Olmstead Walk at night with trees wrapped in various colored lights along the right and hedges wrapped in green lights on the left.
Nov. 16, 2022
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Returns Nov. 25
Washington D.C.’s beloved free, family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, powered by Pepco, returns to brighten the season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.... read press release
Asian elephants Trong Nhi and Nhi Linn at Rotterdam Zoo.
Nov. 07, 2022
Two Female Asian Elephants Welcomed to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh, to... read press release
Oct. 28, 2022
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Bird Expert Testimony on Migratory Local Wildlife Protection Act of 2022
Read curator of birds, Sara Hallager's testimony on Bill 24-710 before the Washington, D.C., City Council.... read press release
African lion Luke gazes up at the snow.
Oct. 21, 2022
African Lion Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old. ... read press release
A female Kirtland's warbler songbird perched on the branch of a jack pine tree
Oct. 12, 2022
2022 U.S. State of the Birds Report Reveals Widespread Losses of Birds in All Habitats–Except for One
A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. ... read press release
Animal care staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs to first-time mother Amani overnight Oct. 3.
Oct. 06, 2022
Cheetah Cubs Are Born at Front Royal Campus, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. They appear... read press release
Two swift fox cubs sit in tall grasses of the American Prairie
Sep. 28, 2022
Tribes Successful with Swift Fox Reintroduction Program at Fort Belknap
The Fort Belknap Indian Community commemorated three years of its swift fox recovery program with the release of three swift foxes on Tribal lands, bringing the total to 103 recovered back to these... read press release
A female lion walks through green grass
Sep. 27, 2022
Lion Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are grieving the loss of Nababiep, a female African lion affectionately called Naba, who was humanely euthanized Sept. 26.... read press release
Sea lion Calli sits on the rockwork of her habitat. There is a pool behind her.
Sep. 15, 2022
Sea Lion Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Staff are mourning the loss of Calli, a 17-year-old female California sea lion, who died Sept. 7. read press... read press release
The intro screen for the Bird Migration Explorer shows a map of North America with buttons and toggle states
Sep. 15, 2022
First-of-its-Kind Digital Platform Reveals Migration Data for Birds Across the Western Hemisphere Just in Time for Fall Migration
The Bird Migration Explorer, a state-of-the-art digital platform, allows users to see the most complete data collected on migratory species in their neighborhoods and where those birds go throughout... read press release
Orange spider web projection on outdoors of Reptile Discovery Center.
Sep. 14, 2022
Boo at the Zoo Is Back Oct. 28, 29 and 30 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Not a trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, the beloved family-friendly Halloween event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, sponsored by Mars Wrigley... read press release
A female blue-billed curassow chick named Aluna hatched Aug. 5, 2022 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Aug. 29, 2022
Two Critically Endangered Blue-Billed Curassows Hatch at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
For the first time, Bird House keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered blue-billed curassows. ... read press release
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji approaches an ice cake with a giant red 2 in front and bamboo coming out the back. The cake is sitting in the outdoor yard on a rock formation. Xiao Qi Ji's nose is inches away from the cake. There are decorated boxes behind him
Aug. 21, 2022
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji Celebrates Second Birthday at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s second birthday.... read press release
Aug. 16, 2022
Media Advisory: Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji’s Second Birthday Celebration Aug. 21
The Zoo’s giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will celebrate his second birthday Aug. 21 with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.... read press release
A tree sports a metal dendrometer band, which scientists use to measure tree growth.
Aug. 10, 2022
New Research Reveals Forest Mitigation of Climate Change Is Overestimated
In recent decades, global forest tree growth has dramatically slowed the pace of atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation and climate change. ... read press release
Brew at the Zoo logo combines the images of an African lion and a hops in an orange/red obmre.
Aug. 02, 2022
Brew at the Zoo Returns Sept. 8 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., raise your glass for conservation and enjoy unlimited tastings from more than 45 breweries and cideries. ... read press release