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Press Releases

A male Asian elephant with tusks stands in a brightly lit barn at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Apr. 24, 2018
Media Advisory: National Zoo Celebrates Male Asian Elephant Public Debut Friday
Asian elephant Spike will receive a celebratory cake as he explores his new habitat in the Elephant Community Center at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.... read press release
Lady Elliot Reef
Apr. 24, 2018
Smithsonian Scientists Partner With a Global Alliance to Sequence DNA From All Complex Life on Earth
Smithsonian scientists are part of an expanding global effort set to tackle what could be the most ambitious project in the history of biology—sequencing the DNA of all eukaryotic species on Earth,... read press release
Western lowland gorilla Moke rests on the chest of his mother Calaya, who is laying on her back
Apr. 16, 2018
Western Lowland Gorilla Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
For the first time in nine years, primate staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the birth of a male western lowland gorilla. ... read press release
A large male Asian elephant with white tusks stands in a brightly lit barn at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Mar. 23, 2018
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Welcomes Male Asian Elephant
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo community is celebrating the arrival of a 36-year-old male Asian elephant named Spike. read press... read press release
An Asian elephant wearing a GPS satellite collar in a forest in Myanmar
Mar. 13, 2018
Smithsonian Scientists Find Elephant-poaching Crisis Emerging in Myanmar
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have found that poaching is an emerging crisis for Asian elephants in Myanmar. They published their findings March 13 in PLOS ONE.... read press release
Prehensile-tailed porcupine
Mar. 08, 2018
Prehensile-tailed Porcupine Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A well-known prehensile-tailed porcupine named Clark died March 7 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Clark had developed intermittent wheezing and a suspected upper-respiratory tract infection... read press release
giant panda mei xiang in her yard
Mar. 01, 2018
Giant Panda Mei Xiang is Artificially Inseminated at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A team of reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute performed an artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang... read press release
Male Hartmann's mountain zebra Raylan.
Feb. 01, 2018
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra Dies at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Hoofstock keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are mourning the loss of Raylan, a 4-year-old male Hartmann’s mountain zebra who was humanely euthanized yesterday.... read press release
A small orange variable harlequin frog, Atelopus varius, sitting on a rock
Jan. 18, 2018
Smithsonian Releases Endangered Frogs in Panama
Once common along highland streams in western Costa Rica and Panama, the variable harlequin frog, Atelopus varius, is endangered throughout its range, decimated by a disease caused by the amphibian... read press release
Two-toed sloth Ms Chips
Jan. 05, 2018
Elderly Two-toed Sloth Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
Ms. Chips, a two-toed sloth and longtime resident of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, died overnight Jan. 2. She was 46 years old. The median life expectancy for female two-toed sloths in human care... read press release
An Amur tiger in the snow
Jan. 04, 2018
New Amur Tiger Debuts at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
For the first time since 1948, the Great Cats habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is once again home to an Amur tiger, a 10-year-old male named Pavel.... read press release
Two zebras standing in the sun with their heads together
Jan. 04, 2018
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra Dies at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Hoofstock keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Yvonne, a 15-year-old female Hartmann’s mountain zebra who was humanely euthanized Dec. 31, 2017. The... read press release
Two cheetahs standing between tall grasses
Dec. 22, 2017
New Cheetahs Debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
There is a brand new band of brothers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. A coalition of two male cheetahs made their debut at the Cheetah Conservation Station yesterday, Dec. 21.... read press release
An illegally trafficked common African pangolin
Dec. 21, 2017
Latest Pangolin Family Tree Provides Key To Tracking World’s Most Trafficked Mammal
A new study from the Smithsonian and partners presents the most comprehensive evolutionary family tree for the eight known species of pangolins—one of Earth's most evolutionarily unique animals and... read press release
A cheetah cub and mother laying in the grass
Dec. 13, 2017
Smithsonian Scientists Identify Early Indicators of Pregnancy in Cheetahs
A new study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is helping to make headway in an area of animal management that has historically proven challenging: the breeding of cheetahs under... read press release
Animal pillows
Dec. 06, 2017
GRUMP Holiday Market at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
ZooLights visitors will have the opportunity to attend GRUMP, a European-style outdoor market, Dec. 15, 16 and 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m... read press release
Two Guam rail chicks and an adult Guam rail standing on the ground just behind a tray of food
Nov. 30, 2017
Two Guam Rail Chicks Hatch at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute hatched two Guam rail chicks earlier this month. The hatchings are a boon for the species, which is currently classified as “extinct in the wild” by the... read press release
Nov. 20, 2017
Leadership Change at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Director Dennis Kelly plans to retire after a temporary appointment as the interim president of Smithsonian Enterprises. Effective Monday... read press release
An Asian longhorned beetle illustrated by artist Maggie Gourlay
Nov. 15, 2017
Smithsonian’s National Zoo To Host CulturalDC’s SPACE4: Visual Arts Initiative, Washington, D.C.’s First Mobile Art Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, in collaboration with CulturalDC, will host Washington, D.C.’s first mobile art gallery during ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the Zoo’s annual free holiday lights... read press release
Western lowland gorilla Calaya in the Great Ape House outdoor habitat.
Nov. 03, 2017
Western Lowland Gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is Pregnant
For the first time in nine years, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is making preparations for the highly anticipated birth of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla.... read press release