Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Zoo Evacuation Aug. 29
The Zoo was temporarily closed due to a bomb threat on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
![Tian Tian relaxes in the shade at the giant panda habitat.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/paragraphs/single_image/giantpanda_tiantian_2019_skipbrown-01.jpg?itok=Z_XC6WLM)
Giant Panda Tian Tian Celebrates Birthday
Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Tian Tian’s 26th birthday with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake.
![Elkhorn coral in the ocean.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/untitled_design_1.png?itok=M0GCsSmy)
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.
![Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji eats his third birthday cake.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230821-skipbrown-003-giant-panda-xiao-qi-ji-teaser.jpg?itok=Ijc8ey60)
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.
![Xiao Qi Ji celebrated the special occasion with a festive fruitsicle cake, lovingly created by our Department of Nutrition Sciences team. They adorned the three-tiered treat with a giant “2" and some of his favorite foods, including apples, pears, bananas, sugar cane, sweet potato and bamboo. Giant Panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sticks his nose in his 2nd birthday ice cake on the rock formation in the front of an outdoor yard. The cake has a red 2 on the front and various colors on the side. Bamboo sticks out the top and back of the ice cake.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/dsc09550.jpg?itok=k4SO_-nS)
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.
![A female giant panda in a grassy enclosure investigates a fruitsicle cake shaped in the number 25.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230722-817a8381-001rp-web.png?itok=PaxvgXAw)
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.
![Feb. 1, 2023| Addax Terri rests behind the scenes at the Africa Trail exhibit. Photo Credit: Gil Myers, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Addax Terri rests beside a fence at the Africa Trail exhibit.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/20230201-gilmyers001-addax-terri-cropped2.jpg?itok=8nSb2NPQ)
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.
![Western lowland gorilla baby Zahra is cradles by her mother, Calaya.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230607-beckymalinsky-001-gorilla-calaya-baby-teaser.jpg?itok=HwAKXhAY)
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.
![Photo of Alyssa Kaganer and a male colleague injecting liquid into a small test tube.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/untitled_design_0.png?itok=sZIZyzqd)
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 Disease Unit and Turkana Basin Institute have been awarded a five-year, $4.98 million grant to study...
![A newborn gorilla infant clings to her mother, Calaya.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230527-beckymalinsky-003-gorilla-infant-teaser.jpg?itok=GJ800nmH)
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.
![Female black-footed ferret in a nest box nursing her kits.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/teaserbffcam2023_0.png?itok=rQRBzcrS)
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 female Hickory gave birth to six surviving kits May 27.
![Closeup of a baby gorilla born recently at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230527-valschultz-010-gorilla-infant-cropped.png?itok=NvOXcq2Z)
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 Calaya and father Baraka.
![Three meerkat pups were born at the Small Mammal House May 10, 2023, to mother Sadie and father Frankie.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230510-anngutowski-005-teaser.jpg?itok=Upk1giBs)
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.
![Hand holding a radio tagged Kirtland’s Warbler, a yellow and gray songbird, just before releasing it.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/teasersongbird.png?itok=sHNDT2iU)
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. In two studies published today in Movement Ecology, Nathan Cooper, research ecologist for the...
![Andean bear cubs Sean and Ian explore their outdoor habitat.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230322-817a1715-001rp-andean-bear-sean-ian-teaser.jpg?itok=GefLjgqN)
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.
Media Advisory: Andean Bear Cub Brothers Now on View
Two male Andean bear cubs make their outdoor debut March 27, 2023.
![Calaya explores the Great Ape House outdoor habitat on Feb. 1, 2018. Western Lowland Gorilla Calaya](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/westernlowlandgorillacalaya_2018.02.01.jpg?itok=hSZnb5V9)
Western Lowland Gorilla Is Pregnant at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Primate staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., are making preparations for the highly anticipated birth of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/zoo-entrance.jpg?itok=ZgrQjvMN)
Zoo Director's Remarks From the Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Town Hall Event (March 15, 2023)
Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, delivered these remarks at the Eleanor Holmes Norton Town Hall event on March 15, 2023.
![Shorebirds in the Bird House Delaware Bay aviary.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20230208-027sb-shorebirds-sanderling-dunlin-teaser.jpg?itok=e8mTon9s)
Bird House Reopens at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, open Monday, March 13, 2023.
![Bird Friendly Cocoa graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/untitled_design.png?itok=WH0-dVA3)
Be a Tweetheart: Eat Chocolate and Save Birds
Eating chocolate is now better for birds, humans and the planet. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has expanded its Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program to include standards for cocoa farming. This is the only certification that guarantees 100% of the cocoa...
![Pedestrian entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Connecticut Ave.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/20210617-skipbrowndsc00527.jpg?itok=oMzgDoNC)
Reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Entry Pass Inquiry
A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry.
![A Cuban crocodile sitting in shallow water](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20210608-20210608sb-73-072sb_1400x700.png?itok=Ts0l-rvt)
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.
![Two female Asian elephants standing next to each other.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/teaser_0.png?itok=YRTZ-hFP)
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 Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., having completed quarantine following their Nov. 7 arrival...
![The entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Zoolights event with trees lit up in red, green, yellow and blue and a lit sign that says "Zoolights"](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/events/zoo-lights/zoolights2.jpg?itok=jl7xXaYX)
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. The Zoo will be illuminated for 22 select nights—from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Read on...