Press Release Archive

The façade of the Great Ape House is getting a “bee-autiful” makeover. Beginning Sept. 17, artist Matthew Willey will put paint to the popular primate exhibit, creating a larger-than-life swarm of honeybees to highlight the importance of pollinator conservation.

Cheetah Conservation Station keepers are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered Dama gazelle.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will host a day of science-filled activities for college and high school-aged students Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nearly 50 percent of the planet is covered by the high seas, referred to as the “Wild West” of the ocean and among the least protected areas in the world. In September, the United Nations will convene to discuss the management of the high seas beyond national jurisdiction and opportunities for...

A new naked mole-rat exhibit featuring a colony of 17 of the “nude” rodents at the Small Mammal House will open Sept 1.

Giant panda Bei Bei celebrated his third birthday Aug. 22 with a special ice cake.

Bird House keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the hatching of two indigo bunting chicks—a first for the Zoo and the North American population in human care.

A public vote decided the names of three endangered Przewalski’s (sha-VAL-ski) horse colts at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia.

Reptile Discovery Center staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Alex, an elderly male Aldabra tortoise who was humanely euthanized Aug. 7. At the time of his death, animal care staff estimated Alex to be about 100 years old.

Bird House staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Darwin, an elderly male emu who was humanely euthanized Aug. 3.

Check out the events at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Aug. 25 through Oct. 6, 2018.

Four endangered Przewalski’s (sha-VAL-ski) horse foals were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute between March and June. SCBI is asking the public to help name the three colts.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute welcomed a litter of seven chirping cheetah cubs July 9. The cubs appear to be healthy and doing well.

The safety and security of the visitors, staff and animals are the No. 1 priority at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The Zoo will host a public meeting on Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

A scimitar-horned oryx calf was born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, June 30. The calf was conceived by artificial insemination with sperm that was cryopreserved (frozen) in 2011, and the calf’s mother did not need to be anesthetized for the procedure — a...

Rose Marie, a 31-year-old Przewalski’s horse at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, was humanely euthanized July 6, due to her declining health and quality of life. She was one of the oldest Przewalski’s horses in the world.

A team of 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 birth this year.

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have provided the first experimental evidence that male western white-bearded wildebeests’ rutting vocalizations are a key driver of the tightly synchronized breeding and calving in the species.

Smithsonian and University of California, Davis scientists and partners have discovered a new coronavirus in a species of bat in Myanmar as part of routine surveillance for the PREDICT project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. A second virus was also detected in Myanmar for...

One of the golden lion tamarin infants born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo last week died this morning, July 3. It appears that the infant fell off one of its parents this morning.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is celebrating the birth of two endangered golden lion tamarins. The monkeys were born June 29 to first-time parents Mo and Izzy and appear to be healthy.

A female Guam kingfisher, one of the planet's most endangered bird species, hatched at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute on May 17.

Just in time for her public debut, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s female Holstein calf has a name: Magnolia.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is inviting the public to name the newest member of the Kids’ Farm herd—an 8-month-old female Holstein calf. Starting today, May 11, fans can vote on the Zoo’s website for their favorite among three floral names: Magnolia, Hyacinth...