Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
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 chytrid fungus. On Jan. 17, 2018, Smithsonian researchers released approximately 500 frogs at First...
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 is 15 years old.
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.
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 median life expectancy for a female of this species is 15 years.
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.
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 the world's most trafficked mammal.
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 human care.
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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.
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 International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN), although there are small populations that...
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, Nov. 27, 2017, Steven Monfort will become acting director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and...
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 festival from Nov. 24 through Jan. 1 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31).
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.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Seeking Names for Kiwi Chick
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, and the Embassy of New Zealand in the United States are asking animal lovers to help name an endangered female brown kiwi chick.
Smithsonian Scientists Help Pave Path To Large-Scale Coral Reef Restoration
As global warming, acidification and disease threaten a healthy future for the world’s coral reefs, conservationists in recent years have turned to the lab to study advanced reproductive methods, especially cryopreservation—or the freezing of coral eggs, sperm and other material—as a tool to produce...
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Begins Nov. 24 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
ZooLights—powered by Pepco—at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is wilder than ever and a perfect holiday event for everyone in the family. Now in its 11th year, the annual free lights festival twinkles for 36 nights—from Nov. 24 through Jan. 1, 2018 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Prehensile-tailed Porcupine Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Small Mammal House keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed a baby prehensile-tailed porcupine Oct 19.
White-cheeked Gibbon Euthanized at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Tuyen, a 10-year-old female white-cheeked gibbon at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, was humanely euthanized Oct. 12, after suffering from progressive neurologic disease and acute seizures.
Male Sloth Bear Arrives at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo recently welcomed a new sloth bear into its zoological family. Niko, a 2-year-old male, arrived Oct. 6 from NaturZoo Rheine in Germany and joins 3-year-old female sloth bear Remi at the Zoo’s Asia Trail exhibit.
Smithsonian Scientists Find Deadly Pathogen Not Present in Pet Salamanders in the United States
In 2016, the international import of 201 salamander species into the United States was restricted in an effort to prevent the newly discovered deadly salamander fungal disease, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), from entering the country. In a new study, Smithsonian Conservation Biology...
Red Panda Cub Euthanized at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
We are sad to share that one of red panda Nutmeg’s cubs born June 14 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, was euthanized Oct. 4. Keepers rushed her to the veterinary hospital after they noticed that she was minimally responsive and had lost weight since her...
New Electric Fishes Exhibit Opens at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Amazonia Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is buzzing with a current from a brand-new Electric Fishes Demonstration Lab, opening Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. The multisensory lab is home to a 5-foot-long electric eel, capable of generating up to 800 volts of electricity, four black ghost knifefish...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Releases Birds to the Wild
Two female Guam rails born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, were released to the wild in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Sept. 18. This month’s release marks the first time since 1985 that there are more Guam rails in the wild than in human...
Alpaca Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the loss of 12-year-old alpaca, Ziggy, who died Sept. 23.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Open to the Public for Conservation Discovery Day
The 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Va.—which is the headquarters for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s conservation science initiatives and is normally closed to the public—will open its gates Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Conservation...