Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Three Geriatric Small Mammals Die
We are sad to announce the loss of three elderly small mammals, who died yesterday, Nov. 23. Geriatric animals receive specialized care from their keepers, veterinarians, and nutritionists to ensure that they receive the best possible care. Often, that entails ensuring their exhibits are easy to get...
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Renews Giant Panda Breeding Agreement
Giant pandas, which have been icons and ambassadors for the efforts to save the species in Washington, D.C., since 1972, will continue to live at the Smithsonian's National Zoo through the end of 2020. The new breeding agreement signed by Zoo Director Dennis Kelly and Li Qingwen, deputy secretary...
Giant Panda Cub Bei Bei Will Make His Public Debut Jan. 16, 2016
Giant panda cub Bei Bei (BAY-BAY) will go on public exhibit for the first time Jan. 16, 2016. In the past three months, he has transformed from a pink hairless cub weighing about 5 ounces to a robust 12.5-pound black-and-white cub capable of crawling and sometimes walking on his own. The panda team...
Female Kiwi at National Zoo Has Died
A 19-year-old female North Island brown kiwi named Nessus died Oct. 30 at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Per standard procedure, a necropsy (animal autopsy) was performed the same day. The initial report indicates that aspiration of stomach contents was the immediate cause of death. Additional...
Maned Wolves No Longer on Exhibit
Sadly, both of the geriatric maned wolves at the Cheetah Conservation Station recently died. As a non-breeding companion pair, they were terrific ambassadors for their species, and taught visitors about the behavior and social nature of maned wolves. The exhibit will remain empty while our animal...
Golden Lion Tamarin Dies at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo is sad to announce the death of 7-year-old golden lion tamarin Pepe, who died overnight at the Vet Hospital. A final pathology report will provide more information. The median life expectancy of a golden lion tamarin is 8 years in the wild. A few weeks ago, keepers noticed that Pepe...
Three Cheetah Cubs Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) welcomed three chirping cheetah cubs Friday, Oct. 16. The cubs are genetically very important for the population of cheetahs in human care. Their mother, Sanurra, is the third-most genetically valuable female in the United States. She came to...
New Study From Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Reveals Secrets of African Lion Reproduction
For the first time ever, zoos will have access to the most comprehensive information about female African lion reproduction as the result of an eight-year study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners. The findings were published Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the scientific...
Eld's Deer Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. is celebrating the birth of two male Eld's deer, an endangered species native to Myannmar. The first fawn, pictured here, was born Sept. 26 to 7-year-old mother Sherri and 6-year-old father Nam Tann. On Sept. 27, a second fawn was...
Oct. 3 and 4: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute To Host Annual Autumn Conservation Festival - CANCELLED
This weekend, Oct. 3 and 4, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Va., will open to the public for its annual Autumn Conservation Festival. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Festival will allow visitors to explore the scenic facility, view endangered species—such as...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Receives National Award for Excellence in Marketing
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced that the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute received Top Honors in marketing for budgets under $175,000 for their Endangered Song Project.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Study Finds Forest Giants Suffer Worst During Droughts
In a study published Sept. 28 in the journal Nature Plants, a team led by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists found that bigger trees suffer the most during droughts, regardless of location or forest type. The team, including ecologists Kristina Anderson-Teixeira and Amy...
Eld's Deer Dies at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
On September 17, an 4-year-old female Eld's deer was spooked during a semiannual fire safety check on the sprinkler system at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. The safety test produced a startling noise to which the deer reacted by running into the enclosure's...
First Ladies of US and People's Republic of China Name the Giant Panda Cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
This morning, Sept. 25, the giant panda cub born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 22 received his name, Bei Bei (BAY-BAY), which means precious, treasure" and is complementary to his sister's name, Bao Bao. In celebration of the state visit and as a special honor for the cub, the name was...
Weekly Giant Panda Cub Update from the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Keepers had an opportunity to weigh the 4.5 week-old giant panda cub yesterday, Sept. 21, when Mei Xiang left her den to eat. He weighs 2.95 pounds (1,339 grams) and has now surpassed both of his older siblings in size when they were the same age. At 4-and-a-half weeks old, Bao Bao weighed...
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Receives $4.5 Million to Continue Giant Panda Program
David M. Rubenstein has pledged a second $4.5 million gift to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, funding its giant panda research and conservation program through the end of 2020. The gift will support conservation efforts in China, research on giant panda...
For Media: Weekly Giant Panda Cub Update from the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Aug. 29—Mei Xiang ate for the first time since giving birth. Keepers left sugarcane in her den for her, which she chose to eat around 1 p.m. She put her cub down for a few minutes while eating, giving panda cam viewers an excellent view of him. His black markings have started coming in around his...
Giant Panda Cub Is Male and Sired By Tian Tian
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 22 at the National Zoo is male. A paternity analysis showed that Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists also confirmed the...
Giant Panda Cub Update: August 27, 2015
Overnight, it was evident to panda keepers and veterinarians that our healthy panda cub was active and nursing appropriately throughout the night. Mother Mei Xiang is showing proper maternal care which includes short sleep cycles and adjusting the tiny cub in her arms for better positioning and...
National Zoo Announces Giant Panda Cubs' Gender and Paternity
WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will announce the gender and paternity of the giant panda cubs born at the Zoo Aug. 22. The smaller of the two cubs died Aug. 26. Initial necropsy findings for the deceased cub will be shared. WHEN:9 a.m. WHERE:The entrance to...
Press Conference: Giant Panda Cub Death at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
WHAT:The smaller giant panda cub died this afternoon shortly after 2 p.m. More information will be provided at a press conference. The larger cub appears to be strong, robust, behaving normally and is with mother Mei Xiang. WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 4 p.m. WHERE:Panda Plaza, 3001 Connecticut Avenue...
One of the Giant Panda Cubs at the National Zoo Has Died
The smaller of the two giant panda cubs born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 22, died shortly after 2 p.m. today, Aug. 26. The panda team rotated both cubs in the past 24 hours allowing each to benefit from spending time with their mother, Mei Xiang. The smaller cub was with Mei Xiang from...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Giant Panda Cub Update - Aug. 25
Mei Xiang has not been a willing participant in the panda team's efforts to switch the cubs since 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon. She has the larger cub in her possession. The panda team is caring for the smaller cub and will continue efforts to swap the cubs about every four hours. However, because the...