Press Releases
Nov. 19, 2019
Bei Bei the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China on Nov. 19, 2019. read press release
Nov. 18, 2019
ZooLights—powered by Pepco—is bigger, brighter and better than ever this season. Visitors can join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in celebrating the holidays with its annual free lights festival. The... read press release
Nov. 16, 2019
“Bye Bye, Bei Bei” (BAY-BAY,) a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he departs for China.... read press release
Nov. 08, 2019
There is a prickle of excitement at Small Mammal House where keepers discovered that Beatrix, a 2-year-old prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette.... read press release
Oct. 29, 2019
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to two new regally mustachioed monkeys. read press release
Oct. 24, 2019
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the arrival of a male lesser kudu calf, who was born Oct. 14 to 5-year-old mother Rogue and 9-year-old father... read press release
Oct. 18, 2019
Giant panda Bei Bei will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Tuesday, Nov. 19. read press release
Oct. 09, 2019
The newest residents at Reptile Discovery Center are in no rush to grow up. The two 5-year-old Aldabra tortoises debuted in late September.... read press release
Oct. 03, 2019
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a female lesser kudu named Shirley, who died Sept. 28 following complications during the birthing... read press release
Sep. 23, 2019
Sydney, a 3-year-old Bennett’s wallaby, died Sept. 20 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. read press release
Sep. 19, 2019
Data show that since 1970, the U.S. and Canada have lost nearly 3 billion birds, a massive reduction in abundance involving hundreds of species, from beloved backyard songbirds to long-distance... read press release
Sep. 11, 2019
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... read press release
Sep. 10, 2019
For the first time, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to rare clouded leopard cubs. The two cubs are the newest residents on the Zoo’s Asia Trail and will make their public debut Wednesday, Sept... read press release
Sep. 09, 2019
Two rare clouded leopard cubs will make their media debut on Asia Trail. They are the first cubs to ever live at the Zoo. read press release
Aug. 30, 2019
Listed below are events being held at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from September through December. read press release
Aug. 22, 2019
American Trail keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a 3-year-old female California sea lion named Catalina, who died Aug. 20.... read press release
Aug. 22, 2019
Bei Bei (BAY-BAY) turned 4 years old today, Aug. 22. The Department of Nutrition Science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo made him a panda-friendly frozen cake as a birthday treat. ... read press release
Aug. 15, 2019
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the loss of an 11-month-old male dama gazelle named Gustav who died Aug. 7. read press... read press release
Aug. 15, 2019
Kids’ Farm keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed a new member to the cattle herd—a 10-month-old female Hereford calf named Willow. Her arrival bumps the number of cattle at the Kids’... read press release