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Press Releases

Giant panda Tian Tian plays in the snow.
Feb. 14, 2019
Public Invited to Giant Panda Housewarming Celebration
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will host a housewarming, sponsored by Airbnb, to celebrate the new exhibit for visitors inside the panda house. ... read press release
A kiwi chick standing on a small white towel
Jan. 29, 2019
Top Animal News Updates
During the federal government shutdown from, Jan. 2 to Jan. 28, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s animal care team, almost all federal workers, reported to work and... read press release
A young dama gazelle with short horns, long ears that stick out and a slender body
Dec. 27, 2018
Dama Gazelle Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
Smithsonian’s National Zoo staff humanely euthanized Asha, a 1-year-old Dama gazelle, Dec. 22 after she suffered a neck injury by running into a fence in an off-exhibit area.... read press release
A close-up photo of a green darner dragonfly in flight. It has large eyes, a long tail and a short, round body.
Dec. 19, 2018
Smithsonian Scientists Unlock the Mystery of Dragonfly Migration
A new paper describes a dragonfly’s full life cycle for the first time. Insects are a critical driver of food webs, so figuring out why their populations are falling dramatically is important for the... read press release
Two whooping cranes (large birds with long, thin legs, long necks, and pointed bills) explore their new habitat at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia
Dec. 18, 2018
New Whooping Crane Breeding Facility Opens at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Twelve whooping cranes, one of the most endangered species of crane in the world, moved to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, Dec. 16. The six mated-pairs will... read press release
Naked mole-rat pups
Dec. 17, 2018
Naked Mole-rat Queen Gives Birth to Three Pups at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
After months of anticipation, the naked mole-rat colony at the Small Mammal House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo finally has a queen—the only breeding female in a colony. ... read press release
A large elkhorn coral underwater on a sunny day in Curacao
Dec. 12, 2018
Smithsonian and Partners Pioneer Method to Boost Endangered Coral Populations Separated by Vast Distances
Smithsonian scientists and partners in Florida and Curaçao have become the first to use cryopreserved (frozen) coral sperm to support gene migration of coral populations that would otherwise remain... read press release
Red panda Henry at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
Dec. 12, 2018
Red Panda Dies at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are mourning the loss of Henry, a 4-year-old male red panda, who died overnight Dec. 5.... read press release
Photo courtesy of Noctiluna Kidswear.
Nov. 09, 2018
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Will Host GRUMP, a Holiday Market
Smithsonian’s National Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to find gifts for family and friends at GRUMP, a European-style... read press release
The main entrance to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, featuring trees wrapped in holiday lights, light-up pandas and a lit sign that says "ZooLights"
Nov. 08, 2018
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Begins Nov. 23 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
ZooLights, powered by Pepco, is bigger and brighter than ever this season! Celebrate the holidays at this annual free lights festival at the Zoo.... read press release
Eld's deer fawn
Nov. 07, 2018
Endangered Eld’s Deer Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a new fawn to its herd of endangered Eld’s deer Oct. 26.... read press release
Two bison -- large mammals with thick fur coats, rounded sharp horns, big heads and large shoulder humps -- walk through tall grass at sunset
Nov. 01, 2018
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and American Prairie Reserve Collaborate to Restore America’s Wild Prairie
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and American Prairie Reserve are collaborating to protect and restore one of North America’s greatest treasures — the prairie.... read press release
Confocal images of a Day 3 larvae showing fluorescence from GFP (left) and distribution of DyLight-coated gold nanorod particles surrounding the larva in cryoprotectant (right).
Oct. 24, 2018
Scientists Freeze and Thaw Coral Larvae for the First Time
For the first time, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have successfully cryopreserved (or frozen) and thawed coral larvae from the mushroom coral.... read press release
A small bird with black, white and gray feathers, called a Carolina chickadee, holds a green caterpillar in its beak
Oct. 22, 2018
New Smithsonian Study Links Declines in Suburban Backyard Birds to Presence of Nonnative Plants
Insect-eating birds that depend on high-calorie, high-protein cuisine (namely caterpillars and spiders) to feed their young are finding the menu severely lacking in backyards landscaped with even a... read press release
Dama gazelle Fahima and her female calf, born Oct. 9.
Oct. 16, 2018
Dama Gazelle Calf Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Just one month after welcoming a male Dama gazelle calf, Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo once again welcomed a new member to the herd. A female calf was born in... read press release
Cheetah Sukiri's three cubs in their den at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
Oct. 01, 2018
Three Cheetah Cubs Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) welcomed a litter of three cheetah cubs Sept. 22. The cubs were born to first-time mother, Sukiri.... read press release
White-cheeked gibbon Muneca
Sep. 28, 2018
Elderly White-Cheeked Gibbon Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Primate keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Muneca, a white-cheeked gibbon who was humanely euthanized this morning.... read press release
Sep. 24, 2018
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Receives Accreditation From Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The accreditation certifies that the Zoo has... read press release
Child on bee at Me and The Bee playground
Sep. 19, 2018
THE BUZZ–Me and the Bee Playground Now Open at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is buzzing over a new pollinator-themed playground: Me and the Bee, sponsored by Land O’Lakes Inc. Adjacent to the Kids’ Farm and Conservation Pavilion, Me and the Bee... read press release
A professional head shot of Steven Monfort, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Sep. 19, 2018
Steven Monfort Named Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Steven Monfort has been named the John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, effective Sept. 17.... read press release