Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Partners in the Sky: Aviation and Aerospace Industry Leaders Join The Smithsonian In Worldwide Conservation Efforts
Unlocking the mysteries of animal migration through precise, near real-time tracking can solve major conservation challenges and transform wildlife science worldwide.
Two Litters, Ten Cubs and Hundreds of Spots!
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating International Cheetah Day with 10 genetically valuable cheetah cubs, which were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute last month. First-time mother Miti birthed a litter of seven cubs Nov. 12. Six of her cubs survived—five female and one...
Smithsonian Announces Partnership to Study Animal Migration
Press conference announcing the Partners in the Sky partnership
¡Se llama Bao Bao!
Transcurridos 100 días y con más de 123.039 votos recibidos, la cría de panda gigante del Zoológico Nacional Smithsonian ha recibido su nombre —Bao Bao— hoy, domingo 1 de diciembre. El secretario del Smithsonian, Wayne Clough, el embajador de la República Popular China, Cui Tiankai, y la secretaria...
Her Name Is Bao Bao!
After 100 days and 123,039 votes the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo received her name—Bao Bao—today, Sunday, Dec. 1. Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, Ambassador Cui Tiankai from the People's Republic of China and Assistant Secretary Kerri-Ann Jones from the U.S. Department of...
Smithsonian Scientists Honored as AAAS Fellows
Four Smithsonian scientists have been awarded the distinction of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They have been elevated to this rank because of their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. The names...
Giant Panda Cub Naming Ceremony Is Dec. 1 at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1. 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 12:15 p.m. Media arrival and set-up WHAT:After receiving more than 123,000 online votes, officials and dignitaries will reveal the name of the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo at a special ceremony celebrating her 100th day of life. The...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Animal Keeper Bit by Grevy's Zebra
At approximately 8:45 a.m., a Smithsonian's National Zoo animal care staff member was bitten multiple times by a 10-year-old male Grevy's zebra named Gumu.
National Zoo's Sumatran Tiger Cubs Pass Swim Reliability Test
Two Sumatran tiger cubs took a brisk doggy paddle at the Smithsonian's National Zoo today and passed their swim reliability test. The male and female cubs, named Bandar and Sukacita (SOO-kah-CHEE-tah), were born at the Zoo Aug. 5. All cubs born at the Great Cats exhibit must undergo the swim...
Public Asked to Determine the Giant Panda Cub's Name
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is asking for help to name its female giant panda cub. Panda fans can vote for their favorite name on Smithsonian.com beginning today, Election Day, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. EST until Nov. 22. The winning name will be revealed at a ceremony Dec. 1, when the cub is 100 days...
National Zoo's Sumatran Tiger Cubs to Take Swim Reliability Test
WHAT:Two 13-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs, a male and female, will make their media debut and take a swim reliability test; their public debut is Nov. 18, weather permitting. WHEN:Wednesday, Nov. 6 Noon-12:30 p.m. WHO: Craig Saffoe, curator of Great Cats, Smithsonian's National Zoo Leigh Pitsko...
National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub Receives Her First Vaccine
The giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo has gained almost another pound since Friday, Oct. 18, weighing in at 6.73 pounds (3.06 kilograms), and received her first vaccine at her veterinary exam this morning. Veterinarians reported that the cub is very healthy, and despite receiving a...
National Zoo Mourns Loss of Aldabra Tortoise and Wrinkled Hornbill
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the loss of Sable, one of its elderly Aldabra tortoises, who died Oct. 7, and a female wrinkled hornbill, who died at the Bird House Oct. 18. Veterinarians had been treating the female tortoise, Sable, for renal failure and an upper respiratory infection...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Reopens to the Public Tomorrow at 10 a.m. EDT
The gates at the Smithsonian's National Zoo will open to the public Friday, Oct. 18 after the federal government shutdown. The live animal cams had also been turned off during the government shutdown, including the panda cams. The Zoo's information technology staff began the process of bringing the...
Autumn Conservation Festival at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Is Cancelled
The Autumn Conservation Festival at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6 is cancelled. SCBI is closed due to the federal government shutdown. The Festival will not be rescheduled. For further updates and information, please check Facebook, Twitter or the National...
National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub Receives Her First Full Veterinary Exam
The giant panda cub born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 23 received her first veterinary exam late yesterday Sept. 16 and was given a clean bill of health. Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), who has spent much of the past three and-a-half weeks cradling the cub, put her down and left her den at 4:11 p.m...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Insitute Scientists Find Sudden Stream Temperature Changes Boost Hellbender Immune Systems
Hellbenders, aquatic salamanders from the eastern United States, are surprisingly good at dealing with unpredictable weather. In a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found that hellbenders can experience...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Receives Accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The accreditation certifies that the National Zoo has met or exceeded the AZA's standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. In the...
Giant Panda Cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is Female
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 23 at the National Zoo is female. A paternity analysis showed that the Zoo's panda Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists...
Smithsonian's National Zoo to Announce Giant Panda Cub Sex and Paternity Tomorrow
WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Zoo will announce the sex and paternity of the giant panda cub born at the National Zoo Aug. 23, and the second stillborn cub. WHO:Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive biologist Jesus Maldonado, research scientist Brandie Smith, senior curator of mammals and giant pandas...
National Zoo Mourns Loss of Przewalski's Horse
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the death of its 23-year-old Przewalski's horse, a male named Rolles, who was humanely euthanized this morning. A final pathology report will provide more information. In July, keepers observed that Rolles had some nasal discharge. Zoo veterinarians...
Young Whoopers Stay the Course When They Follow a Wise Old Bird
Scientists have studied bird migration for centuries, but it remains one of nature's great mysteries.
Media Alert: Giant Panda Cub Update
In the early morning hours, giant panda Mei Xiang gently placed her cub on the floor of her den. Vigilant panda cam observers were watching at 3:37 a.m. We're delighted to share the video with you on the Zoo's YouTube page! You'll see the tiny cub has a round belly which indicates to the panda team...
Smithsonian's National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub Update 2013
This morning, the panda team attempted to get the cub for a second veterinary exam. Mei Xiang was more alert and more aware of the keepers presence today, especially compared with Sunday when she seemed focused on the cub to the exclusion of everything else around her.