Press Release Archive

This Valentine's Day, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is offering valentines a unique way to show their love for their family and friends. For less than a card and a box of chocolates ($10), anyone can send an electronic Critter Cupid to someone special in his or her life—a friend, child, parent...

When great ape keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo were deciding how to add more variety and enrichment to their animals' lives, they turned to Orangutan Outreach and a program that had seen great success in 12 other zoos around the world: Apps for Apes. With the tap of a finger, keepers are...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is a global leader in brown kiwi conservation largely because of Animal Keeper Kathy Brader's efforts, and her devotion to this endangered species was honored recently by New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key. On Jan. 1, Key appointed Brader an Honorary Member of the...

As rapid economic expansion continues to shape the Asian landscape on which many species depend, time is running out for conservationists aiming to save wildlife such as tigers and leopards. Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have used genetic analysis to find that the...

If you have visited the Cheetah Conservation Station at the Smithsonian's National Zoo lately, you may have noticed new red river hog or sitatunga, and wondered: what are they? All your questions will be answered Jan. 11 at the special event, Teeming with Life: Bringing Gabon to the National Zoo...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating the birth of two Andean bear cubs born overnight to 6-year-old Billie Jean. The first cub was born around 12:01 a.m. and the second at 2:02 a.m. These two cubs were sired by Nikki, who was humanely euthanized in August. This species has a high mortality...

Human—elephant conflict in Sri Lanka kills more than 70 humans and 200 Asian elephants every year. One of the most common tools in combating these conflicts is moving the elephants into ranges away from humans, often into national parks. This is done in hopes of avoiding problems that include...

As the world celebrated the pregnancy news from Buckingham Palace earlier in the week, staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo were making preparations for their own highly anticipated birth: Andean bear cubs. Zoo veterinarians have conducted weekly ultrasounds since Nov. 6 on 6-year-old Billie Jean...

The Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel—one of the only solar-powered carousels in the world—is now open at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The carousel, made possible by the Speedwell Foundation, features hand-carved and hand-painted animals and has a net-zero impact on the Zoo's energy...

Veterinary staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo humanely euthanized a 19-year-old female Sumatran tiger, Soyono, this morning. A final pathology report may provide more information, but her health had been in decline for several weeks. In early October, Soyono—affectionately known as Soy—began to...

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a succulent roasted turkey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that consumers cook and eat more than 45 million turkeys every Thanksgiving. Very few Americans, however, know much about the difference between their gravy-smothered poultry and the...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists and collaborators have found that the island scrub-jay's population on Santa Cruz Island—its only habitat—is significantly smaller than previously believed and that it is therefore at greater risk of extinction.

ZooLights—powered by Pepco—at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is wilder than ever this year and a perfect holiday event for everyone in the family! The annual lights festival, hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, is 25 nights—longer than it has ever been in its six-year history—and it is free!

The newest additions at the Reptile Discovery Center at the Smithsonian's National Zoo were a surprise even to the keepers: eight tentacled snakes, born Oct. 21 to parents that have not produced viable young in the four years the Zoo has had them, despite breeding attempts. Tentacled snakes are...

Every year more than 4 million people enjoy the popular Appalachian Trail, which extends from Maine to Georgia and is surrounded by forests as well as agricultural and residential development. However, just as humans depend on the land, so, too, does the native wildlife. With the help of citizen...

Last month, the Smithsonian's National Zoo celebrated the birth of its sprightly male dama gazelle calf, born Sept. 4 to mother Fahima. Five weeks later, three-year-old Zafirah gave birth to a female calf in the early morning Oct. 13, bringing the Zoo's dama gazelle herd to seven individuals. Raul...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and George Mason University formalized a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Oct. 26 aimed at coordinating and fostering the professional training, career development and youth education for...

Media Only: Devin Murphy 202-633-3055 TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Boo at the Zoo Kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 WHAT: Boo at the Zoo WHEN:Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 26-28, 2012 5:30-8:30 p.m. WHERE: Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, D.C. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008 WHO...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute reproductive biologist Dr. Janine Brown has been named this year's winner of the Morris Animal Foundation's Innovation in Veterinary Medicine Award. The tribute celebrates Brown's expansive career in developing pioneering reproductive techniques for...

Come see the Smithsonian's National Zoo in a whole new light during ZooLights—powered by Pepco! Beginning Nov. 23, Friends of the National Zoo invites guests to stroll through the Zoo under the glow of thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights. ZooLights is 24 nights this year—the most in its...

The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a unique program in terms of its academic offerings and contributions to the field of conservation, celebrated the completion of its expansive new academic facilities today, Oct. 18, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va...

After examining the giant panda cub that died six days after it was born to mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the Zoo's team of pathologists found that lung and liver damage ultimately caused the death of the panda cub. The poorly developed lungs likely caused the cub...

WHAT:Media will be informed about the results from the panda cub necropsy and receive an update about the mother giant panda. WHEN:Thursday, Oct. 11 8:30 a.m.: Photo opportunity: Both giant pandas, Mei Xiang (female) and Tian Tian (male), will be in their outdoor yards. Each panda will receive a...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo euthanized a young black howler monkey, Loki, Sunday, Oct. 7, because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease. This disease is a vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus imbalance. It is most often caused by lack of sunlight (ultraviolet light), lack of...