Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Solar-Powered Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel Is Open at the National Zoo
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...
National Zoo Mourns Death of Elderly Sumatran Tiger
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...
Today's Domestic Turkeys Are Genetically Distinct from Wild Ancestors, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Researchers and Collaborators Find
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...
New Population Statistics Reveal Island Scrub-Jay Among United States' Rarest Bird Species
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.
Still Free and Brighter Than Ever -- ZooLights Dazzles at the National Zoo
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!
Eight Tentacled Snakes Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for First Time in 11 Years
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...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Scientists Find That Humans Alter Animal Distribution on the Appalachian Trail
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...
Female Dama Gazelle Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
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...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Partners with George Mason University and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Foster Conservation Leadership
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...
Traffic Alert: Boo at the Zoo
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 Researcher Wins Prestigious Veterinary Medicine Award
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...
ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Begins Nov. 23
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...
Shop for the Holidays and Support the Smithsonian's National Zoo
This holiday season, shop at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for gifts your loved ones will give a hoot, whoop and roar about! Spot a great find for the animal person in your life during your next visit to the Zoo, or shop the online catalogue. By giving a Zoo gift, you become a conservationist—all...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and George Mason University Celebrate Dedication of New Academic Facilities
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...
Giant Panda Cub at National Zoo Died as Result of Lung and Liver Damage
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...
Press Conference: Cause of Panda Cub Death
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...
National Zoo Mourns the Death of Black Howler Monkey
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...
Enter the Gin-GRR-bread Habitat Contest Inspired by the New American Trail at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Friends of the National Zoo calls all baking enthusiasts to enter the annual Gin-GRR-Bread Habitat Contest at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. This year's theme is, A Winter's Tail on the American Trail. American Trail is the newest exhibit at the National Zoo and is home to four California sea lions...
Annual Autumn Conservation Festival at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
WHAT: Autumn Conservation Festival WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, Va. Just off of Route 522 It's that time of year again. In fact, the only time of year when the gates to the Smithsonian...
Have a Howling Good Time at Boo at the Zoo
The 14 th annual Boo at the Zoo promises to be a howling good time filled with costumed families and fun at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Oct. 26, 27, and 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), Boo at the Zoo offers kids ages two to 12 a safe atmosphere to...
National Zoo Mourns Death of Giant Panda Cub
Pathologists at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed a necropsy (animal autopsy) Sept. 23 on the six-day-old giant panda cub that died earlier that morning. A final pathology report will provide more information in the next few weeks, but the preliminary report suggests two potential...
Smithsonian's National Zoological Park Wins Major Awards for Conservation and Diversity Education
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced Sept. 19 that the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been awarded Top Honors for the 2012 AZA International Conservation Award for its Scientific Approaches to Conservation of Giant Pandas and Their Habitat program and Significant...
NEW Video: Panda Cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo's female giant panda Mei Xiang gave Panda Cam viewers another sneak peek of her cub, born Sunday Sept. 16. At about 7:54 a.m. Sept. 20, Mei Xiang gently picked the squealing cub up in her mouth before placing it on the ground to groom it. Keepers continue to be...
Video: Glimpse of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Panda Cub
Smithsonian's National Zoo staff and Panda Cam watchers have gotten several quick glimpses of female giant panda Mei Xiang's cub since its birth Sept. 16 at 10:46 p.m. In this video from Sept. 17. at about 8:35 p.m. EST, Mei Xiang cradles the newborn and picks it up in her mouth as she shifts...