Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Elderly Gray Seal Dies at National Zoo
The National Zoo's senior male gray seal, Gunnar, died June 22. Keeper and veterinary staff had been managing his declining health for several months. A final pathology report will provide more information. He was 38 years old.
National Zoo Asks Facebook Fans to Name First Baby Howler Monkey
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is inviting its Facebook fans to answer the call of the wild by naming one of the Small Mammal House's loudest and most charismatic critters: a baby black howler monkey ( Alouatta nigerrima).
Cheers for Conservation at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Conservation is always on tap at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and guests are invited to raise their beer glasses in support during Brew at the Zoo. Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, the popular event will take place this year on July 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than 40 microbreweries will...
Twin Fishing Cats Born at the National Zoo — a First
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is closer to cracking the code for breeding one of Asia's most elusive species with the birth of two fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus).
Scientists Find That Rain May Not Always Be a Welcome Thing to Waterbirds
Scientists from the Smithsonian and colleagues have found that waterbird communities can be the canary in the coal mine when it comes to detecting the health of urban estuary ecosystems.
Canid Fieldwork Results in Two Significant Papers for Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Scientists
Two research papers published this spring by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists and partners will form the building blocks for conservation biologists to take action in saving canid species on two continents. The work on African wild dogs and dholes, or Asiatic wild dogs, brings...
National Zoo's Two Cheetah Cubs Appear Healthy and Strong
At 6 weeks old, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's two cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus) cubs received a clean bill of health from Zoo veterinarians June 7. The veterinary team performed a complete physical exam, which includes: listening to the cubs' heart and lungs; checking their mouth, eyes, legs, feet...
National Zoo Mourns Death of Male Kiwi
A six-year-old male brown kiwi ( Apteryx mantelli) named Manaia died Saturday, May 26, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. He had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical illness.
Two Cheetah Cubs Transferred to the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Three weeks after their unconventional and rocky entrance into the world, two 3-week-old cheetahs were transported May 18 to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in good health, thanks to the hard work and swift actions of animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal...
Smithsonian Scientists Find Female Coatis Help Offspring of Other Females
When Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute postdoctoral fellow Ben Hirsch found that juvenile ring-tailed coatis regularly attack stronger, older coatis and often even receive help from adult females, previous studies about how related animals treat one another could not predict his next...
Friends of the National Zoo is Hosting ZooFari Tonight at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo will close early today in preparation for ZooFari (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). The lower half of the Zoo, from the Small Mammal House down, will close at noon. The outdoor giant panda exhibit will close at 2 p.m., and the entire Zoo will close at 4 p.m. Last admittance to the Zoo is at...
Infrastructure Supporting National Parks May Provide Poachers Easier Access to Wildlife - Media Release
As new development projects take over pristine wilderness, national parks provide some of the last safe havens for wildlife. But Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have found that the very infrastructure that supports the parks can result in easier access to the wildlife the parks...
Otter Family Makes a Splash at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
As the U.S. Olympic Swim Team prepares to go for the gold in London, a new family of Asian small-clawed otters ( Amblonyx cinereus) is making quite a splash of their own at the National Zoo. Eleven otters—two parents and nine offspring—will dive into their new digs this Saturday.
Media Advisory: Asian Small-Clawed Otter Family Debuts at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
A new family of Asian small-clawed otters ( Amblonyx cinereus) is making quite a splash at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
ZooFari, a Culinary Safari, will be Served Up Next Week at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo feeds 400 species regularly, but on May 17 Friends of the National Zoo will host the human species at ZooFari, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guests are invited on a culinary safari to sample gourmet fare from more than 100 of the D.C. area's finest restaurants.
National Zoo's 36-Year-Old Elephant Makes Musical Debut - Media Release
When the elephant keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo hear the sound of a harmonica, it is not the radio they have left on. Instead, it is the Zoo's 36-year-old Asian elephant, Shanthi, who, unsolicited, has a propensity for coming up with her own ditties using whatever instruments the keepers...
Smithsonian's National Performs Artificial Insemination on Its Female Giant Panda
Giant panda breeding season began this year at the Smithsonian's National Zoo when female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), went into estrus over the weekend. Dr. Li Desheng from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, and National Zoo scientists and veterinarians...
Two Small-clawed Otters at the National Zoo Have Died
Two young adult Asian small-clawed otters, from a new family of 13, died late yesterday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Seven otters received routine quarantine exams during which the animals had patches of their fur dyed for identification purposes and they received contraceptive implants. After...
Smithsonian Researchers Use Non-Invasive Techniques to Look at Genetic Diversity in Leopards from a Distance
Genetic analysis can give researchers a wealth of information about an individual animal or an entire population. But when the animal is wild, dangerous and rare, it can be difficult to obtain the best sources of DNA, which would usually mean capturing the animal to get a blood or tissue sample...
What's New at the National Zoo this Spring
Visitors strolling through the Smithsonian's National Zoo one of these beautiful spring days will see a variety of baby animals, some new faces and enjoy an entirely new food experience.
Human-Modified Habitats Indirectly Influence Bird-Mating Patterns, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Scientists Find
Birds provide one of the most common ways to encounter nature in cities, but few people wonder how their actions affect birds looking for love.
Smithsonian Scientist Uses Innovative Method to Predict How Forests Will Change Over Time
Many factors affect the future of forests, making it complicated to develop predictions about where they will disappear and where they will flourish, what types of trees they will include and how much carbon they will store in the years to come. In a paper published in this month's issue of...
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Publishes Two Significant Panda Studies
Two new research papers by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists and partners will help conservation biologists make strides in saving the fewer than 1,600 giant pandas left in the mountain forests of central China. Over the years SCBI has worked to conserve giant pandas by studying...
Black Howler Monkey Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Spring is in full swing at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and the Small Mammal House — which celebrated the birth of a black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) March 22 — is no exception.