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The Zoo will be closed Saturday, Jan. 29, due to winter weather.

The Zoo is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. All visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask in all indoor spaces at the Zoo, regardless of their vaccination status. Fully vaccinated visitors do not need to wear a mask in outdoor areas. Select animal buildings remain closed.

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Press Releases

Sloth bear Remi at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Asia Trail exhibit.
May. 08, 2020
Female Sloth Bear Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Asia Trail keepers at the Smithsonian National Zoo are mourning the loss of Remi, a 6-year-old female sloth bear who was humanely euthanized May 2, following a foot wound that was not healing despite... read press release
May. 04, 2020
World Migratory Bird Day is May 9
Migratory birds are now flooding across the continent as they return to their nesting grounds this spring. World Migratory Bird Day is on May 9, 2020, as people around the globe welcome birds back—... read press release
A Guam kingfisher hatched at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute April 21. It is being raised by its parents, Giha and Animu.
May. 01, 2020
Two Extinct-in-the-Wild Guam Kingfishers Hatch at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Bird keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the arrival of two Guam kingfisher chicks that hatched April 21 and 23. They are the first offspring for 11-month-old... read press release
A close-up photo of the branch of a hemlock tree
Apr. 30, 2020
One in Four Tree Deaths in Blue Ridge Mountains Linked to Invasive Species
New research from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Shenandoah National Park finds that invasive species of forest insects and pathogens contributed to about a quarter of the tree... read press release
A female white-naped crane chick hatched April 2, 2020 to parents Brenda and Eddie.
Apr. 13, 2020
White-Naped Crane Hatches at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Bird keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating the arrival of a female white-naped crane chick that hatched April 2. She is the fourth... read press release
Scientists from Smithsonian's Global Health Program taking samples from a bumble bee bat in Myanmar.
Apr. 09, 2020
Smithsonian Scientists Discover Six New Coronaviruses in Bats
Researchers with the Smithsonian’s Global Health Program have discovered six new coronaviruses in bats in Myanmar — the first time these viruses have been detected anywhere in the world. Future... read press release
A female cheetah cub lays on a bed of hay in a den where she has just given birth to three cubs. The three small, newborn cheetah cubs can be seen around her in the hay.
Apr. 08, 2020
Cheetah Cubs Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, are about to welcome a litter of chirping cheetah cubs. Five-year-old female Echo is having contractions... read press release
Asian elephant Ambika at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Elephant Trails habitat in 2016.
Mar. 28, 2020
Elderly Asian Elephant Ambika Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo community is mourning the loss of Ambika, the beloved eldest member of its Asian elephant herd. She was humanely euthanized yesterday, March 27, following a recent and... read press release
Cheetah Miti and her cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in 2018.
Mar. 24, 2020
Two Animals Die at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of two rare species—a cheetah and an Eld’s deer.... read press release
giant panda eating bamboo
Mar. 23, 2020
Giant Panda Mei Xiang Is Artificially Inseminated at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A team of reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo performed an artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang, March 22, at 9:45 a.m.  ... read press release
Kiwi at SCBI
Mar. 20, 2020
Two Brown Kiwi Die at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of two kiwi. read press release...
Three eggs sit in individual dry-grass nests. One looks like feathers, the other like the earth and the third one looks like a tiger's stripes. The words "Easter Monday and Earth Optimism" are at the top.
Mar. 10, 2020
Spring Events at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is hosting several events in April and May, 2020, including Earth Optimism on Easter Monday; International Family Equality Day; Wildlife Migration Day; and Bite Night:... read press release
a bison looks directly at the camera
Mar. 03, 2020
Bison Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo humanely euthanized Zora, a 7-year-old bison, earlier today. read press release
two cheetah cubs lay in hay. they're eyes are not open yet.
Feb. 24, 2020
First Cheetah Cubs Born as Result of Embryo Transfer
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the Columbus Zoo have successfully transferred cheetah embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) to a surrogate cheetah... read press release
Three plains zebras stand in tall grasses in Laikipia Kenya. The zebras stand in a line, and rolling hills with trees and buildings can be seen in the background.
Feb. 12, 2020
Growing Livestock Numbers Threaten One of the Last Refuges for Large Wild Herbivores in Kenya
Across Laikipia County in central Kenya, endangered species like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and African wild dog, coexist alongside rapidly growing numbers of people and livestock. A... read press release
White-cheeked gibbon Sydney in his habitat at Gibbon Ridge.
Feb. 11, 2020
White-Cheeked Gibbon Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Primate keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Sydney, a white-cheeked gibbon who was humanely euthanized Feb. 4. He was 20 years old.... read press release
Sloth bear Remi explores her habitat on Asia Trail.
Jan. 29, 2020
Sloth Bears Recognize 2D Images as Representations of 3D Objects Smithsonian’s National Zoo Cognition Study Finds
Given the choice between mealworms and melons, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s sloth bears—6-year-old female Remi and 5-year-old male Niko—will almost always choose the former, even when their diet... read press release
A Mariana crow, a bird with black feathers, perching on a branch.
Jan. 27, 2020
Only Mariana Crow Outside Micronesia Dies at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
An elderly 25-year-old male Mariana crow named Clint was humanely euthanized at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) Jan.14. ... read press release
Harbor seal Luke at the American Trail exhibit.
Jan. 24, 2020
Elderly Harbor Seal Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
American Trail keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Luke, a male harbor seal who was humanely euthanized Jan. 23. At 35 years old, Luke was considered geriatric for his... read press release
Dave Wildt Portrait
Jan. 16, 2020
David E. Wildt, Renowned Scientist and Conservationist Dies
David E. Wildt, renowned scientist and conservationist died at his home on January 15, 2020. read press release