Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
National Zoo Mourns Loss of Newborn Lion
Last evening, the National Zoo’s lion cub died. Lion keepers had been closely observing the cub, a male, via camera since his birth Tuesday morning. When keepers noticed the cub was not responding to its mother, they shifted the mother outdoors in order to examine the cub. A veterinary team...
In the Face of Forest Loss, Scientists Call for Accelerated Conservation
New England forests are at a turning point. For the first time in 200 years, forest cover—which peaked at 80 percent of the landscape in 2000—has begun to decline in every New England state. If sprawl and development continue at current rates, 63 percent of the landscape may be developed by 2030...
National Zoo's Lone Speke's Gazelle Turns 15 on May 12
Bati, an endangered Speke’s gazelle at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, turns 15 years old tomorrow, May 12. He was born at the St. Louis Zoo in 1995 and is the oldest documented Speke's gazelle living in a zoo. Bati will receive an ‘herbivore’s delight’ consisting of grass, herbs, shrubs and other...
FONZ Offers an Abundance of Educational Experiences Through Its Volunteer Program
Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) is seeking volunteers with an interest in animals and their conservation to assist with upcoming events, games, projects and keeper needs. Volunteers offer invaluable support to the Zoo—they work with staff, visitors, animals, plants, independently and in groups...
Conservation, Chefs and Cuisine to Bring Out Thousands for ZooFari 2010 at the National Zoo
Don’t miss what has become a spring tradition and one of the premier culinary events in Washington, D.C.: ZooFari! Taking place at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on May 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and hosted by the Friends of the National Zoo, ZooFari 2010 – “A Panda Bear Affair” – will bring...
Oryx Breeding Program Kicks Off with Birth of Female Calf; Staff Confirm Sex of Clouded Leopard Cubs
A scimitar-horned oryx has joined the ranks of endangered animals born this year at the National Zoo’s conservation center in Front Royal, Va., where scientists also recently confirmed the gender of the Zoo’s nearly 3-month-old clouded leopards.
Birth of Lion Cub Expands National Zoo's Lion Pride
For the first time in more than 20 years, tiny lion paws are making a mark at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Early this morning 6-year-old lion Nababiep gave birth to one cub, adding another member to the lion pride the Zoo has carefully worked to build over the past year. “This is a historic...
Ambassador Names National Zoo's First Female Kiwi Chick
History was made March 30 in the Bird House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo when its first female brown kiwi chick ( Apteryx mantelli) emerged from her shell. To mark this historic hatching, keepers bestowed the honor of naming the chick on one of her countrymen: New Zealand Ambassador to the...
National Zoo's Elderly Tiger Dies
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is mourning the loss of its elderly male Sumatran tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae), Rokan, today, while celebrating his contributions to conservation during his long life. At almost 20 years of age, Rokan lived longer than the 15-year life expectancy for Sumatran...
Two Rare Crane Hatchings at the Smithsonian Mark a Victory for Science and Conservation
Two rare white-naped crane chicks hatched at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., May 12 and 14. The hatchings of the two chicks validate the National Zoo’s continued success in breeding some of the most genetically valuable cranes in the North American White-Naped...
National Zoo's Giant Panda Is Not Pregnant 4/27/2010
Following a final ultrasound and hormone analysis, staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo confirmed late yesterday (Tuesday, April 27) that female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) is not pregnant but was experiencing a pseudo, or false, pregnancy during the past several months. National Zoo...
Female Giant Panda's Hormones on the Rise 4/27/2010
Scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo detected a secondary rise in urinary progestagen levels in the Zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) March 30. This hormone rise indicates that it should be 40 to 50 days before Mei Xiang either gives birth to a cub or comes to the end of a...
Around-the-Clock Pregnancy Watch Begins of National Zoo's Female Giant Panda
A 24-hour pregnancy watch of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) is slated to begin today at 4 p.m. A corps of more than 40 Friends of the National Zoo volunteers and animal care staff will closely monitor the panda for maternal behaviors through keeper...
Bird Friendly Organic Coffee For Sale in Smithsonian Museum Cafes
Shade-grown, Bird Friendly coffee is now available in five museum locations at the Smithsonian.
Shipping Industry Sends Help as Project in Panama Tackles Amphibian Crisis
As a disease known as amphibian chytrid fungus continues to wipe out amphibian species worldwide, frogs in Panama are finding a safe haven in a seemingly unlikely spot—between the metal walls of shipping containers once used to transport ice cream, strawberries, coffee beans, flowers and...
The Votes Are in: National Zoo's New Octopus Gets a Name
Two weeks and 7,050 votes after the Smithsonian’s National Zoo opened the online polls to the public to name its new giant Pacific octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini), one choice has emerged as the clear victor: Octavius. “Octavius the Octopus” is more than just a pretty, alliterative name. The prefix...
Rare Brown Kiwi Hatches at Smithsonian's National Zoo
One of the world’s most endangered species—a brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli—hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Bird House, early Tuesday morning, March 30. Keepers have been carefully monitoring the egg’s progress since it was laid January 19. Keepers looked for signs of pipping: the process...
What Is in a Name? Smithsonian's National Zoo Opens Octopus Naming to a Public Vote
It is a natural explorer in the wild and seems to have an impressive memory. It has eight arms, no spine and its very own Web cam. That is how the National Zoo describes its new giant Pacific octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini), which has been making a name for itself over the past few weeks. The only...
Washington's African American Community Gathers at the National Zoo to Celebrate a Century-Old Tradition on Easter Monday 3/27/2010
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo will continue a Washington tradition that spans more than 100 years by hosting “Easter Monday: An African American Family Tradition” April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and will take place rain or shine. This year’s...
National Zoo Clouded Leopard Cubs Are One Year Old!
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s rare male clouded leopards Ta Moon (“mischievous child”) and Sa Ming (“brave warrior”) are one year old today! Ta Moon and Sa Ming were born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., March 24, 2009. The leopards were served “birthday...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Makes Progress in Building a Lion Pride
The ensemble of animal noises at the National Zoo will hopefully include the tiny roar of lion cubs this spring. The Zoo is attempting to build a breeding lion pride for the first time in more than 20 years, both to simulate more natural conditions for the most social of the great cats and to help...
National Zoo's 16th Annual Guppy Gala Sponsored By Unitedhealthcare® to Take Place May 14
Does your child’s teddy bear need a checkup? Families with preschool and elementary school-age children can talk to veterinarians, scale rock-climbing walls, enjoy live entertainment, feast on kid-friendly treats and much more at the National Zoo’s 16th Annual Guppy Gala sponsored by...
Zoo to Host Science Fair March 6
Organized by Friends of the National Zoo, the Science Fair is part of the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to education. About 20 seventh-grade students from Jefferson Middle School and Capital City Public Charter School will exhibit their projects, which are based on the National Zoo’s research, animals...
Love Is in the Air at the Small Mammal House
Love is in the air at the Small Mammal House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo this Valentine’s Day weekend. Keepers helped set “the mood” for their animal friends, doling out hand-crafted valentines and heart-shaped treasures unlike anything from any greeting card company or chocolatier. These...