Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
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...
Chaska and Bernardo Are the Names of the National Zoo's Andean Bear Cubs
One week and nearly 5,000 votes after the Smithsonian’s National Zoo opened the online polls to the public to name its male and female Andean bear cubs the Zoo has two winners: Chaska, pronounced Chas'-kuh, for the female and Bernardo for the male!
Animal keepers and the embassies of Peru...
Poised for New Discoveries, Smithsonian's National Zoo Opens New Genetics Labs
With test tubes filled with sparkling juice in hand, Smithsonian scientists and officials toast the new genetics lab, which the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute officially opened today at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Genetics research at the Zoo will help conservationists...
Andean Bear Cubs Gear Up for Public Debut; Public Can Weigh in on Naming the New Bears
The two Andean bear cubs, Tremarctos ornatus (also known as the spectacled bear), that were born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in mid-January are getting ready for two big events: receiving their names May 19 and making their public debut May 22.
After months of seclusion in their indoor den...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Opens New Genetics Lab
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s geneticists are ironing their lab coats and revving up their DNA sequencers for the celebration of the group’s new state-of-the-art genetics lab at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where researchers will look at life’s smallest building...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Giant Panda Tai Shan Leaves Smithsonian's National Zoo for China
Tai Shan (tie-SHON), one of the National Zoo’s giant pandas, officially began his journey to China early this morning, leaving the Zoo at 9:04 a.m. The 4 1/2-year-old panda is on his way to Dulles International Airport, where he will board a FedEx 777 plane bound for Chengdu. The non-stop flight...
National Zoo Working to Understand and Save Endangered Bats
Last November, the National Zoo accepted 40 endangered Virginia big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) to establish a security population and scientifically develop husbandry practices—a feat no one else has undertaken with this subspecies. In the months since, efforts to keep the...
Smithsonian's National Zoo Gets New Giant Pacific Octopus
At a mere three pounds, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s new giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) doesn’t appear to have earned its name. Yet not only will it grow to be more than 13 times its current size over the next year, it will also play a big role in teaching researchers and...
Study of Diversity Among Species Helps National Zoo Scientists Breed Endangered Species
Understanding how to save an animal species from dying out may depend, in part, on understanding the many unique processes that lead to birth. That is why researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are looking beyond the lab rat to learn about how other animals reproduce—and urging the rest...