Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Two Scimitar-Horned Oryx Calves Born as Result of Artificial Insemination at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute ›
Ungulate keepers and scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating the birth of two scimitar-horned oryx calves born via non-surgical artificial insemination. A male calf was born July 9 to 6-year-old female Esmerelda, and a female calf...

Black-Footed Ferret Kits Receive Names at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute ›
After over 6,700 votes cast, the three black-footed ferret kits at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia have received their names.

Public Invited To Name Black-Footed Ferret Kits at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute ›
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute invites the public to help name three black-footed ferret kits—one female and two males—born May 19 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. Voting for the names starts Tuesday, July 20, at 10...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Scientists Find Corals’ Natural “Sunscreen” May Help Them Weather Climate Change ›
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists are one step closer to understanding why some corals can weather climate change better than others, and the secret could be in a specific protein that produces a natural sunscreen.

Black-Footed Ferrets Are Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute ›
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, are welcoming a litter of endangered black-footed ferret kits. Three-year-old female Potpie has birthed one kit already, which was born at 3:41 p.m. and can be viewed via the Black-Footed Ferret Cam.
New Model for Infectious Disease Could Better Predict Future Pandemics ›
In new study, Smithsonian scientists and partners provide a framework for a new approach to modeling infectious diseases. It adapts established methods developed to study the planet’s natural systems, including climate change, ocean circulation and forest growth, and applies them to parasites and...

What’s New at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Giant Panda Viewing Details ›
When visitors return to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute May 21, they will find both familiar and new faces as they explore the park.

Bornean Rajah Scops Owl Rediscovered After 125 Years ›
The Bornean subspecies of Rajah scops owl ( Otus brookii brookii), documented in the wild for the first time since 1892, may be its own unique species and deserving of a conservation designation. Published April 28, in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center ecologist...
Male Lesser Kudu Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the arrival of a male lesser kudu calf, who was born Mar. 29 to 7-year-old mother Rogue and 10-year-old father Garrett.

Smithsonian To Reopen Seven Museums and the National Zoo in May ›
The Smithsonian will reopen eight of its facilities to the public in May, starting with the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, Wednesday, May 5. Additional museums and the National Zoo will open Friday, May 14, and Friday, May 21.

Smithsonian Scientists Discover the Key To Mitigating Impact of Artificial Light at Night in Tropical Forests ›
Artificial light at night is a major factor in global insect decline. Smithsonian scientists and partners found that using amber-colored filters to remove the blue spectra of light from “warm white” LED (light-emitting diode) lamps drastically reduces insect attraction to nocturnal lighting in a...

Male Cheetah Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Justin (nicknamed “Gat”), a male cheetah who died unexpectedly following a brief illness. Gat was 8 years old.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and Friends of the National Zoo Dissolve Formal Partnership ›
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZP/SCBI) and the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), an independent nonprofit organization, announce the dissolution of their partnership. For nearly 63 years, FONZ has been a valued partner of the National Zoo, with a team...
Mysteries of Common Nighthawk Migration Unlocked Using GPS Tracking ›
A new study led by Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and University of Alberta biologists has created a comprehensive picture of the 10,000 kilometer migratory route of common nighthawks using GPS data. The study, published Feb. 2 in Ecography, is the first step in analyzing where and why nighthawk...
Snow Day: Smithsonian's National Zoo ›
As snow blanketed the Washington, D.C., region Jan. 31, 2021, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's animals woke up to a winter wonderland.

Elderly Dama Gazelle Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Adara, a female dama gazelle who was humanely euthanized Dec. 7. She was 14 years old.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Extends Giant Panda Agreement ›
Giant pandas, icons and ambassadors for the efforts to save the species in Washington, D.C., since 1972, will continue to live at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo through the end of 2023.

His Name Is Xiao Qi Ji ›
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s 3-month-old giant panda cub received his name today. After five days of voting and just under 135,000 votes, the winning name is Xiao Qi Ji (SHIAU-chi-ji), which translates as “little miracle” in English.

COVID Closure: A Note from the Director of the Zoo ›
A note from the Zoo's Director, Steve Monfort, on the closing of the Zoo.
Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo To Close Nov. 23 ›
Due to rising regional and national cases related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, all Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 23. This will impact the eight Smithsonian facilities in the Washington, D.C., region that had...

The Secret Social Lives of Giant Poisonous Rats ›
The African crested rat's fur is packed with a poison so lethal it can fell an elephant, and just a few milligrams can kill a human. Researchers found that it's the only mammal known to sequester plant toxins for chemical defense, and they uncovered its unexpected social life.

Public Can Vote To Name Smithsonian’s National Zoo Giant Panda Cub ›
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name the male giant panda cub, now 9.2 pounds of adorable, at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.

ZooLights Express, Powered by Pepco, Brings Eight Nights of Holiday Sparkle to Washington, D.C. Wards ›
ZooLights Express—powered by Pepco—will bring the colorful glow of Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition into the community beginning Nov. 27. Festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck will hit the road...
Giant Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji Media Resources ›
Find comprehensive resources for media on the giant panda cub.