Press Release Archive
An archive of press releases from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
![Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute welcomed a litter of cubs to mother Echo April 8. Photo: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 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.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/webcam-3-cubs-015.jpg?itok=imZmaLR1)
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 and birthed one cub already shortly after 11 a.m., which can be viewed via the Cheetah Cam.
![Asian elephant Ambika at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Elephant Trails habitat in 2016.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20160323-25am.jpg?itok=XZpMM5nE)
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 irreversible decline in her health.
![Cheetah Miti (right) and her cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in 2018. Cheetah Miti and her cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in 2018.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/mothersday_miticubs.jpg?itok=ZIjUwxmG)
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.
![Mei Xiang](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/update_mei_xiang-5_0.jpg?itok=OF9xnhAq)
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.
![Kiwi at SCBI](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20100716-231mm.jpg?itok=CVlTuIMT)
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.
![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.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/events/earth-optimism-on-easter-monday-final.jpg?itok=HUtyizMM)
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: ZooFari.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/animals/americanbison-005.jpg?itok=77aTWKLK)
Bison Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo humanely euthanized Zora, a 7-year-old bison, earlier today.
![The first two cheetah cubs born via embryo transfer. Photo: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium two cheetah cubs with their eyes closed lay in hay](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/slideshow/columbus-zoo-cheetah-cubs.jpg?itok=Spx1HWIa)
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 mom for the first time.
![Plains zebras are one of the large wild herbivore species threatened by increasing numbers of livestock in Laikipia County, Kenya. 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.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/plainszebras_ramirocrego.jpg?itok=14PyttVn)
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 study published this month reveals that whether wild herbivore species thrive or decline in Laikipia is...
![White-cheeked gibbon Sydney in his habitat at Gibbon Ridge.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20101013-523mm_sydney.jpg?itok=CuZraWB6)
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.
![Sloth bear Remi explores her habitat on Asia Trail.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/20140905-020cpm-2.jpg?itok=IULi3kvw)
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 is presented to them in the form of a photo. Animal keepers at the Zoo’s Asia Trail exhibit are the...
![Clint, the only Mariana crow living outside of Rota in the Mariana Islands, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in 2013. A Mariana crow, a bird with black feathers, perching on a branch.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/cic_4951.jpg?itok=5Gn44wV9)
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.
![Harbor seal Luke at the American Trail exhibit.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20121024-chelseagrubb70-social.jpg?itok=x3TKjY-v)
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 species.
![Dave Wildt Portrait](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/dave-wildt-portrait.jpg?itok=OxUwawtA)
David E. Wildt, Renowned Scientist and Conservationist Dies
David E. Wildt, renowned scientist and conservationist died at his home on January 15, 2020.
Supporting Wildlife Affected by Australia's Bushfires
Although we are on the other side of the world, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to protecting species and their habitats, and supporting our fellow zoos as they respond to ecological crises.
![Athena, a 1½-year-old two-toed sloth who went on exhibit Dec. 22. A southern two-toed sloth with coarse fur, long limbs and curved claws hangs upside-down from a tree branch.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/athena-sloth-003.jpg?itok=NgAGhbkS)
New Two-toed Sloth Arrives at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Small Mammal House has a new resident worth slowing down for: Athena, a 1½-year-old female two-toed sloth.
![Reproductive scientist looking through a microscope.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20191202_001pc.jpg?itok=BVGo-56w)
Smithsonian Scientists Dry and Store Live Ovarian Tissues Above Freezing Temperatures for the First Time
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have preserved complex ovarian tissues in domestic cats above freezing temperatures by dehydrating them with the help of microwaves.
![The main entrance to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, featuring trees wrapped in holiday lights, light-up pandas and a lit sign that says "ZooLights"](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/20111204-jdj-119_0.jpg?itok=Bt-MUQcV)
Media Advisory | Flip the Switch: ZooLights, Powered by Pepco
Flip the switch event to officially open ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the annual free lights festival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
![a keeper feeds a giant panda bamboo in a crate](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/bei-bei-crate.jpg?itok=-ZwEhGhf)
Giant Panda Bei Bei Departs Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China
Bei Bei the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China on Nov. 19, 2019.
![The main entrance to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, featuring trees wrapped in holiday lights, light-up pandas and a lit sign that says "ZooLights"](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/newsroom/20111204-jdj-119_0.jpg?itok=Bt-MUQcV)
ZooLights, Powered by Pepco, Begins Nov. 29
ZooLights—powered by Pepco—is bigger, brighter and better than ever this season. Visitors can join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in celebrating the holidays with its annual free lights festival. The Zoo will be illuminated for 31 nights—from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1, 2020 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31)...
![Giant panda Bei Bei stands in the branches of a tree green with foliage](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/slideshow/20191024-bei-bei-in-tree-skipbrown.jpg?itok=1UISDDJ5)
Media Advisory: Farewell Celebration for Giant Panda Bei Bei
“Bye Bye, Bei Bei” (BAY-BAY,) a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he departs for China.
![The prehensile-tailed porcupette at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Prehensile-tailed porcupette](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20191108-roshanpatel01.jpg?itok=EuIkg0qj)
Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
There is a prickle of excitement at Small Mammal House where keepers discovered that Beatrix, a 2-year-old prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette.
Media Advisory: Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Bei Bei Departs for China
Media Advisory: Giant panda Bei Bei departs for China Nov. 19.
![Poe, one of the new emperor tamarins at the Zoo's Amazonia exhibit. Visitors can see him roaming the forest canopy with his brother Fleck. An emperor tamarin, a small monkey with a long white mustache, sitting on a branch.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/649a2520.jpg?itok=mef510gI)
New Emperor Tamarins On Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to two new regally mustachioed monkeys.