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Press Releases

White-cheeked gibbon Sydney in his habitat at Gibbon Ridge.
Feb. 11, 2020
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
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
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
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 died at his home on January 15, 2020. read press release
Bennett's wallaby
Jan. 15, 2020
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... read press release
A southern two-toed sloth with coarse fur, long limbs and curved claws hangs upside-down from a tree branch.
Dec. 23, 2019
The Small Mammal House has a new resident worth slowing down for: Athena, a 1½-year-old female two-toed sloth. read press release...
Scientist looking through a microscope while dehydrating live ovarian tissues.
Dec. 04, 2019
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.... read press release
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"
Nov. 22, 2019
Flip the switch event to officially open ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the annual free lights festival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.  ... read press release
Giant panda Bei Bei leans back in his hammock eating bamboo.
Nov. 19, 2019
Bei Bei the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China on Nov. 19, 2019. read press release
Entre Les Rangs / City field, a creation by Kanva Architecture, Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal.
Nov. 18, 2019
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... read press release
Giant panda Bei Bei sniffs an elaborate and colorful ice cake with bamboo sticking out from the top
Nov. 16, 2019
“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.... read press release
Prehensile-tailed porcupette
Nov. 08, 2019
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.... read press release
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Nov. 07, 2019
Media Advisory: Giant panda Bei Bei departs for China Nov. 19. read press release
An emperor tamarin, a small monkey with a long white mustache, sitting on a branch.
Oct. 29, 2019
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to two new regally mustachioed monkeys.  read press release
Lesser kudu female Rogue with her newborn male calf behind the scenes at the Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station.
Oct. 24, 2019
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the arrival of a male lesser kudu calf, who was born Oct. 14 to 5-year-old mother Rogue and 9-year-old father... read press release
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a stalk of bamboo.
Oct. 18, 2019
Giant panda Bei Bei will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Tuesday, Nov. 19.  read press release
A keeper holds two 11-pound Aldabra tortoises.
Oct. 09, 2019
The newest residents at Reptile Discovery Center are in no rush to grow up. The two 5-year-old Aldabra tortoises debuted in late September.... read press release
Lesser kudu Shirley (right) with her grandson, Kushukuru (middle), and daughter, Rogue (left).
Oct. 03, 2019
Cheetah Conservation Station keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a female lesser kudu named Shirley, who died Sept. 28 following complications during the birthing... read press release
Three Bennett's wallabies eating leaves from a branch placed in their yard.
Sep. 23, 2019
Sydney, a 3-year-old Bennett’s wallaby, died Sept. 20 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. read press release