1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Press Releases
Share this page:

Press Releases

Jan. 03, 2022
Smithsonian Announces Modified Schedule for Museums and National Zoo Jan. 5–17
The Smithsonian is preparing for unprecedented staff shortages in the coming weeks due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. To accommodate these shortages, the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., and... read press release
A comic depicting the annual cycle of the jaeger, page 1
Dec. 21, 2021
Arctic Birds Connect the World: Biologging Tech Tracking of Nearctic Seabirds Surprise Scientists with Diverse Migratory Paths from Shared Breeding Site
As the Arctic and the oceans warm due to climate change, understanding how a rapidly changing environment may affect birds making annual journeys between the Arctic and the high seas is vital to... read press release
Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Nov. 09, 2021
Brandie Smith Named Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Brandie Smith has been named the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, effective Nov. 9. Smith previously served as acting director of... read press release
Geoffroy's marmosets Edwin (left) and Lilo (right) sitting on a branch in their exhibit.
Nov. 08, 2021
Geoffroy's Marmoset Dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo
On Nov. 3, Small Mammal House keepers said goodbye to our last Geoffroy’s marmoset, Lilo. At 12 years old, she was considered geriatric for her species; typically, Geoffroy’s marmosets in human care... read press release
an adult golden-headed lion tamarin sits on a branch. two babies cling to her back.
Oct. 18, 2021
Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins Are Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
For the first time in 16 years, Smithsonian’s National Zoo is celebrating the birth of golden-headed lion tamarin twins.... read press release
Primate keeper administers vaccine to Bornean orangutan through safety mesh barrier
Oct. 15, 2021
Lions and Tigers Continue To Recover From COVID-19 and First Vaccines Were Administered To Susceptible Species at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The lions and tigers who tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 the week of Sept. 13 are recovering well. All are behaving, eating and drinking normally. Zoo animal care staff also administered the... read press release
Cheetah mom Rosalie nurses five cubs on a bed of straw
Oct. 12, 2021
Cheetah Cubs Are Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of five cheetah cubs today.... read press release
Oct. 08, 2021
Lions and Tigers Recovering Well at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The lions and tigers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo who tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 the week of Sept. 13 are behaving and eating normally.... read press release
SCBI biologist Adrienne Crosier transferred a 2-week-old male cheetah cub from Front Royal, Virginia, to Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
Oct. 06, 2021
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Cheetah Cub Successfully Transferred to Foster Cheetah Family in Oregon
A 2-week-old male cheetah cub from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, was transferred to a new cheetah foster mother at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon,... read press release
Oct. 01, 2021
Update on COVID-19 Positive Great Cats at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The lions and tigers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo continue to be treated for COVID-19. All tigers and lions, including the three lions noted of concern in the Sept. 24 update, are improving and... read press release
Sep. 24, 2021
Update on COVID-19 Positive Great Cats at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The lions and tigers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo continue to be treated for COVID-19. All tigers and three lions are eating normally and improving. Three lions are of greater concern.... read press release
Male cheetah cub being bottle-fed formula.
Sep. 20, 2021
Animal Care Staff Are Hand-rearing Cheetah Cub at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are hand-raising a male cheetah cub for several weeks before placing the cub with a foster cheetah mother at another zoo.... read press release
Male adult African lion
Sep. 17, 2021
Great Cats Tested Presumptive Positive For COVID-19 at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Six African lions, a Sumatran tiger and two Amur tigers have tested presumptive positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Last weekend, animal keepers observed decreased appetites, coughing,... read press release
Endangered Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) in the ocean.
Sep. 07, 2021
Smithsonian and Partners Pioneer Method To Boost Endangered Coral Populations Separated by Vast Distances
Scientists from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and partners have become the first to use cryopreserved (frozen) coral sperm to support gene migration of Caribbean coral populations... read press release
Giant pandas Xiao Qi Ji (foreground) and Mei Xiang (background) celebrate Xiao Qi Ji's birthday with a panda-friendly fuitsicle cake.
Aug. 21, 2021
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji Celebrated First Birthday At Smithsonian’s National Zoo
This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s (SHIAU-chi-ji) first birthday with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.... read press release
Aug. 16, 2021
Media Advisory: Xiao Qi Ji’s First Birthday Celebration
Media are invited to a presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji, his mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian. RSVP required, not open to the public.... read press release
Two scimitar-horned oryx calves in a pasture with adult oryx.
Aug. 12, 2021
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... read press release
A keeper wearing a blue apron and blue, latex gloves holds three black-footed ferret kits in their hands. You cannot see the keepers' face. The kits eyes are not fully open yet, one has one eye open.
Jul. 27, 2021
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.... read press release
A keeper wearing a blue apron and blue, latex gloves holds three black-footed ferret kits in their hands. You cannot see the keepers' face. The kits eyes are not fully open yet, one has one eye open.
Jul. 20, 2021
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... read press release
blue-hued chromoproteins in Hawaiian blue rice coral may make it more resilient to UV rays and climate change than corals that are brown in color
Jun. 09, 2021
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... read press release