Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute reproductive biologist Dr. Janine Brown has been named this year's winner of the Morris Animal Foundation's Innovation in Veterinary Medicine Award. The tribute celebrates Brown's expansive career in developing pioneering reproductive techniques for...
Come see the Smithsonian's National Zoo in a whole new light during ZooLights—powered by Pepco! Beginning Nov. 23, Friends of the National Zoo invites guests to stroll through the Zoo under the glow of thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights. ZooLights is 24 nights this year—the most in its...
This holiday season, shop at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for gifts your loved ones will give a hoot, whoop and roar about! Spot a great find for the animal person in your life during your next visit to the Zoo, or shop the online catalogue. By giving a Zoo gift, you become a conservationist—all...
The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a unique program in terms of its academic offerings and contributions to the field of conservation, celebrated the completion of its expansive new academic facilities today, Oct. 18, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va...
After examining the giant panda cub that died six days after it was born to mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the Zoo's team of pathologists found that lung and liver damage ultimately caused the death of the panda cub. The poorly developed lungs likely caused the cub...
The Smithsonian's National Zoo euthanized a young black howler monkey, Loki, Sunday, Oct. 7, because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease. This disease is a vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus imbalance. It is most often caused by lack of sunlight (ultraviolet light), lack of...
Friends of the National Zoo calls all baking enthusiasts to enter the annual Gin-GRR-Bread Habitat Contest at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. This year's theme is, A Winter's Tail on the American Trail. American Trail is the newest exhibit at the National Zoo and is home to four California sea lions...
The 14th annual Boo at the Zoo promises to be a howling good time filled with costumed families and fun at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Oct. 26, 27, and 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), Boo at the Zoo offers kids ages two to 12 a safe atmosphere to trick...
Pathologists at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed a necropsy (animal autopsy) Sept. 23 on the six-day-old giant panda cub that died earlier that morning. A final pathology report will provide more information in the next few weeks, but the preliminary report suggests two potential...
The Smithsonian's National Zoo's female giant panda Mei Xiang gave Panda Cam viewers another sneak peek of her cub, born Sunday Sept. 16. At about 7:54 a.m. Sept. 20, Mei Xiang gently picked the squealing cub up in her mouth before placing it on the ground to groom it. Keepers continue to be...
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced Sept. 19 that the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been awarded Top Honors for the 2012 AZA International Conservation Award for its Scientific Approaches to Conservation of Giant Pandas and Their Habitat program and Significant...
Smithsonian's National Zoo staff and Panda Cam watchers have gotten several quick glimpses of female giant panda Mei Xiang's cub since its birth Sept. 16 at 10:46 p.m. In this video from Sept. 17. at about 8:35 p.m. EST, Mei Xiang cradles the newborn and picks it up in her mouth as she shifts...
Olympic medalists Justin Gatlin and Carmelita Jeter had a playful behind-the-scenes encounter today with the two cheetah cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo that were named after the athletes. Although the cubs did not show much interest in the Olympic medals the athletes held up, the cats...
Put on your dancing shoes, tease your hair, break out your acid wash jeans, pull on your legwarmers and get ready to rock! Friends of the National Zoo is hosting its first ever 80s dance party-themed Rock-N-Roar Sept. 27, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Musical guest...
USA Track & Field Olympic sprinters Carmelita Jeter and Justin Gatlin will be at the Smithsonian's National Zoo this Thursday, Sept. 13, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to meet the Zoo's two cheetah cubs, Carmelita and Justin. The athletes will also sign autographs for visitors at the Cheetah...
A team of Smithsonian scientists joined more than 200 others around the world to examine if giving protected status to a tropical forest offered adequate protection to the plants and animals within its borders. They found that in almost half the cases it did not. The team's findings are published...
After five years of planning and construction, the National Zoo will open the new American Trail exhibit to the public Saturday, Sept. 1, at noon. The renovated area in the extensive lower valley between Elephant Trail and Amazonia will transport visitors to the Pacific Northwest where they will...
American Trail showcases species that are gems of North American wildlife, and treasures to us all. These animals represent the triumph of the American spirit and conservation success stories. The majority of American Trail species have rebounded after facing severe threats. Many of the residents of...
Visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo can now see its three-month-old fishing cat kittens exploring, playing, climbing and fishing on Asia Trail. The kittens and their mother, Electra, will be on exhibit from approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, weather permitting. They are most active in...