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Press Releases

Mei Xiang sitting in grass eating bamboo.
Sep. 11, 2019
Giant Panda Mei Xiang Is Not Pregnant
Reproductive scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute have determined that giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) will not give... read press release
A clouded leopard cub with a pink nose and spots that look like clouds.
Sep. 10, 2019
First Ever Clouded Leopard Cubs Debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
For the first time, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to rare clouded leopard cubs. The two cubs are the newest residents on the Zoo’s Asia Trail and will make their public debut Wednesday, Sept... read press release
A clouded leopard cub looking into the camera.
Sep. 09, 2019
Clouded Leopard Cub Media Preview
Two rare clouded leopard cubs will make their media debut on Asia Trail. They are the first cubs to ever live at the Zoo.  read press release
Aug. 30, 2019
Fall 2019 Events at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Listed below are events being held at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from September through December. read press release
California Sea Lion Pup
Aug. 22, 2019
Sea Lion Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
American Trail keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of a 3-year-old female California sea lion named Catalina, who died Aug. 20.... read press release
Bei Bei eating his frozen cake made of diluted juice and fruit.
Aug. 22, 2019
Giant Panda Bei Bei Celebrates His Fourth Birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Bei Bei (BAY-BAY) turned 4 years old today, Aug. 22. The Department of Nutrition Science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo made him a panda-friendly frozen cake as a birthday treat. ... read press release
Juvenile dama gazelle
Aug. 15, 2019
Juvenile Dama Gazelle Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the loss of an 11-month-old male dama gazelle named Gustav who died Aug. 7. read press... read press release
Hereford calf Willow at the Kids' Farm.
Aug. 15, 2019
Hereford Calf Debuts at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Kids’ Farm keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed a new member to the cattle herd—a 10-month-old female Hereford calf named Willow. Her arrival bumps the number of cattle at the Kids’... read press release
Red-fronted Lemur Flare at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Lemur Island habitat.
Aug. 07, 2019
Elderly Red-Fronted Lemur Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Primate keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are mourning the loss of Flare, an elderly red-fronted lemur who was humanely euthanized Aug. 6. At 33 years old, she was one of the oldest red-... read press release
An endangered purple fringeless orchid.
Aug. 06, 2019
Citizen Scientists Discover Endangered Orchid in Virginia
Local citizen scientists working with the Changing Landscapes Initiative and Virginia Working Landscapes, both programs of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), discovered a rare... read press release
A Kirtland's warbler perched on a branch.
Jul. 31, 2019
Kirtland’s Warbler No Longer Needs Protection from Brown-Headed Cowbird in Michigan
For the past 40 years, brown-headed cowbirds have been trapped and killed in Michigan to prevent them from laying eggs in endangered Kirtland’s warbler nests—causing warbler parents to care for... read press release
A newborn scimitar-horned oryx calf with tan skin and large ears stands in the grass near its mother, an oryx named Chari, and another adult oryx
Jul. 16, 2019
Critically Endangered Scimitar-horned Oryx Calves Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's herd of scimitar-horned oryx is growing. Keepers welcomed five calves during the past few weeks.... read press release
A small green lizard, called an Asian water dragon, with scaly skin, a long, thin, striped tail, small spikes along its spine and short claws on its digits
Jul. 05, 2019
Asian Water Dragon Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A 2-year-old female Asian water dragon who was the first documented birth by facultative parthenogenesis in her species died from blood cancer.... read press release
A male African lion laying on the ground with greenery in the background
Jul. 01, 2019
Male African Lions in Human Care Hit Puberty Earlier Than in the Wild
Lion cubs grow up fast, and even faster in zoos. In a long-term study, scientists at SCBI found that male African lions living in human care hit puberty a full year earlier than their counterparts in... read press release
A sea lion pup born June 23, 2019, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo falls asleep while nursing with its mother
Jun. 28, 2019
Sea Lion Pup Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A new set of flippers splashed down at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where American Trail keepers are celebrating the arrival of a California sea lion pup. Animal care staff are closely monitoring the... read press release
Red panda cub being weighed.
Jun. 25, 2019
Endangered Red Panda Cub Born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Moonlight, a 4-year-old red panda, gave birth to a cub overnight June 12 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Moonlight and the cub appear to be doing well and... read press release
A hooded crane chick in the grass.
Jun. 19, 2019
Keepers Help Vulnerable Hooded Crane Hatch at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
A small beak broke through one of the hooded crane eggs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, June 12.... read press release
Asian water dragon mother (top) and parthenogenic offspring (bottom).
Jun. 05, 2019
Scientists Confirm Facultative Parthenogenesis in Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian Water Dragon
Life found a way at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where a female Asian water dragon at the Reptile Discovery Center underwent facultative parthenogenesis—that is, she reproduced and contributed a... read press release
Following remarks, Smokey Bear; Steven Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; Jim Hubbard, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and P
May. 23, 2019
Smokey Bear Exhibit Opens at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A new Smokey Bear outdoor exhibit opened May 23 inviting visitors to look back in time to the mid-20th century, when a black bear cub was rescued from a forest fire and placed under the Zoo’s care.... read press release
May. 21, 2019
Media Advisory: Public Invited to Smokey Bear Exhibit Opening
A new Smokey Bear outdoor exhibit will open at Smithsonian’s National Zoo Thursday, May 23, inviting visitors to look back at the legacy of one of the most famous residents in the Zoo’s 130-year... read press release