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Press Releases

Nov. 8, 2023: Giant panda Mei Xiang departs the Zoo.
Nov. 08, 2023
Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji began their journey to China this morning. ... read press release
Oct. 27, 2023
The public has voted and now the 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s (NZCBI) Bird House have names! ... read press release
Photo of a prairie dog eating a blade of grass against the backdrop of the American prairie.
Oct. 24, 2023
Specialized technologies offer a new perspective into the lives of endangered black-footed ferrets and their prairie dog prey.... read press release
Oct. 23, 2023
In a major conservation success, 10 oriole chicks hatched at the Bird House, and the Zoo is seeking the public’s help to name them. ... read press release
People walk down Olmstead Walk at night with trees wrapped in various colored lights along the right and hedges wrapped in green lights on the left.
Oct. 06, 2023
Washington, D.C.’s beloved family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, returns to brighten the holiday season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.... read press release
Pedestrian entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Connecticut Ave.
Sep. 29, 2023
In the event of a government shutdown on Oct. 1, Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo will remain OPEN through at least Oct. 7.  read... read press release
Cheetah mother Echo with five cubs born Sept. 12, 2023
Sep. 21, 2023
Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating a litter of five cheetah cubs born to 8-year-old adult female... read press release
Sep. 18, 2023
Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to beloved giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji in celebration of Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell event. ... read press release
A porcupine with an overlaid Halloween-style pig mask appears next to the words "Boo at the Zoo".
Sep. 11, 2023
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, is back! The Zoo will be brimming with festive displays and spook-tacular trick-or-treating for this... read press release
Female giant panda Mei Xiang stands in a grassy, mulch-covered area
Sep. 06, 2023
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will celebrate its three giant pandas before the bears depart for China later this year. Visitors are invited to join the... read press release
Aug. 29, 2023
The Zoo was temporarily closed due to a bomb threat on Tuesday, Aug. 29.  read press release
Aug. 27, 2023
Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Tian Tian’s 26th birthday with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake. read press release
An underwater photo of a bleached coral next to a healthy coral. The healthy coral is vibrant and colorful, while the bleached coral is a stark white.
Aug. 23, 2023
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) researchers have achieved a breakthrough in the fight to save the world’s coral reefs from climate change annihilation.... read press release
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji approaches his third birthday cake.
Aug. 21, 2023
This morning, Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Xiao Qi Ji’s third birthday at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. ... read press release
Aug. 14, 2023
The Smithsonian's National Zoo will celebrate "miracle cub" Xiao Qi Ji's 3rd birthday on Monday, Aug. 21.... read press release
Giant panda Mei Xiang celebrates her 25th birthday with a fruitsicle cake.
Jul. 22, 2023
Asia Trail keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., celebrated giant panda Mei Xiang’s 25th birthday.... read press release
Addax Terri rests beside a fence at the Africa Trail exhibit.
Jun. 15, 2023
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is mourning the loss of a 2-year-old female addax named Terri who died June 12.... read press release
After five days of public voting and just under 24,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.
Jun. 09, 2023
After five days of public voting and just under 25,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili. read... read press release
Caravan of camels moving across the edge of the Chalbi Desert in Marsabit County, Kenya.
Jun. 06, 2023
 The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI)’s Global Health Program and partners including the International Livestock Research Institute, Government of Kenya Zoonotic... read press release
Western lowland gorilla infant cradled in her mother's arms. She is looking up at the viewer with her mouth open, appearing to be smiling.
Jun. 05, 2023
Starting today, June 5, western lowland gorilla fans will have an opportunity to vote on a name for a baby gorilla born May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.... read press release