Press Release Archive

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.

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 Disease Unit and Turkana Basin Institute have been awarded a five-year, $4.98 million grant to study...

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.

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia welcomed a litter of endangered black-footed ferrets last week. One-year-old female Hickory gave birth to six surviving kits May 27.

For the first time in five years, primate staff are celebrating the birth of a western lowland gorilla—a critically endangered species. It was born between midnight and 6:15 a.m. May 27 to mother Calaya and father Baraka.

For the first time in 16 years, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., is celebrating the birth of three meerkats.

Every spring and fall billions of birds fly thousands of miles to reach their breeding and wintering grounds, yet some of the most basic details of these astonishing avian pilgrimages remain murky. In two studies published today in Movement Ecology, Nathan Cooper, research ecologist for the...

Just in time for spring break, two male Andean bear cubs named Sean and Ian are now on view.

Two male Andean bear cubs make their outdoor debut March 27, 2023.

Primate staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., are making preparations for the highly anticipated birth of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla.

Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, delivered these remarks at the Eleanor Holmes Norton Town Hall event on March 15, 2023.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute invites visitors to soar into its renovated Bird House, open Monday, March 13, 2023.

Eating chocolate is now better for birds, humans and the planet. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has expanded its Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification program to include standards for cocoa farming. This is the only certification that guarantees 100% of the cocoa...

A reply to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton entry pass inquiry.

A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) has died.

Two new female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi (trong-nEE) and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh (nEE-lin), are now on public view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., having completed quarantine following their Nov. 7 arrival...

Washington D.C.’s beloved free, family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, powered by Pepco, returns to brighten the season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The Zoo will be illuminated for 22 select nights—from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Read on...

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh, to Washington, D.C.

Read curator of birds, Sara Hallager's testimony on Bill 24-710 before the Washington, D.C., City Council.

Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old.

A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire.

Carnivore keepers in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. They appear to be strong, active, vocalizing and nursing well. Animal care staff are closely monitoring Amani and...

The Fort Belknap Indian Community commemorated three years of its swift fox recovery program with the release of three swift foxes on Tribal lands, bringing the total to 103 recovered back to these prairie grasslands.

Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are grieving the loss of Nababiep, a female African lion affectionately called Naba, who was humanely euthanized Sept. 26. She was 18 years old.