Press Release Archive

At approximately 8:45 a.m., a Smithsonian's National Zoo animal care staff member was bitten multiple times by a 10-year-old male Grevy's zebra named Gumu.

Two Sumatran tiger cubs took a brisk doggy paddle at the Smithsonian's National Zoo today and passed their swim reliability test. The male and female cubs, named Bandar and Sukacita (SOO-kah-CHEE-tah), were born at the Zoo Aug. 5. All cubs born at the Great Cats exhibit must undergo the swim...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is asking for help to name its female giant panda cub. Panda fans can vote for their favorite name on Smithsonian.com beginning today, Election Day, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. EST until Nov. 22. The winning name will be revealed at a ceremony Dec. 1, when the cub is 100 days...

WHAT:Two 13-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs, a male and female, will make their media debut and take a swim reliability test; their public debut is Nov. 18, weather permitting. WHEN:Wednesday, Nov. 6 Noon-12:30 p.m. WHO: Craig Saffoe, curator of Great Cats, Smithsonian's National Zoo Leigh Pitsko...

The giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo has gained almost another pound since Friday, Oct. 18, weighing in at 6.73 pounds (3.06 kilograms), and received her first vaccine at her veterinary exam this morning. Veterinarians reported that the cub is very healthy, and despite receiving a...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the loss of Sable, one of its elderly Aldabra tortoises, who died Oct. 7, and a female wrinkled hornbill, who died at the Bird House Oct. 18. Veterinarians had been treating the female tortoise, Sable, for renal failure and an upper respiratory infection...

The gates at the Smithsonian's National Zoo will open to the public Friday, Oct. 18 after the federal government shutdown. The live animal cams had also been turned off during the government shutdown, including the panda cams. The Zoo's information technology staff began the process of bringing the...

The Autumn Conservation Festival at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6 is cancelled. SCBI is closed due to the federal government shutdown. The Festival will not be rescheduled. For further updates and information, please check Facebook, Twitter or the National...

The giant panda cub born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 23 received her first veterinary exam late yesterday Sept. 16 and was given a clean bill of health. Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), who has spent much of the past three and-a-half weeks cradling the cub, put her down and left her den at 4:11 p.m...

Hellbenders, aquatic salamanders from the eastern United States, are surprisingly good at dealing with unpredictable weather. In a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found that hellbenders can experience...

The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The accreditation certifies that the National Zoo has met or exceeded the AZA's standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. In the...

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 23 at the National Zoo is female. A paternity analysis showed that the Zoo's panda Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists...

WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Zoo will announce the sex and paternity of the giant panda cub born at the National Zoo Aug. 23, and the second stillborn cub. WHO:Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive biologist Jesus Maldonado, research scientist Brandie Smith, senior curator of mammals and giant pandas...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the death of its 23-year-old Przewalski's horse, a male named Rolles, who was humanely euthanized this morning. A final pathology report will provide more information. In July, keepers observed that Rolles had some nasal discharge. Zoo veterinarians...

In the early morning hours, giant panda Mei Xiang gently placed her cub on the floor of her den. Vigilant panda cam observers were watching at 3:37 a.m. We're delighted to share the video with you on the Zoo's YouTube page! You'll see the tiny cub has a round belly which indicates to the panda team...

Scientists have studied bird migration for centuries, but it remains one of nature's great mysteries.

This morning, the panda team attempted to get the cub for a second veterinary exam. Mei Xiang was more alert and more aware of the keepers presence today, especially compared with Sunday when she seemed focused on the cub to the exclusion of everything else around her.

As kids around the area geared up for the first day of school today, the three-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo received their first veterinary exam—and they passed with roaring colors. Veterinarians determined that the two cubs are a male and a female. The male cub...

This morning, the panda team at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed the first neonatal exam (8:56 a.m.) on the giant panda cub born Friday, Aug. 23. The cub is robust, fully formed and is a bright, healthy shade of pink. It is too early to determine the sex of the cub. It weighs 137 grams...

Giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) gave birth to a cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo 5:32 p.m. The panda team heard the cub vocalize and glimpsed the cub for the first time briefly immediately after the birth. Mei Xiang picked the cub up immediately and began cradling and caring for it. Behavior...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo will welcome three female Asian elephants –Kamala, Swarna and Maharani– next spring, expanding the Zoo's existing herd to seven. They will be on loan from the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which announced in April 2012 that it would relocate its elephants...

Calgary, AB – After an extensive international search and in-depth review of available accredited facilities, Calgary Zoo officials today announced that plans have been finalized for its three female elephants — Kamala, Swarna and Maharani — to make their new home together at the Smithsonian's...

The Great Cats team at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating a conservation victory. The Zoo's female Sumatran tiger, Damai, gave birth to two cubs Monday, Aug. 5. The cubs appear healthy, and keepers have observed Damai grooming and nursing them. It's taken more than two years of...

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the birth of a female Przewalski's (Cha-VAL-skee) horse—the first to be born via artificial insemination. The foal's birth July 27 signals a huge breakthrough for the survival of this species. SCBI Reproductive Physiologist...

As economic expansion and development fragments the forest landscape of central India, the species that rely on that habitat—including endangered tigers and leopards—face dwindling populations and increased competition for food and resources. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists...