Press Release Archive

The membership of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has elected Dennis Kelly, Director of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, to the position of Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. The AZA community recognizes Dennis's strong leadership abilities, said AZA President and CEO Jim...

One hundred years after the extinction of the passenger pigeon, the nation's top bird science and conservation groups have come together to publish The State of the Birds 2014—the most comprehensive review of long-term trend data for U.S. birds ever conducted.

In honor of its 125th anniversary, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is once again home to American bison, the animal that began the Zoo's living collection in 1889 and sparked the conservation movement. The American Bison exhibit, sponsored by Continental Building Products, opens to the public...

WHAT: Media preview and name reveal of the National Zoo's two female American bison. The American Bison Exhibit opens to the public Aug. 30. WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 27 9:30 a.m. WHERE: Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Park in the Bus Parking Lot, in the left lane perpendicular to...

The National Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bao Bao's first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony. During a traditional Zhuazhou ceremony, symbolic objects are placed in front of a baby. The item that the baby reaches for first...

WHAT:A traditional Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony for giant panda cub Bao Bao ( Media opportunity only. Not open to the public. Public celebration begins at 11 a.m.) WHEN:Saturday, Aug. 23 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. WHERE:Giant Panda Habitat Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W. ( Please note...

A female red panda, Shama, was euthanized at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., Saturday, Aug. 16. A necropsy performed later that evening revealed severe cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). Based on preliminary cytology, the swelling is attributed to...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the SVF Foundation announced July 23 the launch of the Smithsonian & SVF Biodiversity Preservation Project to strengthen rare and endangered livestock breed conservation through the preservation and study of frozen germplasm (semen and embryos)...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo humanely euthanized its last Sulawesi macaque, a 27-year-old male named Spock, this morning. The median lifespan for this species is about 18 years. Like many elderly animals, Spock had arthritis in his knee and ankle joints. In 2003 and 2004, Zoo veterinarians...

All four red panda pairs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., successfully bred and had cubs this year. Of the 10 cubs, more born at SCBI than any other year, seven have survived. The latest pair to have cubs was Shama and Rusty, who are best known to the public...

The National Zoo's three new female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23) — made their public debut in one of the outdoor yards on Elephant Trails for the first time Monday, June 23. After arriving at the Zoo May 23, the elephants spent 30 days in quarantine per standard...

Thank you for expressing your appreciation for the National Zoo's Invertebrate Exhibit and your concern about its closing. We value your feedback and would like to clarify why we have made this very difficult decision. When the Invertebrate Exhibit opened in 1987, it was a groundbreaking venue. As...

The National Zoo's new three female Asian elephants—Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23)—will be out of quarantine and will have their public debut outside for the first time Monday, June 23.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo Invertebrate Exhibit, home to dozens of small aquatic and terrestrial species without backbones, will close to the public Sunday, June 22. The last day to visit the Invertebrate Exhibit is Saturday, June 21. This difficult decision is not a reflection of the importance...

The four youngest members of the African lion pride at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are making their public debut today at noon at the Great Cats Exhibit. Born March 2 to mother Shera and father Luke, the 14-week-old cubs passed their swim test in May and have received all their vaccinations. They...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated several births recently. During the past several weeks 31 new residents have been born, many of which were endangered species. A short-eared elephant shrew was born May 8 at the Zoo's Small Mammal House. The short-eared...

Asian elephants Kamala (39), Swarna (39) and Maharani (23) arrived safely at the Smithsonian's National Zoo at 10:55 a.m. They are on loan from the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and will join the Zoo's herd of four Asian elephants Ambika (66), Shanthi (39), Bozie (38) and Kandula (12)...

When did the elephants leave the Calgary Zoo? Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 2:30p.m. How do you move an elephant? Custom-made, 10,000-pound elephant-sized travel crates will keep the females contained and safe while on the move. Calgary Zoo keepers worked slowly and diligently to ensure that the elephants...

As part of the Worldwide InstaMeet and the National Zoo's ongoing 125th anniversary celebration, the Zoo invites Instagrammers from across the Washington, D.C., region to help create a digital “weekend in the life of the Zoo” portrait all day Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. Instagrammers...

The #EndangeredSong campaign continued this evening at the Smithsonian's National Zoo with a free stripped-down concert by Portugal. The Man. It was the first time the band had performed the #EndangeredSong, titled "Sumatran Tiger," for a live audience. The song will become part of their set list...

WHAT: Portgual. The Man will perform a free stripped down concert at the Smithsonian's National Zoo as part of the #EndangeredSong campaign. WHEN: Monday, May 12 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Please note: The band goes on promptly at 6:30 p.m. Media may arrive at 5:30 p.m.) WHERE: Band Shell at Lion/Tiger...

Four African lion cubs took a brisk paddle at the Smithsonian's National Zoo today and passed their swim reliability test. The cubs--three males and one female--were born at the Zoo March 2. All cubs born at the Great Cats exhibit must undergo the swim reliability test and prove that they are ready...

WHAT:Four 9-week-old African lion cubs will take a swim reliability test (weather permitting) prior to their public debut in June. Following the swim test, two 14-week-old lion cubs will venture into a nearby exhibit as part of their yard introduction process. The older litter will debut to the...

A six-year-old male brown kiwi named Koa died during the weekend at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. He had not exhibited any warning signs of clinical illness and was found dead in his exhibit unexpectedly the morning of April 26 at the Bird House. As is standard procedure a necropsy, or animal...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and National Zoo announced today, Earth Day, the launch of the Endangered Song Project, an analog-meets-digital awareness campaign that calls upon 400 participants to use their social media strength to spread the message that there are only 400 Sumatran...