Press Release Archive

Caitlin Burrell, research scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, returned from China last night April 20, with frozen giant panda semen that had been stored at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base's cryopreservation bank. The sperm may be used for an artificial insemination on the...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is mourning the loss of a 12-year-old female maned wolf named Salina, who died April 18. A histopathology report will provide more information in the coming weeks, though a necropsy revealed a large mass within her abdomen. The median...

Calaya, a western lowland gorilla, is now on exhibit at the National Zoo. Keepers describe the 12-year-old female as confident and socially-savvy. She arrived at the National Zoo from the Woodland Park Zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' western lowland...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists working together as part of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project opened a new safe haven for endangered amphibians today, April 8.

The National Zoo's rambunctious and charismatic 19-week-old Andean bear cubs have names. In a poll conducted on the Zoo's website, fans elected to name Cub 1 Mayni [MY-nee], a moniker that in the Aymara language means "unique." The name selected for Cub 2 was Muniri [moo-NEE-ree], which means...

Brandie Smith has been named associate director of Animal Care Sciences at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., effective immediately. Since 2008, Smith has served as a senior curator of mammals and the curator of giant pandas at the National Zoo. In her new role, Smith will lead the...

WHAT:Two male Andean bear cubs will receive their names and make their media debut; the public debut is Saturday, March 28 WHEN: Thursday, March 26 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m.: Media arrival and set-up WHERE:Andean Bear exhibit (bottom of the Zoo between Amazonia and American Trail) 3001...

A new study published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society by scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) found unique communities of skin bacteria on Panamanian golden frogs that survived chytridiomycosis (ki-TRID-io-MY-co-sis) infections. Chytridiomycosis is an...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo, in collaboration with Univision's ¡Despierta America!, is inviting the public to name two rambunctious and charismatic 18-week-old male Andean bear cubs. Starting today, March 16, fans can vote on the Zoo's website for their favorite among names reflecting the...

El Zoológico Nacional del Smithsonian, en colaboración con ¡Despierta América! de Univision, invita al público a elegir los nombres para dos revoltosos y carismáticos oseznos andinos machos de 18 semanas de edad. Desde hoy, 16 de marzo, las personas pueden votar en el sitio web del zoológico por sus...

Meet Cayenne, a southern tamandua now on exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Keepers describe the 1-year-old female as active and curious. She arrived at the National Zoo from the Denver Zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Southern Tamandua Species...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) scientists working as part of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project hatched the first Andinobates geminisae froglet born in human care. The tiny dart frog species only grows to 14...

China's State Forestry Administration released giant panda census data earlier today. It's good news for pandas. As the only species of bear listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and an icon for species conservation, it's vital for scientists to keep monitoring the wild population of giant...

Giant anteater Maripi gave birth to a female pup the night of January 24. Keepers monitored both Maripi and her pup via a closed circuit camera. Within 48 hours keepers became concerned that the pup was not thriving. Per Zoo protocol, keepers and veterinarians safely assessed the pup and concluded...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's attendance varies greatly throughout the year varying from a few hundred visitors per day in January to more than 25,000 visitors per day in April. To safely and securely handle the crowds, the Zoo coordinates with several security entities including Smithsonian...

This week, we will be transferring female cheetah Carmelita from the National Zoo to the Smithsonian Conservation... Posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Saturday, January 17, 2015

Congratulations to our very own FONZ volunteer Ann Bissell, named "Washingtonian of the Year" for 2014 by Washingtonian...Posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Thursday, January 15, 2015

As the year's first blanket of snow coated the Washington, D.C. area today, giant panda Bao Bao spent much of the morning playing in it for the very first time. The sixteen month-old panda cub tumbled down the hill in her outdoor enclosure, climbed trees and pounced on her mother Mei Xiang. Our...

We are sad to announce that our 17-year-old female ring-tailed lemur, Andromeda, was humanely euthanized Jan. 5. Keepers observed bleeding in Andromeda’s mouth Jan. 2, and she was transported to the vet hospital. Zoo veterinarians discovered lesions on her gums and an ulcer on the tip of her tongue...

Researchers have learned that despite strong global support for tiger conservation, the survival of the species continues to be threatened. Habitat loss, poaching and isolation are all factors leading to population decline, but a team of scientists, including Robert Fleischer and Jesus Maldonado...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating the birth of two Andean bear cubs born to 8-year-old Billie Jean Nov. 10 and 11. The Zoo announced Nov. 6 on its website, Facebook and Twitter that animal care staff observed two cubs on Billie Jean's ultrasound. Twenty-one-year-old male Cisco is the...

Dr. Donald Neiffer has been named chief veterinarian of the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., effective Oct. 20. Neiffer most recently worked as head veterinarian at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. Previous to that, he was the veterinary operations manager for Walt Disney World's Animal...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo recently welcomed the newest member of its zoological family: the North American Porcupine. Two adult porcupines named Quillby and Maude are now on exhibit adjacent to the prairie dog exhibit. Both porcupines came from a breeding facility in Pennsylvania and are...

The rusty-patched bumble bee ( Bombus affinis), which has not been seen in the eastern United States in five years, has been found by a Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute research team at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., is opening its doors—usually closed to the public—for special opportunities in October. The month kicks off with the Autumn Conservation Festival Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5. Visitors to SCBI can see endangered species and...