Give the Gift of Membership
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Support animal conservation and wildlife research by giving the animal-lover in your life all the benefits of Zoo membership.
Enjoy Holiday Magic at ZooLights
Light up the night with ZooLights! Take a stroll through an enchanting winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights, hot cocoa, live music, train rides and other family-friendly entertainment.
LATEST STORIES
Helping Giant Pandas Feel at Home
A few weeks after their arrival, staff are helping giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao settle into their new home at Asia Trail.
Giant Pandas Arrive From China
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Tuesday, Oct. 15
Winter Habitat Impacts Migration
A new study shows environmental conditions in migratory birds’ winter homes affect their ability to survive the rest of the year.
A Life-Preserving Cheetah Surgery
With the help of 3D modeling technology, a team of veterinary experts successfully carried out a rare spinal surgery on a female cheetah cub.
Arapaima, the Freshwater Giants
Reaching up to 10 feet (3 meters) long, arapaima are the largest freshwater fish in South America. Learn what else makes these animals unique.
Kiwi Feathers Repatriated
Kiwi feathers collected from across the U.S. and Europe will soon be heading home in a repatriation effort between the U.S. and New Zealand.
Happy World Gorilla Day
This summer has been eventful for our youngest western lowland gorilla, Zahra, who will be 16 months old on Sept. 27. Read primate keeper Francesca Bozzo's update!
NZCBI Receives Accreditation
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Live Bird Friendly® and Support Birds
When you purchase Bird Friendly® certified coffee or cocoa, you preserve critical habitat for birds and wildlife, fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and support farmers committed to farming sustainably.
We Save Species
Our scientists and researchers play a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.
Explore our conservation programs at the Zoo and our research headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia.
The Bears Are Back in Town
Discover our collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs and other limited edition gear while supporting conservation. Now available in color!
Live Streaming Webcams
See elephants, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.