News Archive

August is Asian Elephant Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating with stories and fun facts about this endearing—and critically endangered—species.

Smithsonian scientists are exploring a radical effort to preserve and safeguard biological samples from important and at-risk species inside the cold craters of the Moon.

Small Mammal House keepers have confirmed the sexes of our 4-month-old pygmy slow loris babies. It’s a boy…and a girl!

Smithsonian ecologist Ellen Welti was awarded the Frontiers Planet Prize for her work on the halted recovery of European freshwater biodiversity.

A groundbreaking new initiative will address the question of how improvements in the environment and health are financed in 21st-century African landscapes.

In honor of National Zookeeper Week, we're recognizing some of the dedicated professionals who go above and beyond for the animals in our care!

Three fluffy feathered friends have joined the flock at our Front Royal, Virginia, campus: one whooping crane and two red-crowned crane chicks!

For the Zoo’s insect-eating residents, no meal is complete without live, nutrient-packed bugs.

Staff are mourning the loss of 19-year-old female California sea lion, who was euthanized June 27.

Each kit in the litter is currently gaining around 1% of its body weight per day. Watch them on our Black-footed Ferret Cam.

Recently, our Great Cats team bid farewell to African lion Amahle, who moved to another zoo to breed. Keeper Katy Juliano shares how Amahle's mother, Shera, is adjusting in this update.

A new study warns that increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere may decrease the nutrient contents of plants and could cause further population declines farther up the ecological chain.

In June, we're celebrating World Ocean Month! Learn about some of the amazing aspects of corals and how they shape our world.

In March, we celebrated two pygmy slow loris births! Now, the bright-eyed babies are getting braver and exploring their exhibit.

In May, our Small Mammal House team said goodbye to two beloved tamanduas: Manny and Cayenne.

Smithsonian graduate fellow Johnny Stutzman shares how mentors can mold a scientific career in our latest Focus on the Future.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, by the end of the year.

One year ago, our Primate team celebrated the much anticipated birth of a western lowland gorilla: Zahra!

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 this week.

When the Zoo's newest Allen's swamp monkey was rejected by his mother after birth, a team of staffers stepped up to care for the infant while he was young.

Smithsonian postdoctoral fellow Fernanda Abra was recognized for her pioneering work to build and monitor low-cost canopy bridges over Highway BR-174 in the Amazon rainforest, protecting tree-dwelling mammals from road impacts.

This Amphibian Week, take a closer look at what makes these species so wonderfully weird and worthy of our attention.

All it took was one hands-on experience with birds to get postdoctoral fellow Todd Jones hooked. Now, he's conducting ground-breaking research on a critical stage of birds' lives.

Experienced mom Victoria and first-time dad Winton welcomed a new joey, who is now starting to explore.

Our Cheetah Cub Cam is winding down for the season. Read the latest update on the future of the cheetah breeding program... and say hello to some old friends!