News Archive

A new paper describes a dragonfly’s full life cycle for the first time. Insects are a critical driver of food webs, so figuring out why their populations are falling dramatically is important for the future success of a wide range of species.

Twelve whooping cranes, one of the most endangered species of crane in the world, moved to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, Dec. 16. The six mated-pairs will be the founding members of SCBI’s whooping crane research and breeding program, and the chicks that...

After months of anticipation, the naked mole-rat colony at the Small Mammal House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo finally has a queen—the only breeding female in a colony.

Western lowland gorilla infant Moke is making noise—with enrichment!

Smithsonian scientists and partners in Florida and Curaçao have become the first to use cryopreserved (frozen) coral sperm to support gene migration of coral populations that would otherwise remain geographically and genetically isolated.

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) are mourning the loss of Henry, a 4-year-old male red panda, who died overnight Dec. 5.

The New Year will bring in some new changes to the panda house. Beginning Dec. 5, the panda house at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat may occasionally close during weekday mornings to allow for the installation of a brand new exhibit!

Did you know that red pandas have a unique way of picking up scents left by other red pandas? Get the scoop from Asia Trail keeper Mariel Lally.

Hop on down to the Reptile Discovery Center to see the Zoo’s newest—and most colorful—creatures: red-eyed tree frogs! Get the scoop on the Zoo’s amazing amphibians from assistant curator Matt Evans.

The secret to salamanders’ survival may be in their slimy secretions. Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are swabbing salamanders in Shenandoah, looking for disease-fighting microbes that live in the mucus on their skin.

As part of the Bird-Friendly Coffee initiative, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center ecologist Robert Rice and partners are gearing up to find out which trees in shade coffee farms supply the most food resources for birds.

Our 7-month-old western lowland gorilla Moke received his flu shot this month! Get the latest news on him in our keeper update.

Three-year-old giant panda played and tumbled in the snow Thursday, Nov. 15.

What has 7-month-old western lowland gorilla Moke been up to? Read all about it in the latest keeper update!

Smithsonian’s National Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to find gifts for family and friends at GRUMP, a European-style outdoor market, Dec. 7, 8 and 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. during ZooLights, powered by Pepco.

ZooLights, powered by Pepco, is bigger and brighter than ever this season! Celebrate the holidays at this annual free lights festival at the Zoo.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a new fawn to its herd of endangered Eld’s deer Oct. 26.

Cheetah Conservation Station keepers are celebrating a dama gazelle baby boom! Two young calves, Gustav and Amaya, recently made their debut. Learn all about the newest members of our herd from assistant curator Gil Myers.

What sounds does an infant orangutan make? Primate keeper Erin Stromberg filmed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s 2-year-old Bornean orangutan Redd as he pleaded with his mother to share her food. Get the scoop on this and his latest milestones in this Q&A with Stromberg.

Read the latest update on six-month-old western lowland gorilla infant Moke.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and American Prairie Reserve are collaborating to protect and restore one of North America’s greatest treasures — the prairie.

For the first time, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have successfully cryopreserved (or frozen) and thawed coral larvae from the mushroom coral.

Insect-eating birds that depend on high-calorie, high-protein cuisine (namely caterpillars and spiders) to feed their young are finding the menu severely lacking in backyards landscaped with even a small proportion of nonnative plants, according to a new study from SCBI.

As part of our community, we'd like to invite you to visit the Zoo's bird plateau to learn more about Experience Migration.