News Archive

A mystery: African lions are breeding, but they’re not producing cubs. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute science sleuths are on the case! Their goal: to determine the cause of the cub “bust” by studying the hormones in female lion feces. Their findings were published a PLOS-ONE paper...

Smithsonian's National Zoo biologist Gil Myers journeyed to Gabon to participate in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Gabon Biodiversity Program. Gil's trip highlights the connections between the Zoo's exhibits in Washington, D.C. and its field activities in Gabon...

Sadly, both of the geriatric maned wolves at the Cheetah Conservation Station recently died. As a non-breeding companion pair, they were terrific ambassadors for their species, and taught visitors about the behavior and social nature of maned wolves. The exhibit will remain empty while our animal...

The National Zoo is sad to announce the death of 7-year-old golden lion tamarin Pepe, who died overnight at the Vet Hospital. A final pathology report will provide more information. The median life expectancy of a golden lion tamarin is 8 years in the wild. A few weeks ago, keepers noticed that Pepe...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) welcomed three chirping cheetah cubs Friday, Oct. 16. The cubs are genetically very important for the population of cheetahs in human care. Their mother, Sanurra, is the third-most genetically valuable female in the United States. She came to...

In late-September, our 38-year-old Asian elephant Bozie started displaying colic-like symptoms. Through blood tests, staff discovered that she has a serious infection that is affecting her appetite. Our team has been constantly monitoring Bozie, while also encouraging her to socialize and play with...

By: Lauren Augustine Happy Reptile Awareness Day! This Croc blog is going to be a little different because it's actually about gharials! I recently visited India and I was able to see two amazing species in the wild: gharial and mugger crocodile. My colleagues and I were graciously hosted by local...

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By: Lauren Augustine During the first few months of their lives, our baby Cuban crocodiles are meticulously monitored to ensure they are growing properly. In addition getting an initial weight from them after they hatched, RDC keepers frequently weigh them each month to ensure they are eating and...

All of the world's coral face global threats from ocean warming and acidification making coral reefs one of most extinction-prone ecosystems on the planet. The algae that live inside the coral are an important link in this process, and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists are...

Pollination study in southern Costa Rica on a coffee farm.

On October 8, vets performed an exam on Bei Bei. He weighed in at 5.9 pounds. His eyes are now fully open and he is getting more active and rambunctious. He also received his first vaccination. Before the full veterinary exam, our chief veterinarian Don Neiffer settled the panda cub by massaging two...

What better way is there for students to learn about the environment than being immersed in it? That’s how students at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) are learning about animals and their ecosystems. The school welcomes students and professionals from all over the world to live...

Seven loggerhead shrikes that hatched in May have become the first of their species born at SCBI to be released into the wild! Now in Canada, they're helping to bolster native populations. But why are these “butcher birds” in decline? Hear from animal keeper Chris Crowe how SCBI is trying to crack...

For the first time ever, zoos will have access to the most comprehensive information about female African lion reproduction as the result of an eight-year study from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners. The findings were published Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the scientific...

Look at those toes! Our favorite panda cam shot from our #PandaStory Flickr album this week was from user partipersian. Look at those toes! Our favorite panda cam shot from our #PandaStory Flickr album this week was from user partipersian. A photo posted by Smithsonian's National Zoo (...

Yesterday, before Bei Bei's full veterinary exam our chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer settled the little panda cub by massaging two pressure points at the base of his skull. And Bei Bei really seemed to enjoy it. He closed his eyes, rested his chin on Dr. Neiffer's hand and relaxed. #PandaStory ​...

Keepers had a chance to weigh Bei Bei on Thursday, October 1, when Mei Xiang left her den to eat. He now weighs about 5 lbs. This is an increase of a pound since he was weighed last week! Vets also did a thorough checkup and took some body measurements. Bei Bei's head to the tip of his tail measures...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. is celebrating the birth of two male Eld's deer, an endangered species native to Myannmar. The first fawn, pictured here, was born Sept. 26 to 7-year-old mother Sherri and 6-year-old father Nam Tann. On Sept. 27, a second fawn was...

The classic nose to nose nuzzle! Thanks to Janet Crouse for sharing. Post fav cam screenshots of#BeiBei˜and Mei Xiang to our#PandaStory˜Flickr group. We'll share a great one each week! Keepers had a chance to weigh Bei Bei on Oct. 1. He now weighs 4.5 lbs. (2070g)?half a pound increase since he was...

Q: What do we call a giant panda cub sneeze? A: Bei Bei choo! #PandaStory #BeiBei @michelleobama @smithsonian ​ Q: What do we call a giant panda cub sneeze? A: Bei Bei choo! #PandaStory #BeiBei @michelleobama @smithsonian A video posted by Smithsonian's National Zoo (@smithsonianzoo) on Sep 29, 2015...

Why is it difficult to breed cheetahs in human care? Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists addressed that question in a PLOS-ONE paper paper entitled, "Motile Sperm Output by Male Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) Managed Ex Situ Is Influenced by Public Exposure and Number of Care...

In summer 2015, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute celebrated the birth of seven scimitar-horned oryx calves. When keepers noticed that a female calf named Esmerelda wasn't getting the maternal care she needed, they leapt into action. Keeper Dolores Reed bottle-fed Esmerelda, and now she...

This weekend, Oct. 3 and 4, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Va., will open to the public for its annual Autumn Conservation Festival. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Festival will allow visitors to explore the scenic facility, view endangered species—such as...