News Archive

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists and collaborators have found that the island scrub-jay's population on Santa Cruz Island—its only habitat—is significantly smaller than previously believed and that it is therefore at greater risk of extinction.

For clouded leopards, home is where the height is. After more than 30 years of studying clouded leopards, Zoo scientists have solved many puzzles about this perplexing species, starting with the biggest: figuring out just what a clouded leopard wants out of its habitat. It turns out that clouded...

ZooLights—powered by Pepco—at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is wilder than ever this year and a perfect holiday event for everyone in the family! The annual lights festival, hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, is 25 nights—longer than it has ever been in its six-year history—and it is free!

The newest additions at the Reptile Discovery Center at the Smithsonian's National Zoo were a surprise even to the keepers: eight tentacled snakes, born Oct. 21 to parents that have not produced viable young in the four years the Zoo has had them, despite breeding attempts. Tentacled snakes are...

Every year more than 4 million people enjoy the popular Appalachian Trail, which extends from Maine to Georgia and is surrounded by forests as well as agricultural and residential development. However, just as humans depend on the land, so, too, does the native wildlife. With the help of citizen...

Every year more than 4 million people enjoy the popular Appalachian Trail, which extends from Maine to Georgia and is surrounded by forests as well as agricultural and residential development. However, just as humans depend on the land, so, too, does the native wildlife. With the help of citizen...

Do you wonder what the world looks like from an animal's point of view? While visiting a zoo, have you ever looked at an object placed in an exhibit, a log or toy, for instance, and wondered why it was there? An exhibit's design is carefully and deliberately planned, not only to ensure the comfort...

Hurricane Sandy has come and gone here and the cats and keepers weathered the storm with no problems. On Sunday, the day before the rain started, we cleaned out gutters and drains, raked leaves, and placed sandbags at the doors. While we certainly got a lot of rain, it did not come all at once as it...

Coral reefs around the world are being impacted at an alarming rate. Globally, coral reefs face rising ocean temperatures and resulting ocean acidification. Locally, reefs face many other threats from tourism to building runoff, further compounding their degradation. In the very near future, many...

A team of scientists and keepers is traveling all over the eastern United States this year to study a unique and amazing animal: the hellbender. The hellbender ( Cryptobranchus alleganiesis) is a the largest salamander in North America, third largest in the world behind the Chinese and Japanese...

For 9 years we have monitored the small mammals and migratory birds in 12 areas, 6 of which were fenced to exclude deer. As the profile of under story characteristics changes, it may serve as an indicator for the potential of vertebrate species to live in these forests. Managing for deer may serve...

Last month, the Smithsonian's National Zoo celebrated the birth of its sprightly male dama gazelle calf, born Sept. 4 to mother Fahima. Five weeks later, three-year-old Zafirah gave birth to a female calf in the early morning Oct. 13, bringing the Zoo's dama gazelle herd to seven individuals. Raul...

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and George Mason University formalized a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Oct. 26 aimed at coordinating and fostering the professional training, career development and youth education for...

Media Only: Devin Murphy 202-633-3055 TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Boo at the Zoo Kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 WHAT: Boo at the Zoo WHEN:Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 26-28, 2012 5:30-8:30 p.m. WHERE: Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, D.C. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008 WHO...

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute reproductive biologist Dr. Janine Brown has been named this year's winner of the Morris Animal Foundation's Innovation in Veterinary Medicine Award. The tribute celebrates Brown's expansive career in developing pioneering reproductive techniques for...

Come see the Smithsonian's National Zoo in a whole new light during ZooLights—powered by Pepco! Beginning Nov. 23, Friends of the National Zoo invites guests to stroll through the Zoo under the glow of thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights. ZooLights is 24 nights this year—the most in its...

This holiday season, shop at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for gifts your loved ones will give a hoot, whoop and roar about! Spot a great find for the animal person in your life during your next visit to the Zoo, or shop the online catalogue. By giving a Zoo gift, you become a conservationist—all...

Traditionally, biologists have gathered basic information such as population density and survival rates of carnivores by trapping, drugging, and fitting radiocollars on restrained animals. We are developing a new, noninvasive method that uses trained dogs to find scats (feces) of carnivores followed...

The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a unique program in terms of its academic offerings and contributions to the field of conservation, celebrated the completion of its expansive new academic facilities today, Oct. 18, at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va...

Last week, we bid a bittersweet farewell to Zuri and Fahari, as they left for their new home at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Their new keepers traveled to DC to meet the girls and accompanied them during their flight back to sunny California—via FedEx! Zuri and Fahari traveled in the same crates that...

The cats got a present! Port City Brewery in Alexandria, Virginia generously donated some kegs for the cats to use as toys. It's not easy to find things that can stand up to being played with by tigers and lions, but beer kegs are (almost) indestructible. The lions have discovered that if you whack...

After examining the giant panda cub that died six days after it was born to mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the Zoo's team of pathologists found that lung and liver damage ultimately caused the death of the panda cub. The poorly developed lungs likely caused the cub...

WHAT:Media will be informed about the results from the panda cub necropsy and receive an update about the mother giant panda. WHEN:Thursday, Oct. 11 8:30 a.m.: Photo opportunity: Both giant pandas, Mei Xiang (female) and Tian Tian (male), will be in their outdoor yards. Each panda will receive a...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo euthanized a young black howler monkey, Loki, Sunday, Oct. 7, because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease. This disease is a vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus imbalance. It is most often caused by lack of sunlight (ultraviolet light), lack of...

Friends of the National Zoo calls all baking enthusiasts to enter the annual Gin-GRR-Bread Habitat Contest at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. This year's theme is, A Winter's Tail on the American Trail. American Trail is the newest exhibit at the National Zoo and is home to four California sea lions...