Press Release Archive

Hellbenders, aquatic salamanders from the eastern United States, are surprisingly good at dealing with unpredictable weather. In a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found that hellbenders can experience...

The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The accreditation certifies that the National Zoo has met or exceeded the AZA's standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. In the...

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics confirmed that the giant panda cub born Aug. 23 at the National Zoo is female. A paternity analysis showed that the Zoo's panda Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN) is the cub's father. Scientists...

WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Zoo will announce the sex and paternity of the giant panda cub born at the National Zoo Aug. 23, and the second stillborn cub. WHO:Pierre Comizzoli, reproductive biologist Jesus Maldonado, research scientist Brandie Smith, senior curator of mammals and giant pandas...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is mourning the death of its 23-year-old Przewalski's horse, a male named Rolles, who was humanely euthanized this morning. A final pathology report will provide more information. In July, keepers observed that Rolles had some nasal discharge. Zoo veterinarians...

Scientists have studied bird migration for centuries, but it remains one of nature's great mysteries.

In the early morning hours, giant panda Mei Xiang gently placed her cub on the floor of her den. Vigilant panda cam observers were watching at 3:37 a.m. We're delighted to share the video with you on the Zoo's YouTube page! You'll see the tiny cub has a round belly which indicates to the panda team...

This morning, the panda team attempted to get the cub for a second veterinary exam. Mei Xiang was more alert and more aware of the keepers presence today, especially compared with Sunday when she seemed focused on the cub to the exclusion of everything else around her.

As kids around the area geared up for the first day of school today, the three-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo received their first veterinary exam—and they passed with roaring colors. Veterinarians determined that the two cubs are a male and a female. The male cub...

This morning, the panda team at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed the first neonatal exam (8:56 a.m.) on the giant panda cub born Friday, Aug. 23. The cub is robust, fully formed and is a bright, healthy shade of pink. It is too early to determine the sex of the cub. It weighs 137 grams...

Giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) gave birth to a cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo 5:32 p.m. The panda team heard the cub vocalize and glimpsed the cub for the first time briefly immediately after the birth. Mei Xiang picked the cub up immediately and began cradling and caring for it. Behavior...

The Smithsonian's National Zoo will welcome three female Asian elephants –Kamala, Swarna and Maharani– next spring, expanding the Zoo's existing herd to seven. They will be on loan from the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which announced in April 2012 that it would relocate its elephants...

Calgary, AB – After an extensive international search and in-depth review of available accredited facilities, Calgary Zoo officials today announced that plans have been finalized for its three female elephants — Kamala, Swarna and Maharani — to make their new home together at the Smithsonian's...

The Great Cats team at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is celebrating a conservation victory. The Zoo's female Sumatran tiger, Damai, gave birth to two cubs Monday, Aug. 5. The cubs appear healthy, and keepers have observed Damai grooming and nursing them. It's taken more than two years of...

Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the birth of a female Przewalski's (Cha-VAL-skee) horse—the first to be born via artificial insemination. The foal's birth July 27 signals a huge breakthrough for the survival of this species. SCBI Reproductive Physiologist...

As economic expansion and development fragments the forest landscape of central India, the species that rely on that habitat—including endangered tigers and leopards—face dwindling populations and increased competition for food and resources. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists...

Scientists at the Smithsonian's National Zoo confirmed a secondary rise in urinary progesterone in its female giant panda Mei Xiang. The slow rise, which started around mid-July, indicates that she will experience the end of a pseudopregnancy or give birth to a cub in 40 to 55 days. Mei Xiang was...

Fans of the giant pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo can once again access the panda cams, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund. The cams went dark for upgrades May 30 but will begin streaming live uninterrupted video today at noon. The panda-cam system upgrades were designed to maximize...

The National Zoo's senior female cheetah, Tumai, died overnight. Preliminary results from a necropsy indicate that a tumor caused her spleen to rupture; however, a final pathology report will provide more information. She was 13 years old. Typically, female cheetahs in human care have a median...

WHAT: Red panda Rusty—who temporarily left his enclosure at the Smithsonian's National Zoo June 24, 2013—will return to his exhibit tomorrow. Staff will move Rusty from the hospital into a behind-the-scenes holding area at his enclosure. Media will see Rusty transported in a crate. When staff...

Red panda, Rusty, continues to do well and Zoo veterinarians have confirmed that he is in good health following his rabies booster vaccination. He will remain at the hospital, but Animal Care staff hopes to return Rusty to his enclosure by July 4. A multi-disciplinary team of Zoo experts, led by...

Bozie, a 37-year-old female Asian elephant, made her debut in the Elephant Community Center today. She arrived at the Zoo on May 22 and spent 30 days in quarantine per standard procedure. Introductions between Bozie and her two female companions—Ambika (65) and Shanthi (38)—continue to go well...

The popular Pizza Playground at the Smithsonian's National Zoo has a new recipe thanks to a $110,000 donation from Ledo Pizza and donations from Friends of the National Zoo. The new playground, which has been closed for the past several weeks for renovation, will reopen to the public June 29 at noon...

The onset of summer for animal care staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., means patiently awaiting endangered-animal births, hand-raising youngsters and saying farewell to cubs that are ready to be matched with mates. This year, SCBI-Front Royal celebrated its...