LATEST STORIES
Quiz: Name the Asian Animals!
Camera traps are a valuable tool for wildlife researchers. Can you identify the animals from photos taken in Asia's mountain forests?
Meet Vostok, the New Amur Tiger
Vostok, the 2-year-old Amur tiger, is now rotating on exhibit with the other residents of Great Cats. Explore how animal care staff helped him adjust to his new home.
Zoo Mourns Bornean Orangutan Kyle
Primate staff are mourning the loss of Kyle, a 28-year-old male Bornean orangutan who died Jan. 10.
How to Tell the Two Pandas Apart
The Zoo's two giant pandas look quite similar to the untrained eye. Panda keeper Mariel Lally offers some tips you can use to spot the difference!
Giant Pandas Debut Jan. 24
On Jan. 24, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao will make their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
A Snow Day at the Zoo
Several inches of snowfall kept the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute closed to visitors, but the animals and their caretakers still had a good time!
Top Conservation Wins of 2024
Celebrate and look back at some of the groundbreaking achievements made by Smithsonian scientists this year.
Amazing Animal Stories of 2024
This year was filled with incredible and heartwarming stories about the animals and the people who care for them. Enjoy a look back at some of the amazing things that happened this year.
Live Bird Friendly® and Support Birds
When you purchase Bird Friendly® certified coffee or cocoa, you preserve critical habitat for birds and wildlife, fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and support farmers committed to farming sustainably.
We Save Species
Our scientists and researchers play a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.
Explore our conservation programs at the Zoo and our research headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia.
The Pandas Are Here
The Zoo's giant pandas are part of the fabric of Washington, D.C.’s vibrant history and culture. In celebration of Bao Li and Qing Bao’s debut, we’re rolling out the black-and-white carpet for a “District of Panda” party! Join the fun and greet them in style with our latest limited-edition collection.
Live Animal Cams
Experience giant pandas, lions, elephants and naked mole-rats in live camera views from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.