SCBI Animals

The following species are located at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Please note that this facility is not open to the public.

About SCBI Animals

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s legacy of conservation work extends beyond the public Zoo in Washington, D.C., to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. SCBI scientists play a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists around the world. Since its founding in 1974, SCBI has celebrated many milestones, including endangered species births, reintroductions of animals to the wild and revolutionary scientific studies.

Scientists at SCBI study and breed more than 20 species, including some that were once extinct in the wild, such as black-footed ferrets and scimitar-horned oryx. Animals thrive in specialized barns and building complexes spread over more than 1,000 acres. The sprawling environment allows for unique studies that contribute to the survival of threatened, difficult-to-breed species with distinct needs, especially those requiring large areas, natural group sizes and minimal public disturbance.

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An adult and juvenile Persian onager standing in the grass

Persian onager
Scientific Name: Equus hemionus onager
Tan and buff horse standing in a grassy field. The mane, nose, legs, and tail are a dark brown

Przewalski's horse
Scientific Name: Equus ferus przewalskii
A red panda standing in a tree, using its front paw to hold a branch and eat leaves

Red panda
Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens
A red-crowned crane

Red-crowned crane
Scientific Name: Grus japonensis
scimitar-horned oryx laying in grass

Scimitar-horned oryx
Scientific Name: Oryx dammah
Two adult white naped cranes and chicks

White-naped crane
Scientific Name: Grus vipio
Very large pure white bird with reddish crown and black moustached and long pointed bill

Whooping crane
Scientific Name: Grus americana