About SCBI

conservation biologists with cheetah cubs in Front Royal, Virginia

Staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute conduct research on a range of rare and vulnerable species, like cheetahs. (Roshan Patel, Smithsonian)

Since 1975, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) has been at the forefront of advancing the science of wildlife conservation. From its 3,200-acre facility in Front Royal, Virginia, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and field research stations around the world, Smithsonian scientists work to protect vanishing species from extinction, restore ecosystems, and turn cutting-edge science into action.

As one of the premiere centers in the world for conservation science, SCBI applies the latest technology and research in animal behavior, reproduction, ecology, genomics, migration, and conservation sustainability to tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing wildlife today. With a team of approximately 250 scientists and students collaborating in over 47 countries, SCBI’s reach and impact are truly global.

Protecting Species and Preserving Habitats

In addition to conducting research, SCBI breeds more than 20 rare and threatened animal species, including those that were once extinct in the wild, such as black-footed ferrets, Przewalski’s horses, Guam rail, and scimitar-horned oryx. Its major research initiatives are organized into five science centers:

  • Conservation Ecology
  • Conservation and Sustainability
  • Conservation Genomics
  • Migratory Birds
  • Species Survival

Additional science programs include the Great Plains Science Program, Virginia Working Landscapes, and the Global Health Program.

Milestones and Scientific Breakthroughs

A 1982 photo of Dr. Theodore H. Reed, former director of the National Zoological Park, holding a maned-wolf pup. (Smithsonian Institution Archives)

A 1982 photo of Dr. Theodore H. Reed, former director of the National Zoological Park, holding a maned wolf pup. (Smithsonian Institution Archives)

The story of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute traces back to the 1880s, when a Smithsonian taxidermist named William Hornaday was tasked with bringing a bison specimen back for a display at the National Museum in Washington. On his quest, he witnessed the decline of the bison and was shocked to see the Montana prairie emptied of the large herds he had seen years earlier. Upon his return, he urged Smithsonian leadership to focus on preserving living animals found in the United States, and that led to the establishment of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1889.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute carries forward and expands that original mission. By 1965, the Zoo had launched a research center dedicated to studying animal reproduction, behavior and ecology within the park. But limited space at the Zoo’s urban campus prompted Smithsonian officials to purchase a non-public 3,200-acre property in Front Royal, Virginia. Opening in 1975, the Conservation Research Center (now the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute) became a hub for pioneering science dedicated to saving endangered species and their habitats. More than five decades later, that commitment remains at the heart of our work. to protect threatened species and their habitats—a commitment that has endured for more than 50 years. 

A 1987 photo showing animals grazing in a field at the SCBI facility in Front Royal, Virginia.

This 1987 photo offers a view of the Conservation and Research Center (CRC), now known as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, where endangered species are studied and bred. In the foreground animals are grazing in a field and in the distance, among the rolling hills, are CRC houses and animal buildings. (Smithsonian Institution Archives)

From its initial conception as a breeding and research site for endangered species, to its use of the latest technological innovations and its commitment to train the next generation of conservation biologists, SCBI has marked hundreds of milestones over its 50-plus year history. Among them include:

  • 1970s: SCBI welcomed the first births of mammals and birds at its facility, including red pandas, clouded leopards, onagers, Guam rails, white-naped cranes, and Micronesian kingfishers.
  • Mid-1980s: Scientists developed methods to breed animals in human care while preserving genetic diversity, laying the foundation for modern species recovery programs.
  • 1991: In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the first black-footed ferret kits born at SCBI were successfully returned to the wild, beginning a recovery program that continues today.
  • 1991: The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center was founded.
  • 1995: SCBI scientists identified the lethal elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), improving our understanding of diseases affecting both wild and captive elephants.
  • 1999: Two SCBI scientists, working with a researcher at the University of Maine, describe a fungus causing the amphibian chytrid disease, a pathogen responsible for massive declines in amphibian populations worldwide.
  • 2006–2011: SCBI scientists continue pioneering coral conservation work, including cryopreservation of eggs and sperm and establishing the first genome repository for Great Barrier Reef corals.
  • 2009–2010: Launched Virginia Working Landscapes to preserve native biodiversity and joined the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) to monitor environmental changes.
  • 2010: The Zoo successfully grew two species of anemones, the first such achievement in a zoo or aquarium.
  • 2010: Previously called the Conservation and Research Center, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is given its new name, reflecting a broader focus on scientific endeavors and the training of future conservationists.
  • 2018:  Smithsonian scientists partner with colleagues to reintroduce scimitar-horned oryx to their native Chad.
  • 2024:  SCBI celebrates the births of two black-footed ferret kits, Red Cloud and Sibert, who were born to Antonia, who was cloned from tissue samples collected in 1988. This is the first known instance of a cloned North American species giving birth.

Training the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

The 2025 cohort of interns from the Conservation Ecology Center on the Front Royal campus.

The 2025 cohort of interns from the Conservation Ecology Center on the Front Royal campus. Interns have the opportunity to learn new skills, gain hands on experience, and connect with the Smithsonian network. (Brooke McDonough/Smithsonian)

Through our education and mentorship programs, we prepare the next generation of conservation leaders with the skills, experience, and vision needed to tackle an evolving planet.

  • Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation: We provide high school, undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students the opportunity to study alongside SCBI scientists and George Mason University professors.
  • Training Programs and Workshops: SCBI staff train wildlife biologists from developing countries and conduct international research projects with partners in local communities.
  • Cornell-Smithsonian Joint Graduate Training Program: We offer dual mentorship from Cornell faculty and SCBI scientists. The program produced its first success story in 2015, when a student achieved the first domestic puppies born through in-vitro fertilization, advancing our understanding of canid reproduction.

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact for Wildlife and Wild Places

aerial view of SCBI campus

An aerial view of the Front Royal campus. (Smithsonian)

In September 2025, SCBI celebrated a milestone anniversary: five decades of translating groundbreaking research into real-world impact. More than ever, SCBI is committed to advancing bold science, global partnerships, and innovative solutions to confront tomorrow’s biggest conservation challenges.