The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute began as the dream of William Temple Hornaday.
During a trip to the western United States in 1886, he was shocked and troubled by
This small, fairly common songbird travels between cool, boggy northern forests and warm southern regions each year. Unlike many of their warbler cousins, they are often seen foraging on the ground, not in trees, while bobbing their tail.
The colors vary between eastern and western subspecies.
There’s no better way to celebrate World Gorilla Day than with our adorable animal ambassador, Zahra! Keeper Lynne McMahan shares some of her favorite moments in this Q+A.
Our 3.5-month-old western lowland gorilla is teething.
Black-footed ferrets, North America’s only native ferret species, were thought to have gone extinct in 1979. On Sept. 26, 1981, a black-footed ferret was discovered on the Wyoming prairie. From that unlikely occurrence, an entire species began its comeback — one of the most remarkable conservation stories on Earth. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the discovery of the last black-footed ferret colony, here are five of this miraculous species’ momentous conservation milestones.
Ferrets Taken into Human Care For several years, biologists monitored the last wild
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.
This summer has been eventful for our youngest western lowland gorilla, Zahra, who
Over the past few months, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute welcomed some adorable new members to the Zoo family. Say hello to our newest (and cutest) baby animals!
But for animals like the western lowland gorilla, births are even more significant
The Global Health Program works with International Animal Rescue Indonesia to ensure that disease risk does not pose a threat to rescued orangutans.
Care in Borneo Anthrax Epidemiology and Vultures Gorilla Health in the Wild
The northern copperhead is a large, venomous snake found across the eastern United States in terrestrial and semiaquatic habitats. This copper-colored snake has an unmarked head and chestnut brown, hourglass-shaped crossbands along its body.
live in the United States from the Florida panhandle, north to Massachusetts and west
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.
This summer has been eventful for our youngest western lowland gorilla, Zahra, who
Among the largest species of cats in the world, tigers are powerful hunters with sharp teeth, strong jaws and agile bodies. They range across Asia from Russia all the way to Sumatra and mainland Southeast Asia. Scientists still have much to learn about these beautiful, endangered cats.
throughout much of Eastern and Southern Asia, as well as in parts of Central and Western
