National Zoological Park
At the National Zoo, Guess Who
We were born on July 17th at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.We're usually born in sets of twins.All members of our family take care of us (we're on dad's back here).More than 178 of us have been born at the National Zoo - the last before us in May 2007.We are endangered, and only 1,500 of us are le...
August 11, 2008 |
By Megan Gambino
Fingers Crossed. A Panda Preggers at the National Zoo???!
National Zoo darling Mei Xiang, who recently celebrated her tenth birthday, has kept mum about her maternal status. On March 20, Mei was anesthetized and artificially inseminated. She has since coyly toyed with her adoring public’s hopes for the pitter patter of panda paws.Over the course of her 20...
July 25, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
On the Job: Zoo Veterinarian
Suzan Murray talks about making house calls at the nation’s zoo
May 01, 2008 |
By Cate Lineberry
This Sloth is No Slacker
Taught to avoid sloth? Meet 9-year-old Khali (right), a female sloth bear that came from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle to become a non-breeding companion for the National Zoo's 26-year-old male sloth bear Merlin. Sloth bears are slow-movers, thus their association with laziness or slothfulness...
April 11, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Love Was Not in the Cards For Mei Xiang
We've been keeping an eye on the PandaCam at the Zoo because we heard it was time for a little hanky panky between the pandas. But if anything went on, we missed it.Should nature not take its proper course, however, the Zoo's scientists don't want to waste an opportunity. Female pandas only go into...
March 20, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
The Mating Game
Maybe there isn’t much spontaneity and romance involved in dating and mating at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where Cupid consults a studbook and matches animals based on numerous factors—genetics being the most important—instead of leaving it to starry-eyed lovers and controls for optimum breeding e...
February 14, 2008 |
By Megan Gambino
Hearts Afire Flamingo Style
Birds do it, too. Especially this time of year. Valentine's Day marks the time of the year when American flamingos begin their elaborate courtship displays. The National Zoo's photographer, Mehgan Murphy, caught this courting pair in a heart-felt display.Zoo officials tells us that the whole flock ...
February 13, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Zoo's Elephant Preggers?
The countdown is on. Ten weeks until we know for sure if the National Zoo's 32-year-old Asian Elephant, Shanthi, is going to have another baby. Remember back in 2001 when Shanthi gave birth to Kandula? For a few rare moments, Washington, D.C. was going gaga over elephants—the real ones.Now, Zoo of...
January 28, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Put a Tiger in Your Pocket
Caller ID just got more interesting. Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), the nonprofit partner of Smithsonian’s National Zoo, just released ringtones of 25 animal sounds, from the familiar tiger’s roar to the obscure gargle of the giant anteater. Zoo keepers recorded the sounds.Program Mom's calls...
January 15, 2008 |
By Megan Gambino
Snow Day for Tai Shan
Tai Shan, the two-year-old giant panda cub at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, surveyed Washington D.C.’s first major snowfall from high in a tree.Tai Shan should feel right at home in the cold snow—giant pandas are native to central China where snow is common in the winter.(Photo Courtesy...
December 06, 2007 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Hatching a New Idea
Electronic eggs hatch new insights into breeding exotic birds at the National Zoo
October 2007 |
By Jess Blumberg
Clouded comeback?
Smithsonian zoologists are attempting to breed the rare clouded leopard
May 2007 |
By David Zax
Learning from Tai Shan
The giant panda born at Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo has charmed animal lovers. Now he's teaching scientists more than they had expected
June 2006 |
By Laura Tangley
Hawaii's Vanished Birds
For the National Zoological Park, an artist depicts the diversity of the islands' extinct avian species
March 2000 |
By Adele Conover
Animal Old Folks
For the National Zoo's esteemed senior citizens, only the very best in geriatric medical care will do
December 1999 |
By Michael Kernan
Trailing the Big Cats
For a walk on the wild side, follow the tracks of a tiger or look at a lion close up at the National Zoo
January 1999 |
By Michael Kernan
When one of the National Zoo's gorillas goes in for tests, it's not just standard operating-room procedure
By discovering heart disease early, echocardiograms have improved life for many a human; now Washington cardiologists are using them to help great apes at the National Zoo
January 1997 |
By Michael Kernan
Around the Mall & Beyond
Since her arrival in September, baby Chitwan has charmed visitors and curators alike; the birth of a rhino is a rare event and hasn't been seen at the National Zoo since 1974
December 1996 |
By Michael Kernan
