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National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

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How Well Do You Know America’s Bird? Nine Fascinating Facts About the Bald Eagle

It soars on six-foot wings, graces our currency and stares out from a thousand patriotic murals. But how much do you actually know about the bald eagle?

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Meet the Striped Skunk, America's Misunderstood Neighbor

They're one of North America’s most recognizable animals, but how well do you really know these fascinating creatures?

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To Restore Montana’s Prairie Streams, Smithsonian Researchers Are Thinking Like Beavers

Smithsonian researcher Maya Rayle is studying whether artificial beaver dams can revive the stream valleys of the Great Plains.

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Meet the Cute, Rare and Remarkable Babies Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo This Spring

Get the stories behind the new arrivals.

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Eight Fascinating Facts About the Whooping Crane, the Tallest Bird in North America

Tall, graceful, and among the rarest birds on earth. Here are eight things you probably didn't know about this awe-inspiring species.

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Why Firefighters Burned Down an Old Building on the National Zoo’s Science Campus

When faced with the challenge of an aging facility, staff at the Zoo's science campus found a creative solution to its closure.

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Linh Mai Inspires a New Era for the Zoo’s Elephant Cam

With the return of the Zoo’s Elephant Cam, a group of trained volunteers are helping chronicle the daily lives of Asian elephants.

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Inside a Komodo Dragon Vet Exam at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Learn how Zoo veterinarians deliver expert care for an apex island predator.

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9 Fascinating Facts About North America’s Master Builder, the Beaver

These facts will make you a beaver believer.

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Flirting Like a Panda: Spring Sparks for Bao Li and Qing Bao at the National Zoo

A sure sign of spring is when giant pandas show interest in one another. Watch how Bao Li and Qing Bao "flirt" in this update!

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