How do you train a panda to voluntarily participate in blood draws and other medical exams? By building the bears’ trust and rewarding their participation with treats!
Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji, we use a combination of verbal cues, training tools, hand
Eight-week-old Allen’s swamp monkey Zawadi is on the move. Over the past few weeks, biologist Becky Malinsky has watched the baby—whose name means „gift“ in Swahili—become more independent.
On the other hand, the males of both species have not shown much interest in interacting
Focus on the Future is a series that seeks to highlight the early career scientists who conduct research at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
post-doctoral fellows and the conservation research they are supporting through first-hand
In December 2020, Smithsonian’s Conservation and Biology Institute’s cheetah breeding program celebrated a decade of success. Take a look at the top five most spot-acular accomplishments over the years!
Keepers had to hand-raise Nick for 13 days before they could foster him with the
All four red panda pairs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va., successfully bred and had cubs this year. Of the 10 cubs, more born at SCBI than any other year, seven have survived.
One cub was stillborn; the other is being hand-reared to increase chances of survival
Happy salamander Saturday! This annual holiday honoring these amazing amphibians takes place on the first Saturday in May. To celebrate, we’re counting down animal keeper Matt Neff’s top six favorite salamander facts! Stop by the Reptile Discovery Center’s Jewels of Appalachia exhibit to see these awesome amphibians up close.
Salamanders can give you a hand—and grow theirs back.
In May, our Small Mammal House team said goodbye to two beloved tamanduas: Manny and Cayenne.
Image: Southern tamanduas Manny and Cayenne eat meal worms out of their keeper’s hand
Why do clouded leopards seem to have a tough time reproducing outside of their natural habitat? As wild populations continue to dwindle, conservation scientists are working against the clock to find successful artificial insemination methods. Two research biologists—Adrienne Crosier and Pierre Comizzoli of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute—have recently worked with colleagues from the Nashville Zoo to explore new ways to artificially inseminate clouded leopards and enhance procreation.
On the other hand, females and males that were previously paired won’t re-bond with
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s dedicated staff are at the forefront of shaping the world’s understanding of animals and their habitats. Wildlife conservation is their passion. And, they are women.
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to create and adapt protocols for hand
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is otterly delighted to introduce Coquille, Potomac and Nash — American Trail’s adorable North American river otter pups! Get the latest news in this PUPdate.
Emmett, on the other hand, is a bit of a wild card and much more high strung.
