Monday, December 10, 2012
Zoo hopeful that bears will reach full term.
Move over Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. The biggest baby news on this side of the pond is that Billie Jean, a 6-year-old Andean bear, is pregnant with two cubs. The Smithsonian National Zoo made the announcement on Friday and officials are hoping Billie Jean will reach full term successfully as she did in January 2012, when she gave birth to two other cubs—Bernardo and Chaska. But what makes this story even sweeter is that Bille Jean mated naturally with Nikki, a male Andean bear that was humanely euthanized in August after he was diagnosed with skin cancer. So if the Billie Jean's cubs are born healthy, they'll be a legacy. “It would not only be a heartwarming story if Nikki’s legacy were to continue,” said Craig Saffoe, …
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sumatran tiger Soyono, 19, was the mother of seven cubs.
Sumatran tiger Soyono—who, at 19 years old was considered an elderly tiger—was humanely euthanized by veterinarians at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Monday morning, according to a zoo statement. Soyono—affectionately known as Soy—began exhibiting common signs of aging in early October, according to the statement. "Keepers noticed that she walked more slowly and seemed to have trouble with her balance. Zoo veterinarians monitored Soy’s health and administered medication to alleviate the symptoms associated with spondylosis—a degenerative disorder of the spine that can create abnormal pressure on the nerves," the statement reported. "Animal care staff made the decision to euthanize Soy when they observed that her health and …
Monday, November 12, 2012
Popular event runs for a total of 24 nights in 2012.
On Nov. 23, almost two weeks before the First Family lights the National Christmas Tree, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will brighten the metro area with ZooLights, the popular annual DC event. Thousands of environmentally friendly LED lights – in the shapes of pandas, snakes, flowers, trees, butterflies, elephants and more – lining the pathways and decorating buildings such as the Small Mammals House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Apes House, Think Tank and Kids’ Farm – make for a unique and fun experience for the whole family. Also on display will be entries to the zoo’s “Gin-GRR-Bread Habitat Contest,” with a theme of “A Winter’s Tale on the American Trail. Winners will receive a special behind-the-scenes tour of the American Trail …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Support animal care, science and research with these great gift options.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Ben Gross
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Do some good for yourself, your family and friends and the animal kingdom by doing your holiday shopping at the National Zoo this year. For the kids: Bring home plush versions of Crystal or Cody, the zoo’s gray wolves with these realistic 16” renditions of the popular canines for just $20. Colorful owl or butterfly-themed purses are always in style and sure to be a hit with the girls in your life. Each version features working zippers, an inside pocket and a 10” strap for $22. For the animals: Show your favorite zoo animal how much you care by purchasing one of these great enrichment toys. You can either purchase items on the zoo’s online store, or visit the Enrichment Giving Tree to find out what’s on their wish list and you can drop it…
Monday, October 22, 2012
And, we have a winner!
Our winner is: Melissa Anthony "The newest member of the National Zoo's Competitive Tail-Bowling League focuses, intent on picking up that spare." Thanks for playing! We will contact you about where to send your Patch swag. --- Although it's already getting cold, there's still time to go check out the animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. But, before you do, write a caption for this photo in the comments. We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the winners. We’re a tough crowd...so make us laugh! Check out last week's winner and tell us if you agree with our …
Saturday, October 13, 2012
And, we have a winner!
The winner is: morgan gale "Ahh , what a nice day at the beach . The ride on the raft was a disaster." Thanks for playing! -- What does a porcupine do when it's rainy or it needs shade? Get under an umbrella of course! Although it's already getting cold, there's still time to go check out the animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. But, before you do, write a caption for this photo in the comments. We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the winners. We’re a tough crowd...so make us laugh! Check out last week's winner and tell us if you agree with our choice! Don'…
Friday, October 12, 2012
Loki was euthanized "because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease," according to the National Zoo.
A young black howler monkey died Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Loki—born March 22, 2010, to first-time parents Chula (her mother) and Pele (her father)—was euthanized "because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease," the zoo said. The zoo described the disease as a vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus imbalance. It is most often caused by lack of sunlight (ultraviolet light), lack of dietary intake of vitamin D and/or the body’s inability to properly metabolize these compounds. "For five days, Loki was treated in the hospital with injectable vitamins, iron [and] calcium and exposed to direct sunlight while receiving around-the-clock nursing care," the zoo said. "A blood transfusion was provided from [her…
Sunday, October 7, 2012
And, we have a winner!
The winner is: Mindy Anderson "To hell with my diet!!".... "Don't do it Helen!!" "A second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips"!!!! Thanks for playing! Your Patch swag is on its way! -- It's been unusually warm and humid this week for what should be the middle of the fall season. When the Smithsonian’s National Zoo faces a heat wave it must find ways to cool down the animals. This picture is from 2010, when these Andean bear cubs were trying to cool off with a fruitsicle. The zoo will give this treat year-round to the gorillas, elephants and other bears, too. Can you come up with a caption for what these little guys are thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption …
Monday, October 1, 2012
And, we have a winner!
The winner of this week's zoo caption contest is: Jill Dickey Timon and Pumbaa are never gonna let me live this down... Thanks for making our day! We'll contact you for information on where to send your prize. -- Did you know that the animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo take a swim test before they are allowed to wade in the zoo's waters? This week's picture is a throwback to when the African lion cubs were taking their swim test! So, can you come up with a caption for what this little guy is thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the …
Friday, September 21, 2012
And, we have a winner!
And, the winner is: PastorGuy "Cat Scratch Fever" Thanks for playing! We'll contact you about where to send your Patch swag! -- The Smithsonian’s National Zoo last week hosted two Olympians who got a chance to play around with the cheetah cubs. Justin Gatlin and Carmelita Jeter played ball with them. Check out the full gallery on the zoo's Flickr page. This week's picture is a throwback to when the cubs were born! So, can you come up with a caption for what this little guy is thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the winners. We’re a tough …
Sareen Gerson
10:21 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Mommy! What happened? more ›