Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2025
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No, from what it seems the Africa Trail is still pretty far from completion and an official species list hasn't been announced yet. However its still fun to speculate, and the area under renovation is large enough that there could be some interesting possibilities.
Based on conversations with staff, the lineup will be very similar, if not the same. If anything were to change, they mentioned bringing in crowned cranes as part of one of the mixed species yard.
Which species? Black Crowned or Grey Crowned and which former species would they share an exhibit with? Dama Gazelle or Lesser Kudu?
No idea
The zoo announced the hatching of a whooping crane colt at their Front Royal campus, and the hatching of three northern shoveler ducklings - the first of their kind to hatch at the zoo since 1908.
Meet Our Rare Whooping Crane Chick
Historic Hatching: Northern Shoveler Ducklings
Meet Our Rare Whooping Crane Chick
Historic Hatching: Northern Shoveler Ducklings
The zoo announced the birth of 0.1 Hartmann’s mountain zebra, 2.0 Persian onagers, and 1.0 Przewalski’s horse foal at their Front Royal campus.
Checking In on the Foals: New Arrivals at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Checking In on the Foals: New Arrivals at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
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Is there any information about what the Zoo plans on doing with the former Bison space? Does the zoo have plans to bring more Bison there, or are there any plans to house a new species there? It just seems like an area too large/prominent on the main path for the zoo to simply leave it to waste.
I talked to a keeper at the zoo the last time I went and they said that they don't know but seemed to be excited about the Arabian Leopards coming. As much as I dislike the idea of using that space as a big cat habitat I could see them renovating that exhibit for Arabian Leopards. Its got enough space for at least two enclosures and would geographically bridge the gap between the future renovated Africa Trail (finishing up in fall 2026) and current Asia Trail.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Male Fennec Fox “Barkley” died on June 18th aged 11 years.
Fennec Fox Barkley Has Died at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Fennec Fox Barkley Has Died at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
2 Pieces of July 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On July 18th, the institute announced they named the (0.2) from male Bravo's litter Alandra and Alya respectively.
Happy National Zookeeper Week 2025
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On July 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a male (1.0) Amur tiger named Metis to Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York on May 20th.
https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/Summer-2025-MyZoo.pdf
On August 1st, the zoo announced that (1.1) Guam kingfishers named Peskadot (Chamorro for fisherman) and Lå’la’ (Chamorro for to live/to survive) hatched earlier in 2025.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On August 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) golden lion tamarins named Paulo and Hildy, which are now on display in the Small Mammal House.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
* Worth mentioning that the zoo transferred 3 domestic ferrets to CuriOdyssey in California in November 2024.
On July 11th, the zoo announced their (1.0) alpaca named Orion passed away at age 18 on June 27th due to mobility issues caused by arthritis.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On July 18th, the institute announced they named the (0.2) from male Bravo's litter Alandra and Alya respectively.
Happy National Zookeeper Week 2025
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On February 6th, it was announced that the institute bred and transferred an eastern loggerhead shrike to African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada, which was then released into the wild in August 2024.
Banded Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Sighting in Maryland, USA! - African Lion Safari
On July 31st, the institute announced they bred and transferred 40 eastern loggerhead shrikes to Ontario to be released into the wilds in the future.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Banded Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Sighting in Maryland, USA! - African Lion Safari
On July 31st, the institute announced they bred and transferred 40 eastern loggerhead shrikes to Ontario to be released into the wilds in the future.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On July 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a male (1.0) Amur tiger named Metis to Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York on May 20th.
https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/Summer-2025-MyZoo.pdf
On August 1st, the zoo announced that (1.1) Guam kingfishers named Peskadot (Chamorro for fisherman) and Lå’la’ (Chamorro for to live/to survive) hatched earlier in 2025.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On August 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) golden lion tamarins named Paulo and Hildy, which are now on display in the Small Mammal House.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
* Worth mentioning that the zoo transferred 3 domestic ferrets to CuriOdyssey in California in November 2024.
I'm gonna miss Metis but the new male Vostok is a good replacement! Is the zoo planning on phasing out Sumatrans? Damai is the only Sumatran they have and I don't think there's any plans to acquire a breeding male to pair with her.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Nick the sea lion, who was on loan from Denver Zoo, died on August 7th.
Zoo Staff Mourn the Loss of Sea Lion Nick
Zoo Staff Mourn the Loss of Sea Lion Nick
At 700 lbs Nick was an absolute unit. I will miss seeing him and especially glad I got to see him during the sea lion training demonstration. Was he the largest California Sea Lion in an AZA zoo as of recent? I think 800 lbs might be the max for a male California Sea Lion.
Africa Trail's currently under renovation, should be reopened next year.
Chess
Member
ok, thanks for clarifying
The Zoo has submitted plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for the renovation of the Andean bear yards in the Lower Valley. Plans entail cosmetic updates to the faux rock, pools, and plantings. The grottos will remain as will the holding building underneath. Construction is anticipated to start September next year and run through 2027.
https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects...vitalization_Submission_Materials_Sep2025.pdf
https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects...vitalization_Submission_Materials_Sep2025.pdf
Do we know if the exhibit will be blocked off starting September 2026 until completed in 2027? I'm curious if they will send the Andean bears away until then.
The zoo announced the birth of a litter of five lesser hedgehog tenrecs, the first litter born at the zoo since 2017.
Meet Our Roly-Poly and Prickly Lesser Tenrec Babies
Meet Our Roly-Poly and Prickly Lesser Tenrec Babies