Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2013

I will be revisting the national zoo next month for the 3rd time. It is part of a large road trip that will also include Busch gardens and the National Aquarium. I should be at the zoo from 12:30 to close which is around 6. What time do many of the animals go inside as the buildings will be open late but I guess many animals will go inside early? I plan to focus on 5 species while I am there and will see many others but cannot see the full zoo. These 5 species are: Asian Elephant, Giant Panda, Kiwi, Orangutan, and Sea Lion. I plan to skip a few exhibits such as the small mammal house. Also what time do the elephants and pandas go in at night. I can wait to see the new elephant trails as only phase 1 was complete when I last visited.
 
Are you parking at the zoo? If it's a weekend, you may have trouble finding a spot at the time you're going. However, if it's during the week, you have a better chance.

I believe zoo buildings close at 6 PM and you're allowed on the ground until 8 PM. So every animal but the sea lions would need to be seen by 6 PM. From previous visits, Kadula roams different yards throughout the day. The girls mostly stay in the barn, or they venture out to the exhibit right behind it. I think it is around 2 PM when they set food up for them and let them back on exhibit to find it. Giant Pandas are usually outside in the morning eating their bamboo. By the time you get there, they will probably be done with the heat and be in their building. The kiwi has a special day where a keeper takes it out to the public area, I can't remember but I think it's on Wednesday. Besides that, it's a bit hard to find it in its dark exhibit. The orangs can either be in the Ape building, think tank, both, or the O Line.
 
blospz said:
Are you parking at the zoo? If it's a weekend, you may have trouble finding a spot at the time you're going. However, if it's during the week, you have a better chance.

I believe zoo buildings close at 6 PM and you're allowed on the ground until 8 PM. So every animal but the sea lions would need to be seen by 6 PM. From previous visits, Kadula roams different yards throughout the day. The girls mostly stay in the barn, or they venture out to the exhibit right behind it. I think it is around 2 PM when they set food up for them and let them back on exhibit to find it. Giant Pandas are usually outside in the morning eating their bamboo. By the time you get there, they will probably be done with the heat and be in their building. The kiwi has a special day where a keeper takes it out to the public area, I can't remember but I think it's on Wednesday. Besides that, it's a bit hard to find it in its dark exhibit. The orangs can either be in the Ape building, think tank, both, or the O Line.
Click to expand...


- Thanks for the info. I will be visiting on a monday and will walk from hotel which is half a mile from the zoo so no problem parking. I didnt see kiwi last time and there the one animal I dont expect to see.
 
Do you think you could get there by 11 AM instead? Kiwi Meet and Greet is at 11-11:20 AM on Mondays.
 
blospz said:
Do you think you could get there by 11 AM instead? Kiwi Meet and Greet is at 11-11:20 AM on Mondays.
Click to expand...

- It all depends on traffic. I am going with several others and plan to leave at 5 or 6 o'clock. I hope to get down there by 10:00 at the latest but have to go straight to the hotel first.
 
Are you going to the hotel first to check in? I don't know the policies of all hotels, but working at one myself, I know sometimes checking in before check in time (usually around 3 PM) may not guarantee you a room then as they are cleaning them. You may be able to check in after the zoo and call the hotel to let them know you'll be arriving later in the evening. Just a suggestion.
 
blospz said:
Are you going to the hotel first to check in? I don't know the policies of all hotels, but working at one myself, I know sometimes checking in before check in time (usually around 3 PM) may not guarantee you a room then as they are cleaning them. You may be able to check in after the zoo and call the hotel to let them know you'll be arriving later in the evening. Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...

- I am going to check the bags if I cant get into the room and head straight off to the zoo. Thank god the zoo is open later than my local zoo, Bronx.
 
Oh yes, I didn't think about wanting to drop off your bags! Yes, the hours of this zoo is definitely a perk. I enjoy the first couple of hours of roaming Asia Trails before the crowds come in.
 
New Golden Orb Weaver Spiders from Woodland Park Zoo are now on display in the Invertebrates exhibit.
Wasabi the Fishing Cat kitten was determined to be a male.
 
There are new Wrinkled Hornbills in the Bird House.
Wasabi the Fishing Cat kitten is now on exhibit with Electra, his mother.
Latest panda update:
"The panda team at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has officially started #cubwatch — which is normal for this point in the breeding season. Volunteer behavior watchers have been monitoring Mei Xiang via the panda cams 24-hours-a-day since August 7. Keepers say that Mei's behavior is still very lethargic. She is spending more time in her den, sleeping and shredding bamboo for her nest, and eating less. She has also occasionally been cradling and grooming her kong toy and boomer ball while in her den. Our veterinarians are still attempting daily ultrasounds when Mei is out of her den, but she has been choosing not to participate. All of these behavioral changes are consistent with a pseudopregnancy or pregnancy, and are behaviors that we have seen every year during this time.
On the other side of the Panda Habitat, Tian Tian has been enjoying the mild weather. Since Mei has not shown any interest in going outside, keepers have been letting Tian explore his yard and her yard."
 
The zoo will be a wonderful new home for Calgary's girls. They just missed out on getting a calf as well when Maharani's pregnancy last year ended with a still born calf. She has produced two other calves but neither calf lived I think past 5 years old. Maybe a new situation will improve her odds. However she shouldnt be a possible mate for Kandula because she is his aunt though his father. The other cows are too old for breeding. They will bring Washington years of enjoyment.
 
TZFan said:
The zoo will be a wonderful new home for Calgary's girls. They just missed out on getting a calf as well when Maharani's pregnancy last year ended with a still born calf. She has produced two other calves but neither calf lived I think past 5 years old. Maybe a new situation will improve her odds. However she shouldnt be a possible mate for Kandula because she is his aunt though his father. The other cows are too old for breeding. They will bring Washington years of enjoyment.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I wonder if that means the zoo might try to bring in a new male to breed considering Kandula can't breed with either of the two breeding aged females (Maharani and his mother).
 
mstickmanp said:
That's interesting. I wonder if that means the zoo might try to bring in a new male to breed considering Kandula can't breed with either of the two breeding aged females (Maharani and his mother).
Click to expand...

I think Kandula is too young to breed anyway.

~Thylo:cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top