Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2016

Meet the Ocean’s Deadliest Threat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo This Summer


May 27 to September 5 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
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https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/...iest-threat-smithsonians-national-zoo-summer/
 
I went to the zoo today so here's some updates.

* They've started adding plants to the center exhibit in the Small mammal house.

* The exhibit next to it has dwarf mongooses now. They still have their main exhibit.

* The exhibit next to the banded mongooses is now for... Banded mongooses. I believe the saki died or left (I probably mentioned it last time I made one of these.)

* Kyle and Batang have bred. A volunteer I talked to simply said that the zoo is hoping that one of the times were successful.

* She also said that the reason the zoo is adding fences or windows to exhibits such as the apes and lion and tiger hill is because of people being able to get into the exhibit. She said the lion and tiger hill fence was added because people were holding their kids over the moat. The windows at the ape exhibits were added because of similar reasons. She said the zoo is thinking about doing the same to the cheetah exhibits.

* I talked to a volunteer in the Elephant community center about some stuff and it eventually lead to me bringing up the hippo exhibit. He said that the reason it wasn't added to the yard was because the zoo ran out of money. Simple as that. He said one of the original ideas was to renovate the yard and keep the hippos but it would've cost millions and the zoo didn't have the money. I asked him if they ever thought of using it as a yard for Kandula but he didn't really give me an answer.

* The new "retreat" the zoo built for the red pandas was.... Disappointing. I'm sure there's a lot of room for the two pandas but they said you would be able to see them inside during days where it's to hot for them to go outside. Well you can but the window is really dark and if someone was standing in front of it you would have to wait for them to leave to look.


* My mom realized that the panda cubs always get the newer and nicer yard all to themselves after they're weaned. Tai Shan used it and now Bao Bao uses it. We were talking to a keeper (and the yard thing is how it started) and it eventually lead to us talking about Mei and if the zoo plans to continue breeding her after Bei Bei is weaned because she'll be 19 next year. She said that their mating season passed and the zoo would find out if shes pregnant in a few months. Don't they stop breeding until after the cub is weaned? I said this and she just shook her head and that was it. She said she only started working at the zoo two months ago though so she could be wrong? I don't know. Is there something different about this time?

* The sculptures for Washed ashore are up. Unless they plan on doing more with them I don't know why they said "starting May 27th" when you could've gone the last couple of days and seen them.

And that's it. I have pictures but I forgot my memory card so we used our phones, so sorry about the quality of them when they're up,
 
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Our team continues to treat Asian elephant Shanthi’s infection caused by arthritis’ impact on her feet. She has had some improvements in her flexibility, and her feet and nails are looking better. Arthritis is a chronic disease that is not curable regardless of the species. Shanthi’s care includes joint treatments, administering topical treatments such as antibiotics and disinfectants, administering anti-inflammatories, and exercising her joints.
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Zoos facebook
 
PHOTO RELEASE: “WASHED ASHORE: ART TO SAVE THE SEA” OPENS AT THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO


Press Release - National Zoo| FONZ


I've added some pictures to the gallery, but they turned sideways. Does anyone know why? The pictures were taken with a phone but they were taken in portrait mode and when they were uploaded to the site they were in landscape.
 
Andrew_NZP said:
* My mom realized that the panda cubs always get the newer and nicer yard all to themselves after they're weaned. Tai Shan used it and now Bao Bao uses it. We were talking to a keeper (and the yard thing is how it started) and it eventually lead to us talking about Mei and if the zoo plans to continue breeding her after Bei Bei is weaned because she'll be 19 next year. She said that their mating season passed and the zoo would find out if shes pregnant in a few months. Don't they stop breeding until after the cub is weaned? I said this and she just shook her head and that was it. She said she only started working at the zoo two months ago though so she could be wrong? I don't know. Is there something different about this time?
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Yes, I believe she is misinformed. Mei Xiang can only be artificially inseminated after she has stopped weaning. There's actually talk of Bao Bao moving to China at the beginning of next year as that's the time Bei Bei will be weaned and need his own yard. Also, they have to wait a couple months after weaning for A.I. to work.
 
Andrew_NZP said:
* Kyle and Batang have bred. A volunteer I talked to simply said that the zoo is hoping that one of the times were successful.
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I appreciate your updates from the zoo. I would ask that since not all of us are on a first name basis with the animals at any given zoo that you at least reference the species to which you are referring in the future? Thanks.
 
A second kiwi hatched overnight at the SCBI on June 1st. Same parents and according to the zoo they're the most genetically valuable kiwi outside New Zealand.

We’re celebrating a second kiwi chick at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute! This chick hatched overnight June 1 and is doing well. The chick’s parents are the most genetically valuable kiwi outside of New Zealand
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Kiwi Q&A - National Zoo
 
Also according to the zoos summer 2016 Zoogoer, they're working to get maned wolves back on exhibit this summer.
 
savethelephant said:
Will a new one be put on exhibit at all?
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I honestly do not know. I assume they would try and put one on exhibit.

I kinda hope they don't because the exhibit has never worked in my opinion. It's almost impossible to see into the tank and most people just walk right by it.

If they changed the design I would like to see some species of snake go into the exhibit.
 
I hope they change the exhibit if they put a new one on exhibit. It's poorly lit. That, combined with the glare on the glass, is what makes it so hard to see the salamander properly.

Your snake suggestion would be interesting, but it would probably just be some python.
 
Probably, but I think they would try to do something unique.

Did the zoo once keep Chinese alligators in the exhibit? I have no idea if I actually did but I have a very vivid memory of walking by and looking at the sign and seeing it have Chinese alligators on it.
 
I couldn't answer that. The last time I went to the zoo before this year was 2006. However, that would be terrible for alligators.
 
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