Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2023

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On June 7th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) American beaver named Juniper from the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Virginia, and is now on exhibit.

They also acquired a (1.0) red-necked wallaby named Winton from the Idaho Falls Zoo in Idaho and is now on exhibit.

Also on June 7th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+) Panamanian golden frogs hatched at the Reptile Discovery Center.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
New at the Zoo: Meet Beaver Juniper
New at the Zoo: Meet Winton the Bennett's Wallaby
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Oh, Baby! Meet Some of the Zoo’s Newest Arrivals
 
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Some updates from my visit today.

Bird House:

The set of exhibits next to the flamingos have been completed and some new birds have joined (rejoined really) the collection.
  1. Mixed exhibit for Scarlet Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill and White-Cheeked Pintail (the pintail were signed, but I only saw some unsigned wood ducks)
  2. Red-Legged Seriema
  3. Blue-Billed Curassow
There's space for three more signs in front of the first exhibit, no clue if more species will be added or if its just space for extra educational signs. As of my visit today the curassow were unsigned.

Amazonia:

Along with the Bird House, a scarlet ibis has joined the collection here as well.

Reptile Discovery Center:

A couple of bigger exhibits have replaced some smaller sets. The first exhibit replaced what were the first two exhibits upon entering the building that had held a ridgetail monitor and Iranian fat-tailed gecko. This exhibit had a ridgetail monitor and a shingleback skink.

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

June 10th, 2023

The other new exhibit replaced a trio of exhibits, two with rattlesnakes (not 100% sure which species, possibly timber), and the other the aforementioned shingleback skink. This exhibit had not yet been finished.

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

June 10th, 2023

Africa Trail:

In what I personally found to be the most surprising update from my visit today an unsigned hartmann's mountain zebra was exploring the old sitatunga yard. With this area supposed to getting a renovation soon it was certainly shocking to see a new species had been brought to this area instead of another species had left.

Africa Trail - Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Africa Trail - Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

  • Media owner Andrew_NZP
  • Date added
  • Comments 3
June 10th, 2023
 
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Andrew_NZP said:
Africa Trail:

In what I personally found to be the most surprising update from my visit today an unsigned hartmann's mountain zebra was exploring the old sitatunga yard. With this area supposed to getting a renovation soon it was certainly shocking to see a new species had been brought to this area instead of another species had left.

Africa Trail - Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Africa Trail - Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

  • Media owner Andrew_NZP
  • Date added
  • Comments 3
June 10th, 2023
Click to expand...

The website confirms this individual is Yipes, a soon to be 3 year-old male born at SCBI.

Hartmann's mountain zebra
 
Slava43 said:
Checking the Zoo website, it seems like the Addax and Ostrich have been removed from the Africa Trail species list. Have both species been removed from exhibit?
Click to expand...

Both were still there on Saturday. As far as I'm aware neither species was ever added to the website.
 
Between the Whooping Crane and Curassow exhibits adjacent to the Bird House, there are two large yet still unoccupied bird exhibits. Both are very well fenced, and seem to have fully finished landscaping done within their enclosures. They seem to be fully finished with the exception of having occupants. As such I want to know - do any of you know if the National Zoo plans on adding animals to those exhibits? And if so, which animals do they plan on bringing to those exhibits?
 
On July 8th, the zoo announced they transferred a (1.0) red-ruffed lemur named Jude to the Greensboro Science Center in North Carolina.

Good luck, Jude! Jude, our beloved red ruffed lemur, is embarking on a new adventure at the Greensboro Science Center, where he will be a companion to their female red ruffed lemur. While we will undoubtedly miss Jude's charismatic and curious personality, we are excited for what lies ahead for him in North Carolina. During Jude’s farewell party, keepers hid corn and dried coconut in paper flowers for him to find as an enrichment activity. These activities involve items that keep the lemurs' minds and bodies active, while encouraging natural behaviors. To learn more about the Zoo's lemurs, please visit: https://s.si.edu/3D0ZOcM | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

On July 21st, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Guam kingfisher hatched after it was saved from a fall and transferred to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

On July 23rd, the zoo announced that (0.0.7) American flamingos hatched over the summer.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
 
Mei Xiang experiencing psuedo-pregnancy:

An interesting note that Mei Xiang experienced a full estrus cycle (ovulating approx April 22) despite her advanced age.

#PandaStory: Parties and Pseudopregnancies

Following Xiao Qi Ji’s birth, our Chinese colleagues retired Mei Xiang from the breeding program, and we have not attempted either natural breeding or artificial insemination since 2020.

During this year’s breeding season, we observed changes in Mei Xiang’s behaviors, physiology and hormones. This indicated that, despite her advanced age, Mei Xiang experienced a full estrus this year!
 
Article on elephants Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh:

Getting To Know Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh

We knew about Trong Nhi’s protectiveness before they came here. And we have seen that evident in the time she and Nhi Linh have been with Spike. So, we are working on separation training. That is not only to take the stress off of her, but also for Nhi Linh to have the chance to form those relationships on her own.

All of the elephants talk to each other, and they all have different vocalizations—trumpeting, rumbling and things like that. But Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh ‘bark’ and ‘chirp’ at one another—a first for our elephants!
 
Some small updates from my visit today.

Bird House:

Andrew_NZP said:
Bird House:

The set of exhibits next to the flamingos have been completed and some new birds have joined (rejoined really) the collection.
  1. Mixed Exhibit for Scarlet Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill and White-Cheeked Pintail (the pintail were signed, but I only saw some unsigned wood ducks)
  2. Red-Legged Seriema
  3. Blue-Billed Curassow
Click to expand...

Updated species list for this trio of exhibits:
  1. Scarlet Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, White-Checked Pintail, Wood Duck and Blue Jay
  2. Red-Legged Seriema
  3. Blue-Billed Curassow and Band-Tailed Pigeon

I actually saw the blue jays during my last visit but I incorrectly assumed they were just wild birds that had somehow gotten in. I learned today that they are very much a part of the zoos collection.

There's still band-tailed pigeons in the coffee farm aviary, but those are apparently all males while the ones outside are breeding individuals. I believe the keeper said there were a couple of breeding pairs but I only saw three birds.

Along with the previously mentioned clapper rail there's (as of my visit today) two other species that have been recently added to the coffee farm aviary that are not listed on the guide: Northern Parula & American Redstart. I did not see the redstart but the keeper told me that there should be at least one female somewhere in there.

The barred parakeets are off-exhibit currently, and actually have been for a few months now. I was told they were doing some work with them that is much easier to do with them behind the scenes. The keeper said they should be back potentially in the winter.

Small Mammal House:

A new species has taken over the former black howler exhibit: Collared Brown Lemur. This species was still signed at Lemur Island, but I'm assuming this is the same pair that lived there. Now as seen earlier my assumptions are often wrong, but in the nearly four years they lived on Lemur Island I never once saw them and had been told previously that they didn't like going outside and they (the keepers) struggled finding ways to make them go out. Also unless someone at the zoo just really loves the species bringing in new individuals of a species they have elsewhere seems like an odd choice, so I'm assuming this is the same pair.
Small Mammal House - Collared Brown Lemur

Small Mammal House - Collared Brown Lemur

  • Media owner Andrew_NZP
  • Date added
  • Comments 2
August 23rd, 2023

Reptile Discovery Center:

Andrew_NZP said:
Reptile Discovery Center:

A couple of bigger exhibits have replaced some smaller sets. The first exhibit replaced what were the first two exhibits upon entering the building that had held a ridgetail monitor and Iranian fat-tailed gecko. This exhibit had a ridgetail monitor and a shingleback skink.

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

June 10th, 2023

The other new exhibit replaced a trio of exhibits, two with rattlesnakes (not 100% sure which species, possibly timber), and the other the aforementioned shingleback skink. This exhibit had not yet been finished.

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Exhibit

June 10th, 2023
Click to expand...

A couple more new exhibits have been added, this time for European glass lizard and one for timber rattlesnakes.
Reptile Discovery Center - New European Glass Lizard Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New European Glass Lizard Exhibit

August 23rd, 2023
Reptile Discovery Center - New Timber Rattlesnake Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Timber Rattlesnake Exhibit

August 23rd, 2023

The unfinished exhibit I mentioned last time is still completely unfinished. Didn't even look like anything had been touched since.

Kids Farm:

The zoo recently acquired three kunekunes that are now on exhibit.
Kids Farm - Kunekune

Kids Farm - Kunekune

August 23rd, 2023
 
Andrew_NZP said:
Some small updates from my visit today.

Bird House:



Updated species list for this trio of exhibits:
  1. Scarlet Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, White-Checked Pintail, Wood Duck and Blue Jay
  2. Red-Legged Seriema
  3. Blue-Billed Curassow and Band-Tailed Pigeon

I actually saw the blue jays during my last visit but I incorrectly assumed they were just wild birds that had somehow gotten in. I learned today that they are very much a part of the zoos collection.

There's still band-tailed pigeons in the coffee farm aviary, but those are apparently all males while the ones outside are breeding individuals. I believe the keeper said there were a couple of breeding pairs but I only saw three birds.

Along with the previously mentioned clapper rail there's (as of my visit today) two other species that have been recently added to the coffee farm aviary that are not listed on the guide: Northern Parula & American Redstart. I did not see the redstart but the keeper told me that there should be at least one female somewhere in there.

The barred parakeets are off-exhibit currently, and actually have been for a few months now. I was told they were doing some work with them that is much easier to do with them behind the scenes. The keeper said they should be back potentially in the winter.

Small Mammal House:

A new species has taken over the former black howler exhibit: Collared Brown Lemur. This species was still signed at Lemur Island, but I'm assuming this is the same pair that lived there. Now as seen earlier my assumptions are often wrong, but in the nearly four years they lived on Lemur Island I never once saw them and had been told previously that they didn't like going outside and they (the keepers) struggled finding ways to make them go out. Also unless someone at the zoo just really loves the species bringing in new individuals of a species they have elsewhere seems like an odd choice, so I'm assuming this is the same pair.
Small Mammal House - Collared Brown Lemur

Small Mammal House - Collared Brown Lemur

  • Media owner Andrew_NZP
  • Date added
  • Comments 2
August 23rd, 2023

Reptile Discovery Center:



A couple more new exhibits have been added, this time for European glass lizard and one for timber rattlesnakes.
Reptile Discovery Center - New European Glass Lizard Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New European Glass Lizard Exhibit

August 23rd, 2023
Reptile Discovery Center - New Timber Rattlesnake Exhibit

Reptile Discovery Center - New Timber Rattlesnake Exhibit

August 23rd, 2023

The unfinished exhibit I mentioned last time is still completely unfinished. Didn't even look like anything had been touched since.

Kids Farm:

The zoo recently acquired three kunekunes that are now on exhibit.
Kids Farm - Kunekune

Kids Farm - Kunekune

August 23rd, 2023
Click to expand...
These aren't really "small updates". They seem more like big updates to me.
 
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