Andean Bear Cub Brothers Now on View Outdoors at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Just in time for spring break, two male Andean bear cubs named Sean and Ian are now on view at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C. Over the past few weeks, the animal care team has worked with the brothers to prepare them for the transition. Cubs Ian and Sean began exploring the yard in mid-March alongside their mother, 4-year-old Brienne. For the past four months, members of the public have joined animal care staff in observing the cubs play and explore via a live Andean Bear Cub Cam and follow along with their growth through online “cubdates.”

Happy Birthday Kibibi!

Happy birthday, Kibibi! Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s "little lady" celebrated her 14th birthday yesterday, January 10^th, 2023. We’re turning back the clock with some archival footage highlights from herpast. First to 2009, the year of Kibibi’s birth. Then 2011, when 2-year-old- Kibibi received her first medical exam. And finally to 2020, when the staff dropped in on Kibibi’s husbandry training.

Look how far she’s come!

We can help western lowland gorillas like Kibibi by recycling. One of the metals inside electronic devices—tantalum—is mined from areas where gorillas live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We can protect their home—and reduce the need for more expansive coltan mining—by recycling our old electronics. Every small action has the potential to make a huge difference!

Video credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Andean Bear Cubs Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

After an eight-year hiatus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., is celebrating the birth of two Andean bears. The cubs were born Nov. 15 to first-time parents, 3-year-old mother Brienne and 9-year-old father Quito. The first cub was born around 4 p.m. and the second around 8:30 p.m. Animal care staff is closely monitoring the mother and cubs via the Andean Bear Cub Cam on the Zoo’s website, allowing Brienne to care for her offspring without interference. Virtual visitors can also observe the Andean bear family on this temporary platform until the cubs leave the den.

Cheetah Cubs Are Born At Smithsonian’s National Zoo And Conservation Biology Institute

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, welcomed a litter of two cheetah cubs. First-time mother, 4-year-old female Amani, birthed the cubs Oct. 3 around 9:17 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. ET. This is also the first litter sired by 7-year-old father Asante. As the first offspring of both parents, the cubs are genetically valuable. They appear to be strong, active, vocalizing and nursing well. Animal care staff are closely monitoring Amani and her cubs’ behaviors via the Cheetah Cub Cam on the Zoo’s website. Virtual visitors can also observe Amani and her cubs on this temporary platform until the cubs leave the dens.

Two Critically Endangered Blue-Billed Curassows Hatch at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

For the first time, Bird House keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., are celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered blue-billed curassows. The two female chicks are being cared for off-exhibit. The first chick, named Aluna, hatched Aug. 5. Her sister Lulo hatched Aug. 28. Aluna is the first offspring for 6-year-old mother, Jackie; the 16-year-old father, JB, previously sired chicks at another institution. Keepers report that the sisters are thriving and describe them as confident and curious.

Dust Bath with a Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec

Even for Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs, self-care is so important. This little fellow is taking a dust bath and scent-anointing (rubbing the new scent into his spines). Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Keepers give tenrecs novel scents and substrates as enrichment to encourage this natural behavior. In the wild, scent can be used as camouflage and parasite repellent!

Meet and greet amazing Smithsonian National Zoo animals at Brew at the Zoo on Sept. 8. Get up close to an adorable tenrec who looks even more adorable taking a dust bath. Tickets include unlimited beer & cider tastings, a souvenir glass & live music. Link to purchase tickets: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/brew-zoo

Two Critically Endangered Blue-Billed Curassows Hatch at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

For the first time, Bird House keepers at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are celebrating the hatching of two critically endangered blue-billed curassows. The two female chicks are being cared for off-exhibit. The first chick, named Aluna, hatched Aug. 5. Her sister Lulo hatched Aug. 28. Aluna is the first offspring for 6-year-old mother, Jackie; the 16-year-old father, JB, previously sired chicks at another institution. Keepers report that the sisters are thriving and describe them as confident and curious.

Fofo The Porcupette Quill Be Grown Up Before You Know It!

Don’t be put off by Fofo’s prickly appearance! As his name implies, Smithsonian National Zoo's 8-week-old prehensile-tailed porcupette is as “cute” as can be! Get to know Fofo in this Q+A with Small Mammal House keepers Maria Montgomery and Mimi Nowlin.

Photos: Mimi Nowlin/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Catch A Cheetah Cub or Two Playing On Cheetah Cam!

If you tune into the National Zoo's Cheetah Cub Cam, you might see one or two cubs playing in the den. The cubs are starting to play independently. When cheetah biologist, Adrienne Crosier, tuned into the cam in mid-January, she witnessed this female cub rolling around and having a ball in the den all on her own.

Quill You Look At That!

Prehensile-tailed porcupines, like Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s 2-week-old porcupette, are born with the ability to climb! At birth, their quills are soft, but they harden within minutes. The name prehensile means “capable of grasping”; the underside of its tail lacks quills, allowing the porcupine to grip branches with this appendage and navigate the forest canopy with ease.