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National Zoo @NationalZoo

The Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is a leader in animal care, science, education & sustainability. s.si.edu/emVrm

Joined October 2008
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5,517 Photos and videos
If you want to save turtles, you have to find them first... and that’s no easy task. This World Turtle Day, learn how researchers are working to find and save one of North America's most iconic turtles. Photo: Brooke McDonough, Smithsonian s.si.edu/46QCtd9
Photo of an eastern box turtle with a small radio tracking transmitter attached to its shell.

ALT Photo of an eastern box turtle with a small radio tracking transmitter attached to its shell.

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Tomorrow is #WorldMigratoryBirdDay! Fuel your birdwatching session with a coffee that supports birds and the environment. Drink Smithsonian Bird Friendly-certified coffee, protect hundreds of bird species. It's that easy. Learn more: birdfriendly.si.edu 📷: Smithsonian
Image of a pair of binoculars and a metal coffee thermos with the "Smithsonian Bird Friendly" logo on it.

ALT Image of a pair of binoculars and a metal coffee thermos with the "Smithsonian Bird Friendly" logo on it.

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On Tuesday, we shared an update from our Great Cats team as they prepared to say goodbye to our 21 y.o. "queen bee" African lion, Shera. This morning, she was humanely euthanized with her care team by her side. Learn more: s.si.edu/4uDu5r2.
African lion Shera. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

ALT African lion Shera. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

African lion Shera. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

ALT African lion Shera. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

Great Cats keeper Sydney Mayers feeds African lion Shera a beef chunk. (Roshan Patel/Smithsonian)

ALT Great Cats keeper Sydney Mayers feeds African lion Shera a beef chunk. (Roshan Patel/Smithsonian)

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African lion Shera has been a protective sister, a bossy mate and a doting mother. After a life well lived, keepers are preparing to say goodbye to the matriarch of the pride. Read the Great Cats team's reflection on her life, legacy and end-of-life care: s.si.edu/4uxB1G4.
African lion Shera rests on a bed of hay in her indoor enclosure at the Great Cats exhibit. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

ALT African lion Shera rests on a bed of hay in her indoor enclosure at the Great Cats exhibit. (Leigh Pitsko/Smithsonian)

African lion Shera in her outdoor habitat at the Great Cats exhibit on May 1, 2026. (Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian)

ALT African lion Shera in her outdoor habitat at the Great Cats exhibit on May 1, 2026. (Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian)

Great Cats keeper Charlie Shaw feeds African lion Shera a beef chunk containing her medications. (Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian)

ALT Great Cats keeper Charlie Shaw feeds African lion Shera a beef chunk containing her medications. (Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian)

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Linh Mai is 2.5 months old. Now over 498 lbs., she’s playful, curious and growing stronger every day after early feeding challenges. Read more: s.si.edu/3QmnzG9. Thanks to @AbbottNews for support of Linh Mai’s care. Photos by Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian
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The Zoo has reached capacity for today. Please consider planning your visit for another day. Thank you for your understanding. ☀️
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At just two months old, our Asian elephant calf is playful, curious…and a little sassy. She’s exploring the outdoors with “auntie” Swarna, who’s teaching her to be an elephant. Linh Mai will make her public debut on April 22, Earth Day. Learn more: s.si.edu/3Oi03cL
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🐼🌸🐼 Like cherry blossoms blooming at the Tidal Basin, a sure sign of spring is when giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao begin to show interest in one another. The result is an adorable tutorial in how to flirt, panda-style. ✏️STORY: s.si.edu/4sF9WAf.
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Due to inclement weather, today, Monday, Mar. 16, Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close at 2 p.m. ET.
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🌎🐘 Let's get ready to rumble, trumpet stomp: our little elephant, Linh Mai, will make her GIANT debut this Earth Day, April 22, at the Zoo and on the 🎥 Elephant Cam! Zoo members are invited to an exclusive viewing April 15 to 19. LEARN MORE: s.si.edu/4uxaNo0.
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🐘🔊 This is your Thursday morning wake up call, courtesy of Linh Mai. Our little elephant calf's got a mighty trumpet, which echoed through the Elephant Community Center as she excitedly explored with "auntie" Swarna. ✏️STORY: s.si.edu/40rNQEY.
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On International Day Of The Arabian Leopard, @NationalZoo and @RCU_SA announced the next step in a global effort to save the critically endangered Arabian leopard. Fewer than 120 remain—urgent action is essential. A new Zoo exhibit opens in 2029. s.si.edu/4qrkcdm
Arabian leopard. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla

ALT Arabian leopard. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla

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The Smithsonian's National Zoo is closed to the public Feb. 2 and 3 due to construction. Thank you for your understanding. 📸 Photo: Nikki Maticic/Smithsonian
Holstein cow Magnolia and Hereford cow Willow on a snowy day at the Kids' Farm.

ALT Holstein cow Magnolia and Hereford cow Willow on a snowy day at the Kids' Farm.

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The Smithsonian's National Zoo will open today, Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. Prefer to stay indoors? Check on the cubs from your own cozy den: s.si.edu/3ZyPJz0 Photo credit: Amber Dedrick/Smithsonian
A group of four cheetah cubs sit in a snowy yard. Their mother is seated behind them on the right-hand side of the image.

ALT A group of four cheetah cubs sit in a snowy yard. Their mother is seated behind them on the right-hand side of the image.

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The National Zoo and Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C. area are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to inclement weather. Image: Giant panda Qing Bao in the snow. Photo: Mariel Lally/Smithsonian
Giant panda Qing Bao in the snow.

ALT Giant panda Qing Bao in the snow.

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Un-brr-lievable scenes. ❄️ Snow kept visitors away, but many animals explored the snow, with warm indoor spaces nearby. Paw-se and enjoy these snapshots from the Zoo in D.C. Huge thanks to our teams onsite in every season. @smithsonian & the Zoo are closed Jan. 26 due to weather.
Giant panda Qing Bao in the snow.

ALT Giant panda Qing Bao in the snow.

Red wolf in the snow.

ALT Red wolf in the snow.

Hereford calf, Willow, in the snow.

ALT Hereford calf, Willow, in the snow.

Przelwalski's horse in the snow.

ALT Przelwalski's horse in the snow.

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📸 Giant panda Qing Bao: Katelyn Adkins 📸 Red wolf, Hereford calf and Przewalkski’s horse: Rosh Patel ❄️
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All Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and research centers will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26, due to winter weather. While the Zoo is closed, there’s still plenty to explore at nationalzoo.si.edu.
Red panda on a snowy day at Asia Trail exhibit. Photo: Mariel Lally

ALT Red panda on a snowy day at Asia Trail exhibit. Photo: Mariel Lally

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Photo: Red panda on a snowy day on Asia Trail. Photo: Mariel Lally
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🩷🥄 This cotton-candy-pink bird that looks like a cross between a flamingo and a Dr. Seuss illustration is a roseate spoonbill – the only spoonbill found in North America! 🔗 Learn more about these bold, bizarre and brilliant birds: s.si.edu/4szo2Dk.
A pair of spoonbills in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Connor Mallon/Smithsonian)

ALT A pair of spoonbills in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Connor Mallon/Smithsonian)

A spoonbill takes flight in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Skip Brown/Smithsonian)

ALT A spoonbill takes flight in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Skip Brown/Smithsonian)

A spoonbill perches atop a boulder in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Skip Brown/Smithsonian)

ALT A spoonbill perches atop a boulder in the Amazonian exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Skip Brown/Smithsonian)
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