Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

06/13/2026

🎉🦭🌊 Three cheers for California sea lion Sidney, who is “sea-lebrating” her 17th birthday today! American Trail keepers say what they enjoy most about working with Sidney is her unique way of doing things.

“Sidney has some quirky behaviors that just make us laugh,” says keeper Jackie Spicer. “To scratch an itch, for example, she will come to the surface of the water and roll up against the rockwork.” Spicer says Sidney can be very habitual with her preferences, including the fish she likes to eat and the spot she likes to rest and relax in. Knowing Sidney’s likes and dislikes makes it easier for keepers to care for her.

Sea lions are very social and outgoing animals. At American Trail, Sidney shares a habitat with two other female sea lions—Celia and Ronin—and three young pelicans. Sidney enjoys the company of the sea lions but will also let them know when they are overbearing. Sea lions often make their displeasure known with their loud, iconic bark or by using their bodies to push each other around.

As ambassadors for their wild counterparts, our sea lions teach visitors about their social and outgoing nature. California sea lions don’t have a set social structure; instead, they come and go based on needs like feeding, resting, breeding and pupping. Wondering what to call a group of them? It depends where they are. In the water a group of sea lions is considered a raft. On land, they are considered a colony. And during mating and pupping, they are considered rookeries!

Photos by Ashley McDermott and Sarah Snider Keys/Smithsonian.

06/12/2026

Congratulations to National Zoo research associate Fernanda Abra, who received the 2026 National Geographic Society Wayfinder Award!

Fernanda was recognized for her leadership in developing innovative solutions to reconnect fragmented forests across the Amazon and preventing animals from being struck by vehicles. Through canopy bridges installed high in treetops, she has facilitated thousands of safe crossings for arboreal mammals, helping animals move through fragmented landscapes and access the habitat they need to survive.

We are proud to see Fernanda's work recognized on the global stage and to celebrate the role Smithsonian science plays in helping save species and protect the ecosystems they call home.

Photo credits:
Image 1: Fernanda Abra, Smithsonian
Image 2: Sergio Leal

06/11/2026

If you live in the continental United States, chances are you’re never far from a striped skunk. 🦨

Sure, they can be stinky, but striped skunks play an important role across most environments as medium-sized omnivores. They'll eat most things: rodents, insects, fruits, roots and even carrion, making them an essential part of the food web.

Keep your distance and these striking animals can make for great neighbors. Get too close and you might find yourself with a smelly souvenir; scientists consider a skunk's spray to be one of the most effective chemical defenses in the animal kingdom. Luckily, skunks will give you plenty of warning signs before they spray.

Visit https://s.si.edu/4vHpQuT to learn more about striped skunks, whom author Ernest Thompson Seton once called "the proper emblem of America."

Photo: Clyde Nishimura, Smithsonian

06/09/2026

📢 EleFest is coming August 7–9! 🐘

Join us for a three-day festival celebrating our newest Asian elephant calf, Linh Mai, and the rest of our herd of gentle giants. Enjoy free family-friendly activities, live performances, animal demonstrations and more as we count down to World Elephant Day on August 12.

Beginning today, Zoo members get early access to two special ticketed programs:
🍹 Happy Hour With Elephants (21+) on August 7
🧘 Yoga With Elephants on August 8 and 9

Become a member today at https://nationalzoo.si.edu/membership to secure your spot before tickets open to everyone.

🎟️Visit https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events/elefest for more EleFest information!

In honor of World Elephant Day, join us as we celebrate the Zoo’s newest Asian elephant calf, Linh Mai, with a three-day festival packed with culture, conservation and community! Visit the Zoo from Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, and discover unforgettable experiences inspired by the Zoo.....

06/08/2026

Some of our nation’s most iconic animals live on American Trail: splashing sea lions, majestic bald eagles and playful river otters. But a trio of seabirds are unexpectedly stealing visitors’ hearts with their larger-than-life personalities, mesmerizing gular fluttering and joyful excitement about finding (and showing off) a good stick.

Celebrate World Ocean Day by getting to know our delightful brown pelican rescues—Eugene, Pippin and Frankie—in our Q&A with keeper Erin Whatley. 🔗STORY: https://s.si.edu/4g8Mish. . .
We can all do our part to protect wildlife by keeping our beaches and oceans clean! You can help by:

🌊 Being a good steward of the environment and keeping the waters clean. Brown pelicans’ primary food source is fish, so whatever pollutants fish are exposed to or consume, pelicans are susceptible to as well. If you fish, remember to pick up fishing line and dispose of it properly.

🌊 Reducing use of single-use plastics. Each year, up to 12 million metric tons of plastic pollution end up in the ocean. Protect brown pelicans and their habitats by opting for reusable water bottles, grocery bags, utensils and straws.

🌊Supporting sustainable seafood choices. At the Zoo, we strive to source the fish our brown pelicans eat from sustainable sources. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafoodwatch.org to learn how you can make responsible choices when purchasing your seafood.

Photos by Brett Kuxhausen and Roshan Patel/Smithsonian.

06/06/2026

More than 220 years after Lewis and Clark set out to catalog and explore the newly acquired lands beyond the Mississippi River, a team of Smithsonian scientists and collaborators are retracing their journey — with a 21st-century toolkit.

As part of the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250” initiative, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary, a team of Smithsonian wildlife ecologists are comparing 2026 wildlife observations with the detailed records kept by the Corps of Discovery, to gain insight into how species distributions, habitats and ecosystems have shifted since the days of the expedition.

Learn more: https://s.si.edu/49FKbIy

06/05/2026

We're hoppy to share there are a variety of new faces at the National Zoo this spring! Meet the cute, rare and remarkable zoo babies, including our new Bennett's wallaby joey, who can be seen hanging out of mom Victoria's pouch outside the Small Mammal House. 🦘

Meet all of the new arrivals here: https://s.si.edu/431Rerf

Photos: Brett Kuxhausen, Smithsonian

06/04/2026

When beavers disappear from a landscape, the impacts are felt far and wide. Without beavers, stream beds continue to degrade, and it can be difficult to bring beavers back until the habitat quality improves.

Maya Rayle, an ecologist with the Smithsonian's Great Plains Science Program, is trying to change that. With a network of landowners, non-profits and government agencies, Rayle is studying whether man-made "beaver" dams can restore Montana's prairie streams. Although these artificial dams have been proven to work in wetter ecosystems, they could be a crucial tool for habitat restoration in drier ecosystems, like prairies.

Learn more:

Smithsonian researcher Maya Rayle is studying whether artificial beaver dams can revive the stream valleys of the Great Plains.

06/03/2026

Ants, beware. Obi the southern tamandua — a tree-dwelling species of anteater — is slurping his way into his habitat at the National Zoo.

Obi (short for "Oblio") joined the Small Mammal House in April, having moved from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. His keepers say the 7-month-old tamandua is very curious and a huge fan of mealworms.

“He’s settling in really well,” said keeper Chelia Chong. “He’s still figuring out how to move through the exhibit. He’s had a few awkward moments here and there. But his tail always catches him.”

Native to South America, tamanduas are expert climbers whose prehensile tails are a key tool in their ability to navigate forest canopies. When next visiting the Small Mammal House, remember to look up to spot Obi and our other arboreal species!

Meet Obi: https://s.si.edu/4oc4ofe

Photos: Brett Kuxhausen, Smithsonian

05/30/2026

🌊🦭 Dive into with Sidney, Celia and Ronin—our sea lion colony! These marine mammals are NOISY—but how many sounds can they make? Quench your curiosity in this virtual keeper talk with American Trail keeper Sydney Lenz! . .
🫶🏝️ Although sea lions aren’t endangered, they still face many threats: plastic pollution, difficulty finding enough food, and toxic blooms of algae due to fertilizer run-off. The good news is, there are many ways to help sea lions and keep our beaches and oceans clean! Here’s what you can do: . .
♻️🚮 Skip single-use plastics, like grocery bags and utensils. Each year, up to 12 million metric tons of plastic pollution end up in the ocean. Plastic does not decompose. Instead, it is reduced to smaller pieces which have been found in the bellies of marine animals. It's not just the microplastics themselves that are a problem—they can also leech toxins into sea lion habitat. . .
🎣📲 Shop sustainable. In the wild, sea lions often can’t find enough to eat. Due to the lack of fish available, females need to travel further out to hunt for themselves. The longer they are gone, the more at risk they are of becoming separated from their pups. At the Zoo, we strive to source the fish our sea lions eat from sustainable sources. By visiting seafoodwatch.org or downloading the Seafood Watch App, you can also make responsible choices when purchasing your seafood! . .
🦭🚶 If you see a sea lion in the wild, keep your distance. Sea lions are territorial and can be stressed out by humans approaching. If you see a sea lion that appears to be abandoned or in distress, contact a local rescue center that has the resources and trained staff to assess the situation. . .
🎟️ Admission is free! Get your entry pass online at nationalzoo.si.edu/visit.