Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Zoo hopeful that bears will reach full term.
Move over Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. The biggest baby news on this side of the pond is that Billie Jean, a 6-year-old Andean bear, is pregnant with two cubs. The Smithsonian National Zoo made the announcement on Friday and officials are hoping Billie Jean will reach full term successfully as she did in January 2012, when she gave birth to two other cubs—Bernardo and Chaska. But what makes this story even sweeter is that Bille Jean mated naturally with Nikki, a male Andean bear that was humanely euthanized in August after he was diagnosed with skin cancer. So if the Billie Jean's cubs are born healthy, they'll be a legacy. “It would not only be a heartwarming story if Nikki’s legacy were to continue,” said Craig Saffoe, …
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sumatran tiger Soyono, 19, was the mother of seven cubs.
Sumatran tiger Soyono—who, at 19 years old was considered an elderly tiger—was humanely euthanized by veterinarians at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Monday morning, according to a zoo statement. Soyono—affectionately known as Soy—began exhibiting common signs of aging in early October, according to the statement. "Keepers noticed that she walked more slowly and seemed to have trouble with her balance. Zoo veterinarians monitored Soy’s health and administered medication to alleviate the symptoms associated with spondylosis—a degenerative disorder of the spine that can create abnormal pressure on the nerves," the statement reported. "Animal care staff made the decision to euthanize Soy when they observed that her health and …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Loki was euthanized "because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease," according to the National Zoo.
A young black howler monkey died Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Loki—born March 22, 2010, to first-time parents Chula (her mother) and Pele (her father)—was euthanized "because she was ill from complications of metabolic bone disease," the zoo said. The zoo described the disease as a vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus imbalance. It is most often caused by lack of sunlight (ultraviolet light), lack of dietary intake of vitamin D and/or the body’s inability to properly metabolize these compounds. "For five days, Loki was treated in the hospital with injectable vitamins, iron [and] calcium and exposed to direct sunlight while receiving around-the-clock nursing care," the zoo said. "A blood transfusion was provided from [her…
Monday, October 1, 2012
And, we have a winner!
The winner of this week's zoo caption contest is: Jill Dickey Timon and Pumbaa are never gonna let me live this down... Thanks for making our day! We'll contact you for information on where to send your prize. -- Did you know that the animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo take a swim test before they are allowed to wade in the zoo's waters? This week's picture is a throwback to when the African lion cubs were taking their swim test! So, can you come up with a caption for what this little guy is thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the …
Friday, September 21, 2012
And, we have a winner!
And, the winner is: PastorGuy "Cat Scratch Fever" Thanks for playing! We'll contact you about where to send your Patch swag! -- The Smithsonian’s National Zoo last week hosted two Olympians who got a chance to play around with the cheetah cubs. Justin Gatlin and Carmelita Jeter played ball with them. Check out the full gallery on the zoo's Flickr page. This week's picture is a throwback to when the cubs were born! So, can you come up with a caption for what this little guy is thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete with a tote bag, metal water bottle, magnet and pen. Patch local editors will pick the winners. We’re a tough …
Friday, September 14, 2012
And, we have a winner!
It's short and simple but seemed to capture the moment: Laura Starr "Mom!?" Your Patch swag is on its way! --- The Smithsonian’s National Zoo recently welcomed a male dama gazelle, who was born to mother Fahima and father Raul. Born on Sept. 4, this little guy was examined and zoo veteranarians say he's healthy and gaining weight. Although mom and calf will be off exhibit for a couple of weeks while they bond, you can check out photos on the zoo's Flickr page. But before you go there—caption this photo of the new calf. So, can you come up with a caption for what this little guy is thinking in the photo? We'll post one caption for a new photo each week, and the person with the most creative caption will win a Patch “swag kit”—complete …
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The American Trail opened at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on Sept. 1.
As the sea lions zipped, dipped and flipped by the underwater observation window of their new home on the American Trail at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, kids squealed with delight from the viewing area. When the sea lions got out of the water for a rest, they roared a bit. They seemed quite pleased with their new home. The American Trail—which used to be called "Beaver Valley," after a species of beavers living in the area—opened on Saturday, Sept. 1, after five years of renovations. The trail "[highlights] animals native to the United States and Canada that were once in danger of becoming extinct but have come back from the brink and are thriving because of conservation efforts," according to a zoo statement. The American Trail's …
Friday, September 7, 2012
And, we have a winner!
Update Friday, Sept. 14: And, the winner is: Elizabeth Shriver Checking out the ladies. "Well hellloo, Dollface." Thanks for the chuckle! Note: Elizabeth, please contact your Patch editor so that we know where to send your prize! --- The American Trail Exhibit opened over Labor Day weekend and you may want to take advantage of one of Washington, DC's finest (and free) attractions—the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Visiting the orangutans, tigers, elephants and other members of the animal kingdom at the National Zoo is a perfect end-of-summer activity for the whole family—and did we mention it’s free? One of the big attractions at the zoo is catching its residents in their environments and eavesdropping on their lives. Sometimes animals do…
Friday, August 31, 2012
Caption these photos of adorable animals at the National Zoo—and be sure to make us laugh!
Update: Friday, Sept 7: Thanks Wendy Ann Hester DuLaney for the laugh! We will be in contact with you about how to send you your prize! "I am in otter amazement!" ---------- It's Labor Day Weekend and you may want to use a last summer weekend to take advantage of one of Washington, DC's finest (and free) attractions—the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo. Visiting the orangutans, tigers, elephants and other members of the animal kingdom at the National Zoo is a perfect end-of-summer activity for the whole family—and did we mention it’s free? One of the big attractions at the zoo is catching its residents in their environments and eavesdropping on their lives. Sometimes animals do the strangest things! This week's photo showcases the …
Friday, August 24, 2012
We have a winner for this photo from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo!
Update Friday, Aug. 31: Winner declared! Richard Rice Guess who's coming to dinner? Congratulations and thanks for the laugh! We'll contact you to arrange to send your prize! -- Whether you've started school in Prince George's County or are about to start school in Montgomery County, you may want to use a last summer weekend to take advantage of one of Washington, DC's finest (and free) attractions—the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Visiting the orangutans, tigers, elephants and other members of the animal kingdom at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a perfect end-of-summer activity for the whole family—and did we mention it’s free? One of the big attractions at the zoo is catching its residents in their environment and eavesdropping on …
Sareen Gerson
6:51 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
But I LIKE fruitcycle headaches! more ›