photo by angela n.
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“On May 27, 2023, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute welcomed its newest member to the western lowland gorilla troop! The baby girl was born at the Great Ape House to mom Calaya, age 20, and dad Baraka, age 31.
This new baby—the second for both parents—joins the Zoo’s troop of gorillas: (more…)
815 V Street, NW
Thanks to Andrew for sending the latest from earlier this morning. The Atlantis opens May 30th with Foo Fighters.
930 F Street, NW photos via Library of Congress
Super cool history from the Library of Congress notes: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I was walking near the Zoo Loop Trail yesterday at 5:45pm, and the gates on both ends were wide open, with the trail getting plenty of use. Were the hours quietly extended” or did they just forget to close it?
Update from a reader:
“The trail is open until 7pm during the zoo’s summer hours. They are able to keep the trail area staffed and open for an hour after they close according to the zoo’s Director.” (more…)
From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a virtual town hall meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS), National Zoo (Zoo), and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. (more…)
On November 1st we had a lively discussion about “I would like to see the zoo rescind the ticket requirement for people entering the zoo on foot.” It seems EHN agrees – from her office:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) urged the National Zoo today to reevaluate its policy requiring visitors to reserve passes ahead of time, saying the policy deters both visits from those without access to a smartphone or the internet and spontaneous visits. In addition, the requirement differs from the standard Smithsonian policy of not requiring passes for entry.
“The National Zoo, which is in a residential neighborhood, is popular with both tourists and District of Columbia residents, and both should have easy access to the National Zoo,” Norton wrote. “I am concerned that the entry pass requirement may be limiting access or deterring visits to the National Zoo, especially for people who cannot get online, whether because they do not have a computer or smartphone or are unable to use such devices, for people who want to spontaneously visit and for people who have been led to believe by the website that entry passes are available only online.”
The full letter follows. (more…)
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Smithsonian’s National Zoo brightening this gloomy morning a bit with this tidbit:
“Golden-headed lion tamarins are some of the most devoted dads around! It’s typical for them to carry the babies and give mom a break. Small Mammal House keepers say our male, Coco, is always on alert when his offspring explore the habitat–he’s a bit of a helicopter parent!”
From the office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the final fiscal year 2023 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill direct the National Zoo to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in a manner that allows the National Zoo to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Norton met this week with the AZA. The AZA said the National Zoo has two options to extend the trail’s hours and maintain accreditation: extend the National Zoo’s hours of operations or build new fencing around the trail. The National Zoo has rejected both options.
The trail, which runs through the Nation Zoo’s grounds in Rock Creek Park and recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The National Zoo has tied the trail’s hours to the National Zoo’s hours of operations. (more…)
Photo credit: Rotterdam Zoo
From the Smithsonian National Zoo:
“The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) community is celebrating the arrival two female Asian elephants, 19-year-old Trong Nhi [trong-nEE] and her daughter, 9-year-old Nhi Linh [nEE-lin], to Washington, D.C. They join male Spike (41) and females Kamala (47), Swarna (47), Bozie (47) and Maharani (32) at the Elephant Trails exhibit, a habitat that includes space for socializing, training and playing while providing staff safe access to care for the animals. (more…)
“Dear Popville,
Since the start of the pandemic, the zoo has required tickets for access. While restricting access aligned with scientific recommendations when less was known about outdoor transmission of COVID and when transmission in the area was high, that is no longer the case. As a primarily outdoor venue, there is no reason to set capacity limits or require walk in visitors to seek a pass. Furthermore, zoo staff report that the current capacity limits the zoo has set for itself are never reached. Given current CDC guidelines and community transmission, there is no basis for continuing to restrict access to this public resource. (more…)
photos via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“Last week, cheetah Amani moved her cubs into some tall grasses in their yard. Keepers report the family is doing great! Catch up with our cheetah family and don’t miss an adorable clip of Amani practicing picking the cubs up.” (more…)