National Zoological Park (United States) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Zoological Park

Front entrance
Date opened	May 6, 1889; 136 years ago (1889-05-06)
Location	3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Land area	Zoo: 163 acres (66 ha) SCBI: 3,200-acre (1,300 ha)
Coordinates	38°55′52″N 77°02′59″W / 38.93111°N 77.04972°W / 38.93111; -77.04972
No. of animals	Zoo: 2,000 SCBI: 30–40 endangered species
No. of species	400
Annual visitors	1.8 million (2019)
Memberships	AZA
Major exhibits	Amazonia, American Trail, Asia Trail, Bird House, Giant Panda Habitat, Great Ape House, Kids' Farm, Reptile Discovery Center, Small Mammal House, Think Tank

The National Zoological Park, often called the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which means you can visit for free! The zoo opened in 1889. Its main goal is to help people connect with animals. It also works to save wildlife and their homes.

The National Zoo has two locations. The first is a 163-acre park in Washington, D.C.. It is located in Rock Creek Park and is easy to reach by MetroRail. The second location is the 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. This special place is not open to the public. It focuses on training wildlife experts. It also helps rare animals have babies, both naturally and with special help. The National Zoo is approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Between both locations, the zoo cares for about 2,700 animals from 390 different species. About one-fifth of these animals are endangered or threatened. Most of the animals you can see are at the Washington, D.C. park. You can find birds, great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and many more. But the most famous animals are the giant pandas! The SCBI facility houses 30 to 40 endangered species. The National Zoo was one of the first zoos to start scientific research programs. Because it is part of the Smithsonian, the zoo gets money from the government to operate.

The National Zoo is open every day of the year. The only day it closes is December 25, Christmas Day. The zoo was closed for a while during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened on May 21, 2021.

History of the National Zoo

View at the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., 1909

The zoo began in 1886 as a part of the National Museum. In 1889, the U.S. Congress officially created the National Zoo. They wanted it to help science and be a fun place for people. In 1890, it became part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Three important people helped plan the zoo. They were Samuel Langley, William Temple Hornaday, and Frederick Law Olmsted. William T. Hornaday was the zoo's first director. He took care of 185 animals when the zoo first opened on May 6, 1889. They wanted the zoo to show animals to the public. They also wanted it to be a safe place for wildlife, like bison and beaver, which were disappearing.

Elephant fed by a zoo attendant through the bars of a fence at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., circa 1915

For its first 50 years, the National Zoo showed off one or two types of exotic animals. But then, many wild animal numbers started to drop because of human actions. The zoo staff began to focus on saving entire species. Many of these were popular zoo animals, like elephants and tigers.

Some special animals were given to the zoo by U.S. presidents. Often, these were gifts from leaders of other countries. One famous animal was Billy the pygmy hippopotamus. He is an ancestor to almost all pygmy hippos in American zoos today. Another was Rebecca the raccoon, a pet of President Calvin Coolidge.

In the mid-1950s, the zoo hired its first full-time animal doctor. This showed how important animal health care had become. In 1958, a group called Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) was started. This group helped the zoo get more money from Congress. This extra money helped the zoo grow and improve. FONZ also started education and volunteer programs.

In the early 1960s, the zoo started focusing on breeding and studying animals that were in danger. In 1965, the zoo created a research division. This team studied how zoo animals have babies, how they act, and how they live in their environment. They wanted to learn the best ways to care for the animals.

In 1975, the zoo created the Conservation and Research Center (CRC). In 2010, this center was renamed the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI). This name is also used for all the science work done at both zoo locations. At the 3,200-acre Virginia campus, rare animals like Mongolian wild horses and scimitar-horned oryx live and breed. SCBI focuses on how animals reproduce, how they relate to their habitats, and how to train new conservation scientists.

Modern Status of the Zoo

A waterfall in the zoo.

Two orangutans crossing over visitors via the "O Line"

Today, animals at the National Zoo live in groups that are more like their natural homes. Rare and endangered species, like golden lion tamarins and Sumatran tigers, are having babies and raising their young. This shows how successful the zoo's conservation programs are. The zoo's research team studies animals both in the wild and at the zoo. They study how animals reproduce, how they behave, and how they migrate.

The National Zoo also has programs to teach students, teachers, and families about animals. They train wildlife experts from all over the world. The zoo uses the internet to share its programs with people everywhere.

Future plans include making the zoo's older buildings more modern. They also want to do more education, research, and conservation work. The Asia Trail, which has homes for seven Asian species like sloth bears and red pandas, was created as part of a renewal plan. The Kids' Farm, which opened in 2004, is still open thanks to a donation. Elephant Trails, which opened in 2013, is a new home for the zoo's elephants.

The zoo is supported by taxes and is free to visit. It attracts about 2 million visitors each year.

The National Zoo has its own police force, the National Zoological Park Police (NZPP). These are full-time law enforcement officers. The NZPP is one of the oldest police groups in Washington, D.C. They work closely with other police departments.

Animal Exhibits

David M. Rubenstein Giant Panda Habitat

Tian Tian at the National Zoo

The zoo's giant panda habitat is very modern. It has three outdoor areas where pandas can play. It also has an indoor area with rocks and a waterfall. The exhibit looks like the pandas' natural home.

The current pandas living here are Bao Li and Qing Bao. They arrived at the zoo on October 15, 2024. They met the public on January 24, 2025. They are part of a program to study, protect, and breed giant pandas.

Before them, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian lived here. They were on loan from China. They had four cubs that survived, all through artificial insemination. Their cubs were Tai Shan, Bao Bao, Bei Bei, and Xiao Qi Ji. Mei Xiang was 22 years old when she gave birth to Xiao Qi Ji in 2020. This made her the oldest giant panda in the U.S. to give birth. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji returned to China in November 2023.

To feed the pandas, zoo staff collect fresh bamboo from areas around Washington, D.C. The pandas also get "panda bread," a special steamed mix of flours.

Asia Trail

This area opened in October 2006 and features animals from Asia. Besides giant pandas, you can see sloth bears, fishing cats, red pandas, clouded leopards, and Asian small-clawed otters. Many of these animals are endangered.

Elephant Trails

Asian elephants have a new home called Elephant Trails. The first part opened in September 2010. It has a large barn and two new outdoor yards, one with a pool. The elephants also have a quarter-mile walkway through the woods. The total outdoor space is 1.9 acres. Elephant Trails helps scientists care for elephants in zoos and in the wild. The Elephant House, built in 1937, was updated to become the Elephant Community Center. Six Asian elephants live here: one male named Spike and five females named Bozie, Swarna, Maharani, Trong Nhi, and Nhi Linh.

Lemur Island

Uncle Beazley near Lemur Island

Lemur Island is an island surrounded by water. It is home to a group of male ring-tailed lemurs and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. This island used to be called Monkey Island and held Barbary macaques when it opened in 1983.

Near the island, you can see Uncle Beazley. This is a fiberglass statue of a Triceratops. It was made for the 1964 New York World's Fair. The statue is named after a dinosaur in a children's book called The Enormous Egg.

The Small Mammal House

Dwarf mongoose at the National Zoo's Small Mammal House

Most of the zoo's smaller mammals live in the Small Mammal House. You can see animals like golden lion tamarins, red ruffed lemurs, dwarf mongooses, chinchillas, two-toed sloths, fennec foxes, and meerkats.

A pair of white-nosed coatis live behind the building. You might also spot a green aracari bird inside.

American Trail

The American Trail shows animals found in North America. These include California sea lions, grey seals, North American beavers, North American river otters, red wolves, and bald eagles.

There is also a cafe called Seal Rock Cafe. It serves food made from local and sustainable ingredients.

Great Ape House

Gorillas at the National Zoo

The Great Ape House opened in 1981. It has two main areas. One area is home to six western lowland gorillas. The other area houses six orangutans. The orangutans can travel between their home and the Think Tank building using the "O-Line." This is a series of high cables supported by metal towers.

Think Tank

The Think Tank helps visitors learn how animals think and learn. It opened in 1995. It has interactive displays that show how zoologists study animals. The zoo's orangutans sometimes use this building. Other animals here include land hermit crabs and brown rats.

Gibbon Ridge

Gibbon Ridge is an enclosure for four siamangs.

Great Cats

The Great Cats exhibit opened in the mid-1970s. It has three enclosures. The zoo rotates three lions and three tigers between these exhibits. You might see Sumatran tigers or Siberian tigers.

Between the main lion and tiger yards and the Think Tank, there are two smaller habitats. One has a pair of Bat-Eared Foxes. The other will soon feature Canada Lynx.

Africa Trail

A Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) at the National Zoo.

This outdoor exhibit is designed to look like the African savanna. It teaches visitors about cheetahs and how to protect them. This area is currently closed for updates and will reopen by the end of 2026. Before the updates, you could see animals like Hartmann's mountain zebras, addaxes, and ostriches here.

Amazonia

Opened in 1992, this exhibit lets you walk through a South America-themed area. It has animals and plants from the Amazon basin. You can see freshwater stingrays, yellow-spotted river turtles, a two-toed sloth, and many types of poison dart frogs.

The Amazonia Science Gallery is downstairs. Here, you can learn about the zoo's work to protect species worldwide. It also has a Coral Lab with many corals, clownfish, and sea anemones. The Electric Fishes Demonstration Lab has a five-foot-long electric eel and other electric fish.

The Reptile Discovery Center

The zoo's reptile house opened in 1931. It has seventy species of reptiles and amphibians. These include Aldabra giant tortoises, Cuban crocodiles, Japanese giant salamanders, Gila monsters, green anacondas, and king cobras.

Behind the building, there are exhibits for the Komodo dragon and Chinese alligators. In front, you can see an American alligator named Wally.

The Bird House

American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) outside of The Bird House

The Bird House opened in 1928. It focuses on how birds migrate. It has three different aviaries, each showing a different habitat important for bird migration. These include Delaware Bay (for shorebirds), Prairie Pothole (for waterfowl), and Costa Rican Coffee Farm (for migratory songbirds). Outside, you can see larger birds like kori bustards, sandhill cranes, and American flamingos. The birdhouse closed for updates in 2017 and reopened in 2023.

Claws & Paws Pathway

This is the newest exhibit at the zoo. It is a small path with exhibits for binturongs, bobcats, Pallas's cats, and a North American porcupine.

The Kids' Farm

The Kids' Farm opened in 2004. It is for children and has farm animals. You can see alpacas, hens, miniature donkeys, cows, pigs, and goats. There is also a small pond with koi fish.

American Bison Exhibit

An American bison at the National Zoo

The zoo opened a new American bison exhibit on August 30, 2014. This was part of their 125th-anniversary celebration. The exhibit featured two female bison, Lucy and Gally. They arrived at the zoo in 2020. As of summer 2025, the bison are not on display.

Other Animals

Other animals at the zoo include spectacled bears (near Amazonia), black-tailed prairie dogs (near Claws & Paws Pathway), Przewalski's horses (near the Small Mammal House), Patagonian maras (near American Trail), and Bennett's wallabies (also near the Small Mammal House).

Special Events at the Zoo

The zoo holds fun events throughout the year. Some events raise money for animal care and conservation.

• Woo at the Zoo – A Valentine's Day talk where animal experts share facts about animal dating and mating.
• Earth Day: Party for the Planet – A celebration of Earth Day where you can learn how to live in a more eco-friendly way.
• Easter Monday – A family event with activities, entertainment, and chances to learn about animals. This tradition started because African Americans were not allowed at the White House Easter Egg Roll for many years.
• Zoofari – An evening event with food, music, and dancing. Chefs from many D.C. restaurants prepare delicious food.
• Brew at the Zoo – Guests can try different beers from small breweries.
• ZooFiesta – The zoo celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dancers, crafts, and Latin American foods.
• Rock-N-Roar – An event with live music, food, and special viewings of lions and tigers.
• Autumn Conservation Festival – Held at the SCBI in Virginia. Visitors can talk with scientists and see behind-the-scenes areas with endangered animals.
• Boo at the Zoo – Families with children can trick-or-treat at the zoo. There are animal encounters and festive decorations.

Zoolights event at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.

• Zoolights – The zoo's winter celebration. The zoo is covered with thousands of sparkling lights and animated displays. There are also special talks and live entertainment.

Friends of the National Zoo

Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) was a non-profit group that helped the zoo for 63 years. They supported wildlife conservation, guest services, and education programs. FONZ memberships offered free parking and discounts. They also published a magazine called Wild.Life.

FONZ had 60,000 members and over 1,000 volunteers. They offered birthday parties and day camps. In February 2021, the zoo ended its partnership with FONZ. FONZ then became a smaller group called Conservation Nation.

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Kim Terrell (SCBI), Andy Loudon and Dr. Reid Harris (James Madison University) investigate the role of skin microbes and immune function under different climate scenarios

The Smithsonian started its Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in 2010. It leads the Smithsonian's efforts to save species and train future conservationists worldwide. The main campus is in Front Royal, Virginia. It used to be called the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center.

SCBI helps with research programs at Front Royal, the National Zoo, and other places around the world. Its work helps the Smithsonian's goal of understanding and protecting Earth's diverse life.

Conservation biology is a science that believes protecting different kinds of life is important for people now and in the future.

The Institute has six centers:

• Conservation Ecology Center (CEC): Works to help endangered wildlife and their homes.
• Migratory Bird Center: Studies birds that travel long distances.
• Center for Species Survival (CSS): Researches how animals reproduce and behave.
• Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics (CCEG): Uses genetics to understand and protect different species.
• Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CBES): Teaches about conservation and helps groups be more eco-friendly.
• Center for Wildlife Health and Husbandry Sciences: Focuses on the health and well-being of all zoo animals.

Incidents at the Zoo

• In 1983, a boy stole a venomous Gaboon viper from the zoo. He was bitten by the snake. The zoo needed more antivenom from other zoos to treat him.
• In January 2003, red pandas died after eating rat poison. A pest control company had buried it in their yard.
• In July 2003, a wild animal, likely a red fox, entered an exhibit and killed a bald eagle.
• In December 2006, a clouded leopard escaped from its exhibit because of a broken fence. It was later caught.
• On May 3, 2022, a wild red fox from Rock Creek Park entered an enclosure. It killed 25 flamingos and a duck, and injured 3 other flamingos.

Notable Animals

Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear playing in his pool, sometime in the 1950s

One of the most famous animals at the zoo was Smokey Bear. He was the "living symbol" of the cartoon character who taught people to prevent forest fires. He was a black bear cub rescued from a fire. He lived at the zoo from 1950 until he passed away in 1976. Millions of people visited him. He even received up to 13,000 letters a week! The U.S. Post Office gave him his own special zip code.

Smokey Bear was "married" to Goldie Bear. When they did not have cubs, an orphaned cub was added to their home. This cub was named "Little Smokey." In 1975, the original Smokey Bear retired, and Little Smokey became "Smokey Bear II."

Ham the Chimpanzee

Ham was the first great ape launched into space in 1961. The chimpanzee retired to the National Zoo in 1963. He lived there for 17 years before moving to the North Carolina Zoo. He lived with other chimpanzees there until he passed away in 1983.

Giant Pandas

Tai Shan at the National Zoo

In 1972, during President Richard Nixon's visit to China, the Chinese government gave two giant pandas to the U.S. These pandas were Ling-Ling (female) and Hsing-Hsing (male). First Lady Pat Nixon welcomed them to the zoo. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing were the first giant pandas in America and were very popular. Ling-Ling passed away in 1992, and Hsing-Hsing in 1999. They had five cubs, but none survived past infancy.

A new pair of pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, arrived from China in late 2000. The zoo paid a large amount for their 10-year loan. On July 9, 2005, a male panda cub was born. This was the first panda cub to survive at the zoo. He was named Tai Shan ("Peaceful Mountain"). Tai Shan was owned by the Chinese government and returned to China in February 2010.

On September 16, 2012, Mei Xiang had another cub, but it passed away after six days. In August 2015, Mei Xiang gave birth to two cubs, but only one survived. The surviving male cub was named Bei Bei. First Lady Michelle Obama and China's First Lady Peng Liyuan chose his name.

Bao Bao, another cub, left the zoo for China in February 2017.

In August 2020, Mei Xiang gave birth to a male cub named Xiao Qi Ji. She was 22 years old, making her the oldest panda in the U.S. to give birth. This was a big success for the zoo's breeding program.

On November 8, 2023, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji returned to China. This ended their 23 years at the zoo.

On May 29, 2024, the zoo announced that new pandas would arrive. Male Bao Li and female Qing Bao came to the zoo on October 15, 2024. They made their public debut on January 24, 2025.

Images for kids

• 

  Red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra)

• 

  Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)

• 

  A Komodo dragon at the zoo's Reptile Discovery Center

• 

  Lesser kudus at the National Zoo

• 

  A California sea lion underwater

• 

  Pond sliders on a tree log at the zoo

• 

  Chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) at the zoo's former Invertebrate Exhibit.

• 

  Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

• 

  Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

• 

  Inside the zoo's Elephant House before transformation into Elephant Community Center.

See also

In Spanish: Parque zoológico nacional Smithsoniano para niños