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National Zoo panda cub named Xiao Qi Ji or ‘Little Miracle’
More than three months after his birth, the National Zoo's new panda cub finally has a name.
Zoo animals still need to be fed despite government shutdown
Hungry pandas don't particularly care whether there's a partial government shutdown.
Shutdown to close DC museums; some basic services provided
Museums and galleries popular with visitors and locals in the nation's capital will close starting midweek if the partial shutdown of the federal government drags on.
US-born panda Bao Bao lands in China after leaving DC zoo
BEIJING — Bao Bao, an American-born panda cub, arrived in China on Wednesday evening after leaving the National Zoo in Washington. The 3-year-old panda landed in Chengdu in southwest China after a 16-hour flight that was described by pilots and a keeper as having gone smoothly. Bao Bao left the zoo in a special crate […]
Panda cub’s older sister celebrates birthday at National Zoo
WASHINGTON — Her brother got the big party, but the National Zoo’s other young giant panda is also celebrating a birthday. Bao Bao turns 3 on Tuesday. That means she only has a year left at the National Zoo before she goes to China to enter its panda breeding program. China owns the pandas at […]
National Zoo closes attraction after E. coli discovered
WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian’s National Zoo shut down its Kid’s Farm exhibit after E. coli was found in some animals. National Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says the area is now under quarantine and will be closed. Veterinarians detected the E. coli stx1 bacteria in goats after a screening process on Feb. 18 and moved the […]
Members getting peek at National Zoo panda cub
WASHINGTON — Members of the National Zoo in Washington are getting an exclusive peek at panda cub Bei Bei. The cub, who was born Aug. 22, is set to make his public debut Jan. 16, but zoo members can see him starting Friday. Visitors who want to see Bei Bei will have to show they […]
National Zoo attempts to impregnate giant panda
WASHINGTON — An expert from China and scientists at the National Zoo are attempting to artificially inseminate the zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang. Zoo officials say the procedure was conducted Sunday night after scientists determined the zoo’s panda couple had not mated naturally. Dr. Li Desheng from the China Conservation and Research Center for […]
National Zoo outsources food services to Sodexo
WASHINGTON — The National Zoo has awarded a 10-year contract to Sodexo Inc. to upgrade concession stands into a food court and restaurant space and serve food in more locations. Under the contract announced Thursday, officials say Gaithersburg-based Sodexo will invest several million dollars to upgrade the dining facilities. Plans call for an upscale food […]
Obama budget calls for $47M Smithsonian increase
WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian Institution is requesting an increase of nearly $47 million in President Barack Obama’s budget proposal as it builds a new National Museum of African American History and Culture and renovates other facilities. The 2013 budget request announced Monday totals $857 million for the Smithsonian. It includes increases for the black history […]
National Zoo gets $4.5 million for panda breeding
WASHINGTON — The National Zoo announced a $4.5 million gift Monday to fund its giant panda reproduction program for five more years. Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein visited the pandas with China’s ambassador to the United States to announce the gift. Rubenstein is a co-founder and managing director of the Washington-based private equity firm The Carlyle […]
Most Smithsonian funding intact under budget deal
WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian Institution will see a $1.8 million cut in its 2011 budget under the spending deal approved by Congress. Details of the budget released Monday include a $759.6 million appropriation from Congress, down from $761.4 million last year. Most Smithsonian funding remains intact with a small reduction for salaries and expenses. There […]
