Smithsonian Science » Science Spotlight

Shera, a 5-year-old lioness at the National Zoological Park

John Barrat — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:30:48 +0000

On Aug, 31, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed this year’s second litter of African lion (Panthera leo) cubs. Five-year-old Shera (shown at right) gave birth to four cubs. It was Shera’s first litter and the first surviving litter for 4-year-old male Luke. Although the Zoo has managed lions in the past, it has been many years since it had the right combination of animals by age and gender to develop a pride. Doing so successfully has required extensive planning, knowledge of the species’ natural history and an understanding of the individual animals involved.

Exhibition: Endangered plants here and around the world

John Barrat — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:28:05 +0000

Yellow lady’s slippers, watercolor by Kathleen Garness, from the National Museum of Natural History exhibit “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World,” opening Aug. 14. The exhibition, a collaborative effort between the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Natural History Museum, showcases botanical illustrations and features work from several renowned artists, including Alice Tangerini, one of the Smithsonian’s acclaimed scientific illustrators.

New Zealand Embassy donates kiwi pair to National Zoo Breeding Science Center

John Barrat — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:53:48 +0000

Kiwis come to National Zoo. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be using a new kiwi pair donated by the New Zealand Embassy to establish a breeding science center. Both birds came from the Ngati Hine people in New Zealand. Adding these animals to the genetic pool in North America is a rare and valuable opportunity. This pair came with another pair that will continue on to Germany and one bird that went to the San Diego Zoo. Kiwis are native to New Zealand and have been there for more than 60 million years, making them New Zealand’s most ancient bird. (Photo by Mehgan Murphy)

Lifeboat from airships “America” and “Akron” donated to the Smithsonian

John Barrat — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:18:36 +0000

This 1911 photograph shows Kiddo, the first cat to attempt to cross the Atlantic by airship, and Melvin Vaniman, engineer of the airship America. Kiddo was the subject of the first ever wireless radio message sent from an aircraft. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is donating the lifeboat used on two early attempted crossings of the Atlantic by airship to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The earliest attempt was made by the airship America in 1910, and the first wireless message from a powered aircraft was sent from the radio position in the lifeboat. The second attempt was the flight of the Akron, the first Goodyear airship, in 1912. The lifeboat is 27 feet long with a 6-foot beam and is constructed of three thicknesses of mahogany veneer.

NEW ACQUISITION: Remains of William Taylor White (1837-1852) donated to Smithsonian with his coffin and clothing

Slide Show: Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is 100!

John Barrat — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:24:14 +0000

Since its doors first opened in 1910, the National Museum of Natural History has inspired curiosity and learning about the natural world and our place in it. Building upon the strong foundation of our extensive collections, the staff of the museum have been at the forefront of essential scientific exploration and research, and groundbreaking public exhibition and education. This slideshow and the website (www.mnh.si.edu/onehundredyears/) is a living documentary of the Museum’s 100-year history.

Red-billed hornbill hatched at National Zoo

John Barrat — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:41:37 +0000

One, possibly two, red-billed hornbill chicks hatched in early May at the National Zoo’s Bird House. Red-billed hornbills are found in savanna and woodland areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Due to this species’ peculiar nesting behavior, it was only recently that keepers have been able to confirm one chick.

“When the female of this species is satisfied that she’s found just the right home for her chicks in a tree, rock face or another nest, she gives it her final seal of approval—literally,” said Kathy Brader, bird keeper. “Using mud, droppings and food, the male helps the female wall herself into the nest, leaving a narrow vertical slit as her only opening to the outside world. Due to the nature of the way she is sealed in, we could only verify one chick, but there is a good possibility there may be another.”

Genetics lab opens at the National Zoo

John Barrat — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:31:21 +0000

The National Zoo marked the opening of its new genetics lab with the cutting of a double-helix “ribbon” on May 25. The new lab will accommodate rapidly developing technology and facilitate collaboration with the Zoo’s pathologists, veterinarians, reproductive biologists, ecologists, behaviorists and other scientists. (From left: Nancy Rotzel, Jesus Maldonado, Steven L. Monfort, Rob Fleischer, Eva Pell, and Dennis Kelly)

“MEanderthal,” National Museum of Natural History’s first ever mobile application

John Barrat — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:40:25 +0000

“MEanderthal” is a new mobile application that makes the morphing technology used in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins available for free on mobile devices. Users are able to use an existing portrait of themselves or take a new portrait and morph it into a verison of how they might appear as one of humankind’s early relatives. Download it at: itunes.apple.com/us/app/meanderthal/id370710977?mt=8

Thepytus carmen, a newly described species of butterfly from Brazil

John Barrat — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:49:41 +0000

Thepytus carmen, a newly described species of butterfly from Brazil, was recently named in memory of Carmen Lúcia Buck in recognition of the gracious support of science that she and her husband Peter have provided to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Described by Smithsonian entomologist Robert K. Robbins and Marcelo Duarte, Museum of Zoology, University of São Paulo. (Illustration by Vichai Malikul)

Kiwi chick hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:10:46 +0000

One of the world’s most endangered species—a brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli—hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Bird House, early Tuesday morning, March 30. [...more] (Photo by Mehgan Murphy) Related posts:New Zealand Embassy donates kiwi pair to National Zoo Breeding Science Center Red-billed hornbill hatched at National Zoo Baby Boom of Endangered Species at Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Conservation and [...] Related posts: