Tag Archive | "endangered species"

Captive colony of Virginia big-eared bats providing valuable lessons in battle against deadly white-nose syndrome

Captive colony of Virginia big-eared bats providing valuable lessons in battle against deadly white-nose syndrome

Eleven bats remain in the National Zoo’s colony. The initial challenge the team faced was how to feed the animals. Virginia big-eared bats, which are a subspecies of the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinuss townsendii), eat while flying. [...more]

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Researchers compile colorful on-line guide to marine algae of Panama

Researchers compile colorful on-line guide to marine algae of Panama

“Our guide celebrates the beauty of some of the most attractive inhabitants of Panama’s undersea realm and provides an indispensable, easy-to-use tool for their identification,” say the Littlers. [...more]

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Clouded leopard cubs born at National Zoo’s Front Royal campus on Valentine’s Day

Clouded leopard cubs born at National Zoo’s Front Royal campus on Valentine’s Day

Staff had been on a pregnancy watch focused on the 3 1/2-year-old clouded leopard Jao Chu (JOW-chew) for four days. Jao Chu gave birth to the first cub at 6:04 p.m. and the second cub at 6:20 p.m. [...more]

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Smithsonian scientists give giant pandas a helping hand at reproduction

Smithsonian scientists give giant pandas a helping hand at reproduction

Timing was critical because female giant pandas ovulate only once a year. A short period of two to three days around ovulation is the only time she is able to conceive. Gestation typically lasts from 90 to 185 days. [...more]

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In face of crisis, National Zoo to start captive population of Virginia big-eared bats

In face of crisis, National Zoo to start captive population of Virginia big-eared bats

The National Zoo has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a captive population of the Virginia big-eared bat at the National Zoo’s Conservation & Research Center near Front Royal, Va. Only 15,000 Virginia big-eared bats remain living in caves in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, and these are threatened by the white-nose syndrome. [...more]

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Females are giants in newly discovered species of golden orb weaver spider

Females are giants in newly discovered species of golden orb weaver spider

Native to Africa and Madagascar, females of the species have a body length of 1.5 inches and a leg span of 4 to 5 inches. Males are tiny in comparison. [...more]

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A clouded leopard cub, a Przewalski’s horse and a red panda cub were all recently born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A clouded leopard cub, a Przewalski’s horse and a red panda cub were all recently born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

As you read here In a 24-hour-period between July 9 and 10, 2009 a clouded leopard cub, a Przewalski's horse, and a red panda cub were all born at Smithsonian's National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. [...more]

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Baby Boom of Endangered Species at Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center

Baby Boom of Endangered Species at Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center

It was an exciting and busy 24 hours at the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Va., last week as three births took place just hours apart. On the evening of July 9, a clouded leopard cub was born, followed by a Przewalski’s horse foal and a red panda cub. [...more]

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Meet our Scientists—Videos!

Caught on camera!

This short video of an ocelot was taken by Smithsonian scientists during a recent camera-trap survey of these animals in the Peruvian Amazon. [...more]

(Courtesy of Joseph Kolowski)

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