Panda habitat to be lost, shifted by climate change
16,000 square kilometers of giant panda habitat will likely be lost by the year 2080
Science Spotlight
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National Zoo veterinarian Katharine Hope is in charge of the health of 2,000 animals from 400 different species.
National Zoo Veterinarian Katharine Hope treats about 2,000 animals from 400 different species. She and her colleagues care for a variety of animals, from small baby flamingos to adult Asian elephants, so there’s no such thing as an average day.
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National Zoo’s giant panda Mei Xiang is not pregnant
Based on current hormone analyses, and not having seen a fetus during the ultrasound exams, Zoo researchers have determined that Mei Xiang experienced a pseudopregnancy.
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The science of panda cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
When animal care staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo need to know when to breed their pandas or when to expect a cub they turn to the Endocrine (Hormones) Research Lab at the Zoo’s Front Royal, Va. facility.
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Women in Science: Working with giant pandas at the National Zoo
National Zoo Veternarian Suzan Murray and Biologist Laurie Thompson demonstrate how they get the Zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang to cooperate for veterinary examinations.
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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.
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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
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.
