"The National Zoological Park (SNZP) exhibits living animal and plant collections to provide educational and recreational opportunities for the visiting public and conducts research in conservation biology and reproductive sciences. Our mission is to celebrate, study, and protect the diversity of animals and their habitats. The Zoo is a beautiful urban park offering families fun and excitement, stimulating education programs, and a peaceful place to enjoy nature. The 163-acre park in the heart of Washington, D.C., is home to a wonderfully diverse animal collection, ranging from hummingbirds to elephants......" -Smithsonian's National Zoo Mission Statement
Asian elephants weigh up to 11,000lbs.
3977 views
|
Asian elephants have small ears, one fingered trunk, convex back, two bumps on their forehead, and small tusks.
3963 views
|
Males stand up to 18 feet tall and weigh up to 4,200 pounds; females grow to 16 feet tall and weigh up to 2,500 pounds.
2596 views
|
Currently the National Zoo has five cats living at the Cheetah Conservation Station: two males and three females.
2383 views
|
Amadi and Norok are the two males. Jomu, Chiku, and Wandu are the three females.
2385 views
|
The National Zoo can tell their cheetahs apart very easily by looking at the stripes on their tails. The stripes on their tales are much like fingerprints for humans.
2511 views
|
The National Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for cheetahs. At present, Zoo staff are trying to breed Wandu and Norok.
2515 views
|
A powerful hunter with sharp teeth, strong jaws, and an agile body, the tiger is the largest member of the cat family (Felidae).
2553 views
|
It is also the largest land-living mammal whose diet consists entirely of meat.
2430 views
|
Since summer's in DC can get pretty hot, the Zoo has air conditions caves for the Pandas.
2502 views
|
Only about 1,000 giant pandas survive in the mountain forests of central China.
3218 views
|
Another 120 are in Chinese breeding facilities and zoos. About 20 live in zoos outside China.
2381 views
|
The National Zoo has pools and rocky substrates for the both seals and sea lions to live in.
2417 views
|
National Zoo has one male California sea lion, Norman, and one female, Maureen.
3777 views
|
Norman was wild-born in May 1977 and orphaned as a pup. NZP acquired him from Marineland in California on October 12, 1978.
2518 views
|