Smithsonian's National Zoo

Smithsonian's National Zoo. 125 Years. , 1886 After witnessing the near extinction of bison, scientist William Hornaday works with the Smithsonian to create a natonal zoo. , , 1889 President Grover Cleveland signs a bill to establish the National Zoo for the purpose of saving animals from extinction. , , 1891 The National Zoo officially opens to the public. , , 1892 The Zoo's first permanent building is completed, housing almost all the animals. It later becomes the Lion House. , , 1937 The Zoo unveils a new Elephant House. Fully updated in 2013, it becomes the Elephant Community Center. , , 1939 The Zoo turns 50 as World War II breaks out in Europe. The Zoo does its part as keepers and other employees go to war. , , 1950 Rescued from a blaze, Smokey Bear becomes a living symbol of the United State's campaign to prevent forest fires and comes to live at the Zoo. , , 1958 Concerned Washingtonians form Friends of the National Zoo to raise funds for much-needed repairs. , , 1972 The Zoo pioneers a program to breed golden lion tamarins and reintroduced them to the rainforests in Brazil. , , 1972 First Lady Pat Nixon formally welcomes giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, gifts from the People's Republic of China. Panda mania ensues! , , 1973 The Zoo acquires 3,200 acres in Virginia to save rare species, known today as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. , , 1988 The Zoo helps black-footed ferrets rebound from near extinction. Today more than 1,000 live in the wild. , , 1991 The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center opens and soars to international prominence for its research and conservation work. , , 1992 Komodo dragons hatch at the Zoo, for the first time ever outside Indonesia. , , 1999 Zoo researchers spearhead efforts to combat chytrid, a deadly fungus that threatens one-third of amphibian species. , , 2001 Kandula, a male Asian elephant, is born. His birth reflects Zoo scientists growing understanding of elephant reproduction. , , 2005 Tai Shan is born. He becomes the first giant panda cub in Zoo history to live into adulthood. , , 2012 The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between the Zoo and George Mason University, opens to the first class of students. , , 2013 Bao Bao is born. She is the Zoo's second healthy giant panda cub, and growing strong!