Birds in Flight demo at the National Zoo, with bird behaviorist Phung Luu.

Tian Tian’s 26th birthday on August 27, 2023 – his last birthday at the National Zoo before returning to China.

Xiao Qi Ji’s 3rd, and last, birthday at the National Zoo before he goes to China.

Mei Xiang turns 25, at what will probably be her final year at the National Zoo before she returns to China.

Nine-day old baby gorilla at the National Zoo. The gender announcement was today, and the other gorillas received pink treats.

The four-month-old Andean bear cubs, Sean and Ian, have recently started playing outside at the National Zoo, under the watchful eye of their mother Brienne. One of the cubs is confident climbing high up in the trees, and the other climbs a short distance and then often slides back down.

Celebration at the National Zoo this morning for Tian Tian’s 25th birthday. Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji also got treats this morning in the adjoining enclosure.

A snowy owl has taken residence at Union Station for the past week, and I got to see it last night, under the full Wolf Moon. An amazing sight.

Celebration at the National Zoo today for Mei Xiang’s 23rd birthday. Her 10-month old cub, Xiao Qi Ji, enjoyed the cake along with her.

The zoo is closing after this weekend, along with all the other Smithsonian museums, due to rising rates of COVID. I’ve been trying to see Redd, the young orangutan, on the O-line for the last couple of years, so today was my last chance to see him and I finally got lucky. Not a great…