Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

Jennifer Zoon

Jennifer Zoon is a communications specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and visited the Smithsonian museums often. None captivated her more than the Zoo, which instilled a lifelong love of animals, science and conservation. Jennifer shares that passion for wildlife by telling the Zoo’s stories, introducing others to the Smithsonian’s animals and efforts to save species around the world. She earned a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in creative writing from Dickinson College.

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Get to Know the Zoo's Meerkat Pups

From sweet snuggles to sassy vocalization and snatching snacks, it’s been a busy June for the Smithsonian National Zoo's growing meerkat pups!

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After An Insect Detox, Can Once-Poisonous Frogs Get Their Spice Back?

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji in a tree with his tongue sticking out

A Decade of Adorable Giant Panda Cam Moments

A male Guam kingfisher bird wearing a transmitter on its back is held gently in an animal keeper's gloved hand

Scientists Are Using 3-D-Printing Technology to Ready Guam Kingfishers for Reintroduction to the Wild

Close-up of giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji in a tree with his tongue sticking out

Watch Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji’s Best Moments of 2021

Panamanian golden frog standing among dirt and leaves

Is a 'Living Pharmacy' the Key to Curing Chytrid in Frogs?

As we prepare to celebrate giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s first birthday Aug. 21, take a look back at his top 12 milestones that left panda fans around the world in awe and

Watch Our Favorite Videos from Giant Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji's First Year

Western lowland gorilla Moke eating a snack

The Science Behind Animal Snacks

The cassowary's helmet-like casque is made of keratin, the same material that makes up our hair and fingernails.

Meet Cassowary Brothers Irwin and Dundee, Descendants of Dinosaurs

A 17-year Brood X cicada.

Will 17-year Cicadas Be a Buffet or Big Disturbance for Birds?

This 17-year Brood X cicada nymph is one step away from adulthood. After emerging from the dirt, cicadas typically crawl up the base of a tree to complete their final molt, expand their wings and fly away.

Cicada Snacks: The Wild (and Tasty) Side of Brood X at the Zoo

The first cheetah cub born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute celebrated his 10th birthday last year, marking a decade of the facility's successful cheetah breeding program.

5 Milestones from a Decade of Cheetah Breeding and Conservation

January was a month full of firsts for giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji. The growing bear played with enrichment toys, took his first bites of sweet potato and bamboo, and had his first encounter with snow!

January's Best Giant Panda Moments—In Video

This young Hartmann's mountain zebra colt, born in July 2020, was a first for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Our 3-month-old Zebra Colt is Earning His Stripes, One Butterfly and Biscuit at a Time

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The Unexpected Arrival of a Teeny, Tiny (and Critically Endangered) Spider Tortoise

The Zoo's 1-month-old giant panda cub had its first veterinary exam over the weekend. Get the scoop from Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas.

Giant Panda Cub's First Veterinary Exam

Lemur leaf frogs, best known for their big, striking eyes, are critically endangered.

Meet the Lemur Leaf Frog

Clouded leopard cubs Jilian and Paitoon made their debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in September 2019.

School is in Session for Clouded Leopard Cubs

Head of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Scott Sillett.

Birds Connect Our World

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's

Preparing for Cheetah Cubs

Orangutan mother Batang and infant Redd at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Under (Blood) Pressure: Monitoring Heart Rates in Zoo Primates

Forty years ago, the distinctive call of the bobwhite quail could be heard throughout Virginia’s grasslands. Today, their calls are fading.

Answering the Call for Bobwhite Quail

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Mike Henley dives at a coral nursery where brown rice coral and blue rice coral grow.

Testing the Waters: Coral Nurseries and Climate Change

As far as predators go, coyotes are one of the most resourceful and resilient.

Connecting with Coyotes on the Prowl

As two orangutan infants tussled in the trees, curator of primates Meredith Bastian and primate keeper Alex Reddy looked on in awe. Over the summer, they traveled to Central Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo to follow these great apes in their native habitat.

Primate Diary: Observing Orangutans in the Wild

When animals are anesthetized, veterinarians cover their eyes to minimize visual stimulation. In this picture, veterinary technician Lisa Ware is administering fluids to help ensure a smooth recovery from anesthesia.

Tracking Tapirs: An Expedition in Ecuador

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Read Some of the Most Exciting Stories From the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in 2024

Read Some of the National Zoo’s Most Amazing Animal Stories of 2024

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