About Smithsonian's National Zoo  

The Smithsonian's National Zoo was established March 2, 1889, by an Act of Congress for "the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." Today, the National Zoo exhibits living animal and plant collections and conducts research in the broad discipline of conservation biology. Its mission is to provide leadership in animal care, science, education and sustainability.

The 163-acre park in the heart of Washington, D.C., is home to approximately 2,000 animals representing nearly 400 species. Nearly a quarter of the animals at the National Zoo are endangered species, including giant pandas, Asian elephants, North Island brown kiwis and western lowland gorillas. The National Zoo has 180 species of trees, 850 species of woody shrubs and herbaceous plants and 50 different species of bamboo. The Zoo also maintains the Conservation and Research Center, a 3,200-acre research facility in Front Royal, Va.