News Archive 2002
Jan l Feb l Apr l May l Jun l Aug l Sep l Nov l Dec
- New
Giraffe Malaika Makes Zoo Debut
The Zoo welcomes new reticulated giraffe Malaika to the Elephant House.
- Pumpkin
Stomp 2002
In a post-Halloween tradition that has spanned many years, the National Zoo will once again offer leftover pumpkins to its Asian elephants as part of its animal-enrichment program.
- Asian
Elephant Kandula Turns 1
The Zoo and FONZ host an event to celebrate the first birthday of Asian elephant Kandula, only the fifth elephant calf in the world to be conceived through artificial insemination.
- Mary Tanner Hired as Deputy Director of National Zoo
The Zoo is pleased to welcome Mary Tanner, who comes to the number-2 job at the Zoo after three decades of working in Smithsonian science administration positions. - New
Komodo Dragon Enclosure Opens
The Zoo debuts a new outdoor enclosure for komodo dragons Kraken and Precious.
- Dr. Sharon Deem Hired as Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Sharon Deem, a board-certified veterinarian, joins head veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray and resident veterinarian Dr. Carlos Sanchez to comprise the Zoo’s veterinarian team. - Giant
Panda Birthday Party
The Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm, along with Animal Planet, celebrate the birthdays of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in an event for the press and the public.
- The
Gathering Sculpture Unveiled
A new sculpture garden featuring a troop of chimpanzees has been placed next to Think Tank. This garden gives visitors a tranquil spot to contemplate the complex social behavior of our closest animal relations.
- New
Exhibit Signs Designed by Local School
The Zoo debuts new, more "kid-friendly," exhibit signs in the Small Mammal House. - Zoo
Reaches out to Local Community to Help Kids Learn About
Science
Columbia Heights kids explore wildlife ecology and experience Smithsonian science through a community service partnership among the National Zoo, the Latin American Youth Center, and San Francisco State University.
- 1,000th Golden Lion Tamarin Born
The one thousandth golden lion tamarin (GLT) was born in the wild this month, thanks in part to a National Zoo-led GLT conservation program. The Zoo initiated the GLT Conservation and Reintroduction Program in 1972, and Zoo-bred tamarins were first reintroduced into the Atlantic coastal rainforest of Brazil in 1984.
GLT
Conservation Program - Tiger
Cub Berani Makes Outdoor Debut
The Zoo's seven-month-old Sumatran tiger cub Berani will make his outdoor debut for media at the Great Cats exhibit. - Zoo's
Infant Gorilla Receives a Name
The name of the infant lowland gorilla born at the Zoo in November was announced during a ceremony held at the Great Ape outdoor exhibit. The name, "Kojo," was selected in a public naming contest co-sponsored by FONZ, Starbucks, and Mix 107.3 radio.
- Zoo
Partners with Local School to Create New Exhibit Signs
The National Zoo has partnered with Capital City Public Charter School in nearby Columbia Heights to develop "kid-friendly" exhibits in the Zoo's Small Mammal House.
- Increased Budget
The Zoo’s FY2002 budget has grown to $10 million, enabling the Zoo to continue to make improvements to its animal exhibits. - Zoo
Celebrates Anniversary of Giant Pandas' Arrival
On January 10, the Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm will celebrate the first anniversary of the arrival of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang with an event at the Zoo. The celebration will include the official naming of the panda exhibit as the Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat.
