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Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, two giant pandas from China, made their first public appearance at the zoo in January 2001. Their lively curiosity, social interactions, and physical beauty fascinate everyone who sees these wonderful creatures.

This extremely endangered species has been successfully bred at the National Zoo. Estimates put the population of these dark, striped beauties at less than 500 in the wild and 170 in zoos.

Asian elephants, hippos, giraffes, and the greater one-horned rhino are free to roam here. Viewpoints are close enough to appreciate their great size.

Here, numerous species of birds display their spectacular colors and elegant motions. The flight exhibit is a netted structure that gives even birds of prey enough headroom to show off.

In summer, these squirrelsized primates run free in the trees around Valley Trail. These Brazilian animals have been the subject of one of the most successful conservation efforts.

Orangutans are taking part in a long-term study of their cognitive and language abilities in this large building. Visitors can watch researchers investigate the animals’ use of symbols.

This popular exhibit recalls America’s fabled western grasslands through the re-creation of their complex ecosystem. Broad-shouldered bison graze while prairie dogs cavort like cartoon characters.

Beavers share their valley with other North American wildlife, including gray seals, California sea lions, hawks, river otters, and Mexican wolves.

These lizards can grow as large as 200 lbs (90 kg) and 10 ft (3 m) long. The zoo has been important in preserving these predators; in 1992, 13 dragons hatched here, the first born outside their native Indonesia.

Western lowland gorillas are among our closest relatives, sharing about 98 percent common genome. Their deliberate movements and human-like manner mesmerize observers.