TIGERS: At the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum
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| Cats by John Seidensticker and Susan Lumpkin Zoo Store Online |
The Great Cats exhibit on Lion/Tiger Hill features Sumatran tigers and African lions—living, breathing, roaring great cats. They are ambassadors for their wild relatives, and for the Zoo’s conservation and science initiatives for tigers, lions, and many other cats, which, even if not great in size, are still great!
New Hours at Great Cats
Lions and tigers will be on exhibit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily (weather permitting).
African Lion, Sumatran Tiger, and Cheetah Ringtones Now Available!
New Cheetah at the Zoo
Amani, a two-year-old female cheetah, recently went on exhibit at the National Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. She came to the Zoo from an Oregon animal park in late December, but had been kept off exhibit until she became accustomed to her new surroundings. Visitors can now see Amani daily at the Cheetah Conservation Station.
Animal care staff hope that she will breed with one of the Zoo's three cheetah brothers in the future. It will be up to Amani to choose which of the cheetahs, if any, she wants to breed with—the same type of breeding behavior that a female cheetah in the wild would display. Learn about cheetahs.
Zoo's Male Lion Now More Than 400 Pounds
Luke, the Zoo's young male African lion, who enjoyed a January snowfall, now weighs 410 and may gain up to 140 pounds more before reaching his full adult size. The Zoo's two young female lions, Nababiep and Shera, each weigh about 280 pounds, which is their adult size. Lusaka, the Zoo's older female lion, weighs 235 pounds. Read about lion nutrition, Lusaka's dental exam, introductions, and more in the latest keeper update.
Lions on Exhibit
Nababiep and Shera can be seen in their yard at Great Cats together. Lusaka and Luke are in separate yards. The lions are on exhibit at different times, and their schedules vary.
Sumatran Tiger Cubs
The Zoo's three Sumatran tiger cubs, weighing about 200 pounds each, are 21 months old. They are growing at just the right speed for healthy, normal tigers.
They are about the age when they separate from their mother, Soyono. The keepers and the curator at Great Cats have decided not to let Soyono out with cubs anymore. 
Find out why.
If you've been to the Zoo lately and wondered how Sumatran tigers manage cold temperatures, you can find out why in the latest Tiger Cub Diary entry.
See the cubs, their mother, Soyono, and their father, Rokan, at the Great Cats exhibit or on the tiger cam. We hope all Zoo visitors get a chance to see the cubs, and appreciate their understanding if the cats are inside during their visit.
There are fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers in the wild. 
Donate to the Tiger Conservation Fund.
Peril and Promise for Wild Tigers
Three Zoo scientists and their colleagues report on a shocking decline in wild tiger habitat, but have some good news too. more
Tiger Photo Gallery |
Help with cam
Watching a Sumatran tiger
Two adult tigers and their three cubs live at the National Zoo. Tigers spend most of their day resting and sleeping. In fact, resting comes before other activities like grooming and swimming.
Fun Facts About Cats | Support the Tiger Conservation Fund
Lions
Lots of Cats
The Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station is home to four cheetahs. Sumatran tigers and African lions live at Great Cats. Fishing cats and clouded leopards live on Asia Trail. Learn about cats at the Zoo.
Cat Conservation
Large
or small, cats are graceful, specialized, and powerful
animals. Yet, they are among the most endangered. Zoo
conservation biologists are working with colleagues
on lions’ home ground in Africa, and tigers’
in Asia, to develop the scientific understanding necessary
for effective conservation. Zoo scientists are studying
the ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology of tigers,
lions, and many other cat species, including cheetahs,
clouded leopards, and fishing cats. 
