How Brandie Smith Became Director of the National Zoo
Brandie Smith is the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. In an episode of "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations," Smith reflects on her career, starting out as an intern as a zookeeper at the Pittsburgh Zoo and working her way to becoming the Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, overseeing its operations and the panda program. This interview was recorded January 13 in Washington DC. (Source: Bloomberg)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
Pittsburgh zoo welcomes new male lion Hondo
The Pittsburgh Zoo has a new African lion, and so far, he's been a hit with the ladies. The zoo on Tuesday announced that 8-year-old Hondo has arrived from the Idaho Falls Zoo. The hope is that he'll be a companion for lionesses Abana and Scarlett. The females came to the zoo in 2019 with Kit, who died in 2023. The zoo said it had a few choices, but Hondo's "robust" genes and experience living with females made him "the most eligible bachelor." (Photo Credit: Paul A Selvaggio) How Hondo will join the pride The zoo said lions are social animals with a unique pride structure, and introducing a lion to an existing pride isn't easy, especially because females take longer to accept a new member. It could take anywhere from three months to five years, but so far, the zoo says it's looking pretty good for Hondo. "There were lots of matches, but Hondo was the best fit," curator of mammals Kelsey Forbes said in a news release. "He is good with females having lived with his mother and two younger sisters. Here in Pittsburgh so far, Hondo is a perfect gentleman, and the ladies are obsessed with him." As Hondo gets used to his new home and future pride-mates, the zoo says he and the lionesses will alternate on view in their outdoor habitat. Initial signs of a bond include behaviors that look friendly like grooming and head rubbing, but some gestures like swatting, hissing and biting may be alarming to guests. The zoo says it's all part of the process. Lions also typically call at sunrise and sunset, and the zoo says Scarlett and Abana are already responding to Hondo's call. As for whether the pride will expand to include some little lion cubs, Forbes says, "That remains up to them!"
CBS News
21-03-2025
- CBS News
Kidsburgh Weekend Guide: March 21-23
Lots of fun things to do with your kids on this first official weekend of spring! Check out the highlights below and see the full weekend guide from Kidsburgh here . Wednesday, March 19 through Saturday, March 22: Just Between Friends Consignment Sale This weekend at the AHN Montour Sports Complex, come score amazing deals on used kids' clothing, toys, books and more. The fun includes an Easter Egg-Stravaganza on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with an egg hunt, face painting, balloon art and visits with the big bunny himself. Find details about the sale here . (And hear about it here on the Kidsburgh Podcast.) Saturday, March 22: NatureFest at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event, which is included with admission, is the perfect way to explore the resources at the museum. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History's scientists, educators and community partners can't wait to teach families all about science. Browse the full schedule here and plan your day. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun or a deep dive into land stewardship and invasive species research, there's programming for nature lovers of all ages. While this event is free, registration is suggested. Click here to learn more and register. Sunday, March 23: I AM WILD with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium at the Children's Museum, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This event is a great chance to meet live animals who are visiting the museum from the zoo. Learn all about habitats and the lives of these animals while exploring the new exhibit, I AM WILD . This event is included with museum admission. Find more details here . KDKA is proud to partner with
Bloomberg
19-02-2025
- Bloomberg
The David Rubenstein Show: Brandie Smith
Brandie Smith is the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. In an episode of "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations," she talks about the history of the giant pandas first arriving in the United States in the early 1970s as a state gift from China, the National Zoo's wider conservation efforts, and what it's like to have the popular pandas back in the US. This interview was recorded January 13 in Washington DC. (Source: Bloomberg)
