Federal Independent Agencies
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Featured Stories
National Gallery of Art: Beneath the Surface - Mining and American Photography
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography
Dependent on precious metals from its inception, photography has always been intertwined with the natural resources that are fundamental to modern industrialized life. Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography is the first exhibition to exclusively examine how photographers from the mid-19th century to today have powerfully captured the effects of resource extraction on the land and communities of the United States. Featuring some 150 photographs
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
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Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography
Dependent on precious metals from its inception, photography has always been intertwined with the natural resources that are fundamental to modern industrialized life. Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography is the first exhibition to exclusively examine how photographers from the mid-19th century to today have powerfully captured the effects of resource extraction on the land and communities of the United States. Featuring some 150 photographsthat span 185 years, this exhibition focuses especially on the subterranean removal of the minerals and fossil fuels that power this country's economy and industry. Together, these works demonstrate how photographers have drawn on changing technology and unique visual strategies to rise to the challenge of picturing these colossal industries.
Made for a variety of purposes, ranging from commercial boosterism and celebration of technical advancement to social documentation and community activism, the pictures in the exhibition shed light on how photography has revealed the costs of extraction and who benefits from its success. Divided into six broad, chronological sections that contextualize the complex history of photography and extraction, from daguerreotypes of the Gold Rush to large-scale, immersive photographs made in the last decade, Beneath the Surface highlights how artists have used photography to explore the relationship between extraction, society, and the environment.
This exhibition is curated by Diane Waggoner, curator of photographs, National Gallery of Art, and Kristen Gaylord, Herzfeld Curator of Photography and Media Arts, Milwaukee Art Museum.
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
Major support for the exhibition has been provided by the Center for Contemporary
Documentation.
The exhibition is also made possible through the leadership support of the Trellis Charitable Fund.
Additional support for this exhibition was provided by Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman.
Exhibition Tour
National Gallery of Art, Washington, May 23-August 23, 2026
Milwaukee Art Museum, October 23, 2026-January 17, 2027
Amon Carter Museum of American Art, February 14-May 9, 2027
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/beneath-surface-mining-and-american-photography
Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Center: Filipino American Stories on Migration and Memory Opens in December
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Center issued the following news release on Nov. 24, 2025:
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Filipino American Stories on Migration and Memory Opens in December
First Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Exhibition at the National Museum of American History Explores Stockton's Little Manila
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The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) will open its next exhibition, "How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories," Dec. 23 at the Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Gallery in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. This
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Center issued the following news release on Nov. 24, 2025:
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Filipino American Stories on Migration and Memory Opens in December
First Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Exhibition at the National Museum of American History Explores Stockton's Little Manila
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The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) will open its next exhibition, "How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories," Dec. 23 at the Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Gallery in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Thismarks APAC's first exhibition at the museum and is its signature program for the Smithsonian's celebration of the nation's semiquincentennial, "Our Shared Future: 250." The exhibition explores the history of Filipino American migration, labor and community-building in Stockton, California--once home to the largest Filipino community outside the Philippines--from the 1910s to the 1970s.
"How Can You Forget Me" is anchored by more than 50 artifacts recovered from a trove of steamer trunks discovered in 2005 in the basement of the Daguhoy fraternal lodge in Stockton's Little Manila district. The exhibition features three of these trunks as both literal containers and symbolic vessels, revealing valuable insights into how Filipino migrants lived, worked, loved and built community. One of the three trunks was donated to the museum in 2022 by the Stockton-based nonprofit Little Manila Rising, which works to preserve the city's Filipino American heritage and legacy.
Each trunk serves as a time capsule, offering a distinct story and inviting visitors to unpack the intimate and collective experiences that shaped the journey of Filipino Americans in Stockton. From three-piece suits and ceremonial regalia to agricultural tools, family photographs, diaries and everyday objects, these belongings--long stored and forgotten--shed light on the lives of manongs, who forged deep bonds within their communities. The term manong--meaning "older brother" in Ilocano, a Filipino language--is used affectionately to describe these early Filipino labor migrants, many of whom were single men.
The exhibition's title, "How Can You Forget Me," is drawn from an embroidered pillowcase found in the trunk donated to the Smithsonian. The phrase expresses both personal longing and broader themes of memory and remembrance--sentiments that echo throughout the exhibition. A dedicated interactive section of the gallery offers visitors a chance to reflect on the objects and stories and to explore how early Filipino migrants navigated identity and belonging across the Filipino diaspora.
"These steamer trunks do not just tell the story of one Filipino American community in California," said Sam Vong, the exhibition's curator. "They tell an American story of immigrants fighting to preserve their history, of families struggling not to forget and not to be forgotten. That's why these stories are so powerful: they're about everyday people and about experiences we have all shared."
Vong, a curator of Asian Pacific American history at the National Museum of American History, was supported by curatorial assistant Ethan P. Johanson. The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute contributed staff expertise and provided storage and conservation services for loaned objects. The exhibition is designed by the award-winning firm TSKP x IKD and will be on view for two years. A companion website featuring educational materials and a virtual gallery will launch alongside the exhibition.
The exhibition's first public program--a screening of the documentary Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers--is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the museum's Warner Bros. Theater. Co-presented by APAC and the museum's History Film Forum, the event will include a post-screening discussion with director Marissa Aroy, Dillon Delvo of Little Manila Rising and others. Additional public and educational programs--including panels, workshops and film screenings--will be offered throughout the exhibition's run.
"How Can You Forget Me" invites in-person and virtual visitors to engage with a deeply place-based history of Filipino America--and by extension, of the United States--leading up to and throughout the nation's 250th anniversary.
"As we approach the nation's semiquincentennial, the exhibition deepens our understanding of the American experience by highlighting stories of resilience, resourcefulness and community," said Yao-Fen You, APAC's acting director.
"How Can You Forget Me" is supported by grants from the Henry Luce Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and the Coby Foundation. The exhibition has also received federal funding from the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by APAC, and the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino.
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About the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC)
APAC, established in 1997, ensures the comprehensive representation and inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders across the Smithsonian's collections, research, exhibitions and programs. Through education initiatives, publications and public programs, APAC provides new avenues to document, celebrate and share the rich and diverse history, art and culture of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. APAC's exhibitions, "How Can You Forget Me" and "Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond" (on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through Nov. 30, 2025) will pave the way for a dedicated APAC gallery on the National Mall.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/filipino-american-stories-migration-and-memory-opens-december
Office of Finance Publishes the FHLBanks' Third Quarter 2025 Combined Financial Report
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 25 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Publishes the FHLBanks' Third Quarter 2025 Combined Financial Report
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* Bulletin No: 2025-35
We are pleased to inform you that the Federal Home Loan Banks' Office of Finance (OF) has published the third quarter 2025 Combined Financial Report for the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks.
A copy of the report is available on the OF website.
If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Jordan at 214.441.8445.
Sincerely,
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DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 25 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Publishes the FHLBanks' Third Quarter 2025 Combined Financial Report
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* Bulletin No: 2025-35
We are pleased to inform you that the Federal Home Loan Banks' Office of Finance (OF) has published the third quarter 2025 Combined Financial Report for the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks.
A copy of the report is available on the OF website.
If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Jordan at 214.441.8445.
Sincerely,
Sanjay K. Bhasin
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb.com/library/bulletins/2025/office-of-finance-publishes-the-fhlbanks-third-qu
Lowe's Home Centers to Pay $12.5M Penalty for Lead Paint Violations During Home Renovations
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Lowe's Home Centers to Pay $12.5M Penalty for Lead Paint Violations During Home Renovations
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Home Improvement Giant Agrees to Comprehensive Nationwide Program to Ensure Lead-Safe Practices
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe's Home Centers, LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe's Companies, Inc., to resolve alleged violations of EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule.
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Lowe's Home Centers to Pay $12.5M Penalty for Lead Paint Violations During Home Renovations
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Home Improvement Giant Agrees to Comprehensive Nationwide Program to Ensure Lead-Safe Practices
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe's Home Centers, LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe's Companies, Inc., to resolve alleged violations of EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule.The violations stem from renovation work performed by Lowe's contractors at hundreds of homes across the country, primarily between 2019 and 2021. As part of the settlement, Lowe's will pay a $12.5 million penalty and improve its compliance program for renovations in homes that may contain lead-based paint.
The settlement agreement requires Lowe's to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program to ensure that the firms and installers it hires to perform work are qualified to use lead-safe work practices to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during home renovations. EPA found that Lowe's failed to successfully implement the compliance terms of a 2014 settlement with the EPA, resulting in the alleged violations of the RRP rule.
" Noncompliance with EPA regulations aimed at reducing or preventing health risks from lead paint exposure during renovations, repairs, and painting can endanger families, especially young children and infants," said Craig Pritzlaff, Acting Assistant Administrator for the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). "Through this enforcement action, Lowe's will help protect their customers from the harmful effects of lead by ensuring that renovation work in homes built before 1978 is conducted by certified contractors using lead-safe practices. "
"Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans. The stiff penalty Lowe's will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). "Contractors hired for work that may disturb paint in homes built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed."
EPA discovered some of the alleged violations after investigating problems disclosed by Lowe's in periodic compliance reports required under the terms of a 2014 consent decree. The agency found additional alleged violations after responding to a tip from a member of the public concerning door replacements and other renovation work performed by a firm hired by Lowe's to do work in southern and central California.
Residential lead-based paint use was banned in 1978 but remains in many older homes and apartments across the country. Lead dust hazards can occur when lead paint deteriorates or is disrupted during home renovation and remodeling activities. Lead exposure can cause a range of health problems putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing. A blood lead test is the only way to determine if a child has a high lead level. Parents who think their child has been in contact with lead dust should contact their child's health care provider.
The consent decree was lodged in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The lodged consent decree and information on submitting public comment is available on the DOJ Proposed Consent Decrees webpage Exit EPA's website.
You can find more details in the 2025 Lowe's Home Centers, LLP Settlement case summary.
For information regarding the 2014 enforcement settlement agreement, please refer to the Lowe's Home Centers, LLC Settlement case summary.
More information on EPA's enforcement and compliance efforts is available on the Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations webpage.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/lowes-home-centers-pay-125m-penalty-lead-paint-violations-during-home-renovations
EPA Completes Historic Oil Removal at Dunsmuir Railyard, Restores Sacramento River Shoreline
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Completes Historic Oil Removal at Dunsmuir Railyard, Restores Sacramento River Shoreline
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed oversight of the removal of approximately 75,000 gallons of oil and 100,000 tons of oil-contaminated soil from the Dunsmuir Railroad site in Dunsmuir, California and restored 1,400 feet of impacted shoreline along the Sacramento River. EPA's cleanup efforts also prevent additional oil from continuing to seep into the river. The oil-related substances
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Completes Historic Oil Removal at Dunsmuir Railyard, Restores Sacramento River Shoreline
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed oversight of the removal of approximately 75,000 gallons of oil and 100,000 tons of oil-contaminated soil from the Dunsmuir Railroad site in Dunsmuir, California and restored 1,400 feet of impacted shoreline along the Sacramento River. EPA's cleanup efforts also prevent additional oil from continuing to seep into the river. The oil-related substancesaddressed in this removal stem from locomotive-fueling equipment used over a century ago.
"EPA is committed to ensuring clean air, land, and water for all Americans. The completion of this cleanup means that the Dunsmuir community and wildlife will enjoy cleaner land and water than they have in a century," EPA Pacific Southwest Superfund and Emergency Management Director Mike Montgomery. "Achieving this permanent solution would not have been possible without the close cooperation of our state partners."
Figure 1: Sacramento River and Dunsmuir Railyard before response and restoration.
Figure 2: Sacramento River and Dunsmuir Railyard after response and restoration.
The Dunsmuir Railyard, owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, has suffered contamination since the early 1900s from leaking oil tanks used to fuel locomotives. In 2019, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) requested EPA's assistance in responding to oil discovered in the upper Sacramento River, and EPA began its investigative work. Notably, investigate work found that the seepage of oil had been occurring for more than a century.
In 2021, EPA began working with CDFW, the Central Valley Water Quality Control Board, and Union Pacific to address the oil at its source and reduce the threats to human health and the environment. EPA worked with project partners to remove the contaminated soil and oil and bring in clean fill. Portions of a previously installed retaining wall were removed, and a special barrier fill was installed to prevent oil from entering the river. In addition, the impacted shoreline was restored, increasing river capacity and creating additional habitat for wildlife.
The site will continue to be regulated by the Water Board, in order to address oil in soil and groundwater in other areas of the railyard.
Background
The Union Pacific Railroad's North Dunsmuir Railyard site is an active railyard that is directly adjacent to the Upper Sacramento River. The railyard has known subsurface oil and diesel fuel contamination and is currently subject to a Cleanup and Abatement Order issued by the California Environmental Protection Agency and Central Valley Water Quality Control Board. Prior to EPA's response actions, oil and oily water surfaced at a retaining wall that lines the site along the Upper Sacramento River and oil was observed discharging into river.
Learn more about EPA's Removal Program.
Learn about EPA's Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website, and X Exit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-completes-historic-oil-removal-dunsmuir-railyard-restores-sacramento-river
EPA Announces $3 Billion in New Funding for States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces $3 Billion in New Funding for States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
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Additionally, $1.1 Billion of Unused Funding Redistributed for States
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 billion in new funding for states through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA conducted a thorough review of previously awarded funding and assessed updated lead service line data to increase accountability and
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces $3 Billion in New Funding for States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
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Additionally, $1.1 Billion of Unused Funding Redistributed for States
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 billion in new funding for states through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA conducted a thorough review of previously awarded funding and assessed updated lead service line data to increase accountability andensure funds are properly distributed to achieve maximum impact in removing lead pipes and reducing lead contamination in drinking water systems. This funding will accelerate progress in finding and removing lead pipes (also known as lead service lines that deliver water to homes, schools, and businesses) as the agency also announces a new lead service line inventories dashboard with the latest information provided by states. Lead pipes are the key source of leada potent neurotoxin particularly harmful to childrenin drinking water.
"This investment represents the EPA's unwavering commitment to protecting America's children from the dangers of lead exposure in their drinking water," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "With our updated data, we can tackle this challenge more efficiently than ever before, and we're ensuring every dollar goes directly toward replacing the lead pipes that threaten our communities. This is about giving parents peace of mind and securing healthier futures for the next generation."
"Supporting drinking water systems as they work around the clock to provide safe water for all Americans is one of EPA's top priorities," said EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer. "Today's announcement is a win-win for drinking water systems and for the health and futures of our nation's children. Not only are we providing $3 billion in new federal assistance for replacing lead pipes, and $1.1 billion in redistributed federal funding, but we also expect that this money will go farther because updated inventory data show far fewer lead pipes across the country."
Reducing drinking water exposure to lead is a priority under EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative. The Trump Administration's commitment to tackling lead in drinking water is a throughline from the first term, when EPA issued the first regulation in 30 years to strengthen protections.
The agency is also releasing new information indicating that there are fewer lead service lines nationwide than previously estimated. EPA's updated estimate is 4 million lead service lines, down from 9 million previously estimated. This significant reduction is driven by improved data provided by service line inventories required by the first Trump Administration's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. The agency is releasing a new dashboard highlighting information from lead service line inventories provided by states.
EPA's goal is to ensure these funds are deployed where they are needed most. Therefore, f unding allotments will be distributed based on the best available information locating the approximately 4 million active lead service lines. EPA gathered this information from states in a lead service line inventory.
EPA is also announcing the redistribution of an additional $1.1 billion in previously announced DWSRF funding to address lead. These funds were made available to states but have not been used. Consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act's directive to reallocate unused funds, these investments are now available to different eligible states with lead service line replacement needs.
States that have neither obligated or spent any awarded funds since at least fiscal year 2023 will be required to submit a plan to EPA detailing their strategy for expeditiously using funds to address lead before being eligible for new funding. EPA is committed to ensuring that the federal funding is used effectively and efficiently to address lead challenges facing local communities. The agency will proactively work with states to ensure they are expeditiously spending this funding by making awards to water systems for lead service line replacement projects.
These funds can be used for lead service line replacement (LSLR) and associated activities like identification, planning, design, and replacement. With this funding, EPA is issuing an Additional Eligibilities for State Implementation of the IIJA DWSRF LSLR Appropriation memorandum underscoring important flexibilities under this appropriation to ensure states can use the funding more efficiently and effectively.
For more information about the DWSRF program, visit https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-3-billion-new-funding-states-reduce-lead-drinking-water
Asian Elephant Is Pregnant at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute issued the following news release:
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Asian Elephant Is Pregnant at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
$23 Million Campaign Launches To Increase Asian Elephant Conservation Impact
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For the first time in nearly 25 years, animal care staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., are preparing for the highly anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf. In April 2024, the Zoo's 44-year-old male elephant Spike
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute issued the following news release:
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Asian Elephant Is Pregnant at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
$23 Million Campaign Launches To Increase Asian Elephant Conservation Impact
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For the first time in nearly 25 years, animal care staff at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., are preparing for the highly anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf. In April 2024, the Zoo's 44-year-old male elephant Spikebred with 12-year-old female Nhi Linh [NEE-lin]. Asian elephant pregnancies last 18 to 22 months on average. Staff are closely monitoring Nhi Linh and are cautiously optimistic she will deliver a healthy calf between mid-January and early March next year. Every birth is a boon for this endangered species, as fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the world.
"This calf represents real hope for the future of Asian elephants," said Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI. "The first step to saving any species is getting people to care. As animal ambassadors, elephant calves are as charming and charismatic as they come. I can't wait for visitors to experience the joy of watching our multigenerational herd socialize, play and learn--reminding us how much we share with these gentle, intelligent animals."
As Nhi Linh's due date approaches, the Zoo will provide updates through its website, e-newsletter, Facebook, X and Instagram channels. At the Elephant Trails exhibit, visitors can see the Zoo's herd up close and meet their care team during the 3 p.m. daily keeper talk. Worldwide, fans can follow the elephants' stories and stay connected via the Elephant Cam on the Zoo's website.
In 2022, Spike and Nhi Linh received a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSP scientists track the lineage of individual animals in a record called a "studbook." When considering which animals to breed, a studbook keeper examines the individuals' genetic relatedness to one another, overall health and temperament, among other factors, and makes recommendations accordingly. This matchmaking process helps ensure the genetic diversity of a population in human care.
Spike arrived at NZCBI in spring 2018 from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, and is on loan from Zoo Miami in Florida. NZCBI welcomed Nhi Linh and her mother, Trong Nhi, in fall 2022 as a gift from the Rotterdam Zoo in South Holland, Netherlands. This calf will be the first offspring for Nhi Linh. Although Spike sired three calves at other zoos, none survived. Because Nhi Linh and Spike's genes are not well represented in zoos, their calf will help strengthen the genetic diversity of the Asian elephant population in North America and around the world.
Keepers describe Nhi Linh's personality as feisty and rambunctious. She is very inquisitive and brave when trying or exploring new things. Keepers say she is smitten with Spike, who exudes a laid-back, "gentlemanly" attitude. Asian elephants are known for being extremely smart, sensitive and social. The elephant care team is most excited to see how the calf will bond with its mother, staff and Spike, as well as their other herd mates--grandmother Trong Nhi (22), Bozie (51), Swarna (51) and Maharani (35).
Over the past three years, the elephant team has built positive relationships with Nhi Linh. Keepers train the elephants using positive reinforcement, a type of operant conditioning where they pair desired behaviors with rewards in the form of attention and food. Nhi Linh voluntarily participates in her own husbandry and medical training, including blood draws. A few months after Nhi Linh bred with Spike, staff used blood samples to confirm she had successfully conceived. These diagnostics are also used to track the elephants' hormones. Once her progesterone levels reach baseline, the team will know birth is imminent. Nhi Linh also voluntarily participates in ultrasounds, allowing staff to monitor fetal development, heartbeat and movement. To help her maintain optimal body condition, staff take Nhi Linh through strength and flexibility exercises daily. Some of the behaviors she has learned--such as extending her legs forward on cue--will be utilized if the calf needs better access to nurse.
Although staff provide the highest level of prenatal care, just as with any animal pregnancy there is a possibility that miscarriage, stillbirth or a complication could occur. Trong Nhi--Nhi Linh's mother--bred with Spike in April 2024, and staff confirmed she, too, had conceived. Unfortunately, on Oct. 30, Trong Nhi displayed intense discomfort in line with pre-term labor or gastrointestinal colic. While this behavior can sometimes occur in normal late-stage pregnancies as the fetus shifts, this episode prompted additional hormone testing and ultrasound evaluations of the fetus and her reproductive tract. Trong Nhi's blood sample showed a significant and sustained drop in her progesterone and prolactin hormones--an indicator her fetus may no longer be viable. Animal care staff continue to provide supportive care and comfort to Trong Nhi, who remains stable and is behaving and socializing normally with her herd, keepers and veterinarians. Nhi Linh's pregnancy is on track, and staff are cautiously optimistic she will welcome her first calf in the coming months.
"Breeding Asian elephants in human care is worthwhile for many reasons, not the least of which is this species is critically endangered," said Robbie Clark, elephant manager and acting curator of Elephant Trails. "Our team has been working tirelessly to set Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh up for success, and we were hopeful that both would have healthy calves. While that is not likely in the cards for Trong Nhi, we are excited to see how she steps into her new role as grandmother. As Nhi Linh's birth window approaches, her health and well-being are top of mind, and we are prepared to offer support every step of the way--through labor, delivery and beyond."
Conservation Priorities
For more than 50 years, Smithsonian scientists at NZCBI have led research on elephant care and conservation in Washington, D.C., and Southeast Asia. The Zoo's elephants are a critical part of this work. These animal ambassadors participate in studies that help scientists better understand Asian elephant behavior, reproduction, endocrinology, disease (including elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses, or EEHV), genetics and movement ecology. They share information with accredited institutions to advance elephant care in zoos. In elephant range countries, Smithsonian scientists conduct research alongside key conservation organizations, universities, government agencies and local community partners. Together, they develop strategies and solutions to help humans and elephants live safely side-by-side, from rewilding former work elephants to safeguarding lives and crops on lands that have been converted from forests to farms.
Fundraising Campaign
Ahead of the calf's birth, NZCBI is seeking $23 million in public and corporate donations to be used over the next five years. These funds will enable the Zoo to grow its Asian elephant conservation program, building on decades of research and leadership in movement ecology and rewilding, genetics and health, nutrition and wellness and facilities and technology. Federal funding covers essential animal care expenses such as food, medicine, animal care staff and facilities maintenance for all animals at NZCBI. Funds to cover the Smithsonian's ongoing conservation research that help Asian elephants--both here and in the wild--depend entirely on private support from donations, annual membership support and in-park revenue.
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About the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its two campuses are home to some of the world's most critically endangered species. Always free of charge, the Zoo's 163-acre park in the heart of Washington, D.C., features 2,200 animals representing 400 species and is a popular destination for children and families. At the Conservation Biology Institute's 3,200-acre campus in Virginia, breeding and veterinary research on 264 animals representing 20 species provide critical data for the management of animals in human care and valuable insights for conservation of wild populations. NZCBI's more than 300 staff and scientists work in Washington, D.C., Virginia and with partners at field sites across the United States and in more than 30 countries to save wildlife, collaborate with communities and conserve native habitats. NZCBI is a long-standing accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/asian-elephant-pregnant-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology
