Description: The National Zoological Park was conceived by William Temple Hornaday and established by an act of Congress in 1889. The Smithsonian’s collection of living animals was originally intended to aid taxidermists’ studies, but Smithsonian Secretaries Spencer F. Baird and Samuel P. Langley helped expand the small menagerie’s purpose. Today it houses over 2,000 animals of around 400
Description: This year marks the 50th anniversary since the arrival of giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing at the National Zoo. To celebrate, we’re highlighting some giant panda records at the Archives.