Friends of the National Zoo/FONZ

Friends of the National Zoo supports Zoo renewal, wildlife education and conservation programs by the Smithsonian's National Zoo that enrich the lives of animals and save endangered species and habitats.(202)633-3027.

Why do we exist?

Friends of the National Zoo is a nonprofit organization that supports the wildlife education and conservation programs of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Our shared mission is to save endangered species and their habitats. Since 1958, we have provided guest services for park visitors and generated funding for Zoo exhibits and research.

What have you accomplished?

To help the Zoo achieve its goals, FONZ supports scientific research programs around the world, breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered species, future scientist training programs, and public education. 

FONZ funds research initiatives at the Zoo and in the wild. In recent years, FONZ has provided the National Zoo with numerous grants. This financial support helps Zoo scientists participate in over 50 wildlife research and conservation projects with scientists from other zoos, conservation organizations, universities, and international governments. Projects have included animal tracking studies and research to mitigate animal-human conflict. 

We support breeding and reintroduction efforts. With fewer than 1,600 giant pandas living in the wild, the Zoo’s research is critical to providing a future for this remarkable species. FONZ understands the gravity of the Zoo’s giant panda conservation efforts. That’s why we played a lead role in securing funds to bring pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang to the National Zoo in 2000. Since then, we have helped support the research of Zoo scientists who are studying giant pandas here, in breeding centers in China, and in the wild. The knowledge Zoo scientists amassed from their research helped them perform the artificial insemination that led to Mei Xiang’s pregnancy and the birth of our giant panda cub, Tai Shan.

At the same time, working with their Chinese colleagues and with the support of FONZ, Zoo scientists helped improve the nutrition and veterinary care of pandas. As a result, more than 140 pandas were born in Chinese zoos and breeding centers, up from 104 in 1998. Our goal is to double the population of zoo pandas worldwide to 300. 

Additionally, FONZ and the National Zoo helped save black-footed ferrets and golden lion tamarins from extinction. In 1985, only 18 black-footed ferrets remained. With the help of our funding, the Zoo and its conservation partners successfully bred more than 250 black-footed ferrets and 350 golden lion tamarins for reintroduction into their native habitats.

FONZ supports efforts to train future scientists. With the help of FONZ, the National Zoo has trained future zoo and conservation professionals in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, and other disciplines. Over the past twenty years, the National Zoo has taught over 2,000 scientists from all over the world.

FONZ funds public education programs. Providing education programs each year to more than a million individuals, FONZ reaches out to inner-city youth, children confined to hospitals, and senior citizens in retirement homes. Our programs include educational classes for children and adults, day and overnight camps, exhibit interpreter programs, teen volunteer programs, and many resources for educators.

FONZ and Fujifilm’s online education program, Conservation Central, has won several awards, including the “Best Overall Museum Web Site” from Archives and Museum Informatives.  

What’s more, FONZ recently received a grant to fund Sea Lions, Seals and Us, an interpretive zoo exhibit about recycling to help protect ocean life. This exhibit will highlight Smithsonian research on pinniped biology and conservation. In developing the exhibit, we partnered with Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT) to incorporate eco-friendly materials, including a bench made of recycled wood fiber.

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