State Dept Image/Jun 27, 2013/Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), VA

6/27/2013; Front Royal, Virginia
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Media Relations Officer Doris Robinson
Telephone: 202-504-6353; email: robinsondm2@state.gov

The Foreign Press Center traveled with 9 journalists south of D.C. to the Shenandoah Valley where participants toured the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), a 3,200-acre campus is situated just outside of Front Royal, VA. The Institute is a branch of the National Zoo and is not open to the public. It leads the Smithsonian’s efforts to conserve species and train future conservationists. Tour participants first heard from the director of SCBI, who explained the mission of the Institute, the importance of conservation, and the reproductive science used to help repopulate dying species. Additionally, participants were shown some of the animals housed at SCBI. Animals observed included maned wolves (South America), kiwis (New Zealand), Eld’s deer (Southeast Asia), Przewalski’s horses (Eastern Europe/Western Asia), and cheetahs (sub-Saharan Africa). News organizations from Canada, China, Germany, Serbia, Slovak Republic and Romania were all represented on the tour.