Dear Jon,
Wow, so many of you voted for the Smithsonian's Most Groundbreaking story of
the year! Thank you for sharing your top picks. You make every
one of these moments possible—we can’t wait to see which are your favorites!
The next category may be a tough choice... but we need your help to pick a
winner. Which of these selections for Most Heartwarming story makes you
say "aww" the loudest?
Baby Bats Babble with Mom to Learn Language
Much like human parents and their offspring, greater sac-winged bats engage in
active language learning between parent and pup. Research conducted at the
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that baby bats try out
vocalizations through babbling, which includes the repetition of syllables and
regular beat that we see in human infants. Mother bats offer “baby talk” in
reply, encouraging the imitation and offering social feedback.
Litter of Chirping Cheetah Cubs Make Their Debut
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute welcomed the arrival of five new
cheetah cubs! The litter was born in October to mom Rosalie, and all babies are
bright, active, and growing fast. Each cub now weighs in at a few pounds and
they are starting to move about with kitten confidence. The family can
frequently be spotted on the Cheetah Cub Cam as they travel between dens.
Extra Effort for Oysters Leads to Habitat Harmony
Biologists from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center checked in on
oyster populations in protected areas throughout Maryland. They found that
efforts to restore habitats — rather than simply protecting the area — not only
improved oyster outcomes, but helped other animal species thrive as well. These
outcomes offer a clear picture of the holistic benefits of investing in active
restoration.
Giant Panda Cub Celebrates First Birthday
People around the globe have watched giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji learn and grow
since his birth at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Xiao Qi Ji (whose name means
"little miracle" in Mandarin Chinese) is an important addition to
giant panda conservation efforts taking place around the globe. Now over a year
old, he can be found eating bamboo, playing with mom, or climbing and tumbling
on the Panda Cam.
Stay tuned — there are more categories to come. Make sure to vote for your top pick for Most Heartwarming story above!
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