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Ocelot kitten takes first steps on exhibit

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications


Three-month-old ocelot kitten Evita took her first steps out into her Tropical Rain Forest exhibit yesterday morning.

Evita has been bonding with mother Bella in a behind-the-scenes area since her birth in January. Yesterday marked the first time the kitten was given access to her full exhibit.

Her entry into the exhibit was tentative. She would climb the ramp that connects her behind-the-scenes space with the enclosure, poke her head into the exhibit and look around, but then retreat to her den behind-the-scenes.

After a few of those false starts, curiosity took hold and Evita eventually followed the calls of her mom and she entered the exhibit space. Evita stayed close to her mom the whole time as she explored this new place filled with plants and dirt and mist from above.

Evita spent most of her first hour looking around, taking in her new surroundings.

This first day of introductions to the exhibit went well, but Evita is not yet full-time in the space. Keepers will be encouraging mom and kitten to explore the exhibit a bit more each day.

At this early point, there is no guarantee when to see the ocelots as there is no way to predict when they will feel like going into the exhibit. Once we have a firmer sense of good viewing opportunities, we’ll be sure to share!

Photos by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo.

Comments

Merry said…
Thank you so much for sharing the story of your darling little ocelot baby with the world! The photos are beautiful. I especially like the middle one in which the baby is looking up in awe at her surroundings.
Anonymous said…
It is great to see incredibly beautiful animals such as the Ocelots up close. However I'd much rather pay to see those who deforest these creatures homes or those who poach endangered species live in fake environments/habitats. I'd gladly throw them a bag of peanuts.
DMagg said…
You guys! Look at his little spots! Look at his tufted ears!

I *LOVE* IT!!
Anonymous said…
Aw, Look at its little spots and its tufted ears!
Anonymous said…
OMG IT IS SO CUTE I WANT TO EAT IT WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LET US LOOK AT IT?!?

ALSO HI REDDIT!
Thanks, everyone!

Anon #3 - She seems to be going out there more and more each day. It's just hard to predict when since the choice is hers. It's worth stopping by the Tropical Rain Forest on your next visit to see if she's out there. But once we get a better sense of good times to view, we'll share.
Anonymous said…
Our two year old daughter who is (already an ocelot fan) was completely transfixed with the kitten. We can't wait to see her again.

Thanks zoo team