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Obstetrical team performs rare C-section on gorilla Olympia to deliver baby. New gorilla mom Jamani steps in to help care for Olympia's baby

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Left: Dr. Andrew Beckstom, Neonatologist and Medical Director of Swedish Medical Center NICU. Right: Dr. Sachita Shah with Butterfly Network and U W Emergency Medicine. Photo: Nichole Hamilton/MFM Sonographer Woodland Park Zoo’s pregnant gorilla Olympia, five days past her due date, gave birth to a 5.4-pound boy on Sunday, May 24, at 1:44 p.m. (PDT) by emergency C-section performed by a local medical team who typically works on humans. This is the second baby for the western lowland gorilla; the gestation period for gorillas is eight and a half months. On average, full-term infant gorillas weigh 4 pounds. “Thanks to the teamwork of the human doctors, veterinarians, and gorilla care team, Olympia and her baby are in good health and doing well. Given the positive indicators so far, we remain optimistic but are also cautious because the situation is very fluid and fragile,” said Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo. Last week, W...
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The first of two pregnant gorillas gives birth at the zoo: Jamani becomes second-time mom!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Welcome to the world, precious one!  Jamani gently holds her newborn close. The community has been bubbling with excitement and anticipation over pregnancy news shared earlier this year of western lowland gorillas, Olympia and Jamani (jah-MAW-nee), due to give birth just days apart at Woodland Park Zoo. The zoo is thrilled to announce the first baby has arrived! Jamani gave birth on May 18 at 5:50 a.m. (PDT) after a gestation period of eight and a half months. The sex of the baby has not yet been determined. This is the second baby for Jamani. Nadaya (nuh-DIE-yuh) is the first-time dad of the newborn and Olympia’s baby, which is due any day. According to Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo, the first 72 hours of life are the most critical for a newborn gorilla. “We’re closely observing for signs that the infant is grasping strongly to Jamani with feet and hands, mom is soft...
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After two decades, spotted hyenas return to Woodland Park Zoo's African Savanna habitat!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Welcome Razi and Mosi! There’s a new chorus of cackling at Woodland Park Zoo as spotted hyenas make their debut! Two males, 3-year-old Razi and 1-year-old Mosi, arrived from Metro Richmond Zoo located in Moseley, Virginia. The new hyenas mark the first time in 25 years for visitors to have a rare opportunity to see and learn about these skilled social hunters that are so often misunderstood. Razi and Mosi can be seen in a habitat adjacent to where the lions live in the African Savanna. The last spotted hyena at the zoo was a geriatric female named Mara who retired in 2001 in an off-view habitat until she passed away at the age of 27. Mosi, who is 1 year old, is recognizable by the notch in his ear. Razi is 3 years old. Bringing hyenas back is part of Woodland Park Zoo’s near-term and future plan to diversify the species of animals at the zoo. “Animals and people are critically interconnected and all...
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Birth watch begins for two pregnant gorillas, Jamani and Olympia!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications The birth watch has officially started for two pregnant western lowland gorillas who are due to give birth five days apart in May. It’s all hands on deck for Woodland Park Zoo’s animal health and gorilla care teams as they gear up for the delivery of two healthy baby gorillas.  Olympia. Photo by Beth Keplinger/Woodland Park Zoo Jamani. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo The expecting gorillas are  Olympia, due May 19, and Jamani, due May 24. The gestation period for gorillas is eight and a half months. The birth watch signals 24-hour monitoring. Overnight, zoo volunteers are observing each gorilla remotely on cams installed in the bedrooms, collecting data such as behavioral changes and sleeping patterns and looking for any telltale signs that might indicate the onset of labor. A gorilla keeper is on call to respond in case either gorilla goes into labor in the middle of the night; during the day, routine care for all the zoo’s...
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Furwell tour: snow leopard siblings prepare for their next adventures!

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is preparing to say goodbye to three snow leopards born at the zoo in May 2024, as they’ve now matured enough to begin their separate journeys. Lenny, Phyllis and Raya were born under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan , a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species. The cubs are nearly 2 years old now—an age when they would naturally separate from their mother. They are now able to move to different zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to continue to be ambassadors for their species by inspiring visitors to take impactful action to help save these beautiful cats in their natural range. A cuddle puddle of siblings  Lenny, Phyllis and Raya back in December 2024.  Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Guests are encouraged to come say their final "furwells" by Apri...
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Rare and Remarkable: Woodland Park Zoo Welcomes Two Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren For the first time in our 126-year history, critically endangered hooded vultures are calling the zoo home The new hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) are a sub‑Saharan African species. The nearly 1year-old male’s name is Tutaonana (too-tah-oh-NAH-nah), Swahili for "see you later." The female will turn 2 this month and is named Kiara (kee-AH-rah), Swahili for “princess.” Welcome  Tutaonana and Kiara! The pair can be found across from the maned wolves, where they have quickly gotten comfortable in their new home and are enjoying snacking on their favorite treat of raw meatballs. These Old World birds are sure to stun guests with their dark brown plumage and the thin, bare skin on their heads and face that give them their “hooded” appearance. They also sport an impressive wingspan that’s well over 5 feet! The population of hooded vultures has dramatically declined over recent decades, making them one of A...
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What to expect when expecting, with gorilla moms Olympia and Jamani

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher. Communications Editor’s Note: Big shout-outs of gratitude and appreciation to members of Woodland Park Zoo’s extraordinary, expert gorilla care team for answering all our questions, including Stephanie, Judy, Traci, Ashley and Tesh! Jamani and Olympia are both expecting babies in May! Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo We recently shared with you that two of Woodland Park Zoo’s gorillas are pregnant and due to give birth five days apart this spring! The pregnant gorillas are Olympia, due May 19, and Jamani, due May 24. The father-to-be for both babies is Nadaya. The gestation period for gorillas is nearly nine months—only about two weeks shy of human gestation. This will be the second offspring for both pregnant gorillas. Before arriving at Woodland Park Zoo in 2022, Olympia, 29, and Jamani, 26, lived together at North Carolina Zoo. Each gave birth to a son just weeks apart in 2012 and successfully raised them together. Flashback: Jamani and Oly...
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