Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Poppy, a Matschie's tree kangaroo at Woodland Park Zoo, is recovering from amputation surgery performed last week in response to a bacterial infection. After observing the rapidly-spreading bacteria during a CT scan, a team of animal health experts removed Poppy’s right arm. Poppy in October 2026, prior to surgery. Photo by Lindsay Phillips/Woodland Park Zoo. The female marsupial will turn 3 next month and arrived at the zoo in June under a recommendation by the Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan. It is unknown when or how Poppy originally contracted the bacteria, but it is not contagious and no other animals or humans are at risk of contracting it from her. She lives in a habitat that is not viewable to zoo guests and is recovering in an off-view space where her animal care team can observe her closely and shower her with lots of extra love. Tree kangaroos are arboreal marsupials that spend nearly their entire lives in trees and are equippe...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Editor's note: Special thanks to Associate Veterinarian Dr. Rodrigo Garces and Lead Animal Keeper Katie Graves for answering all our questions about Azul’s September day at the “doctor’s office.” Visiting the doctor—for yourself or your pets—isn't just for treating illnesses or injuries. Regular wellness checks are part of a good healthcare routine for everyone in your family. It’s the same for our zoo family. Follow along, as Azul, our 10-year-old female Malayan tiger, gets a veterinary checkup at Woodland Park Zoo’s animal hospital. Let's take a closer look  as Azul, our 10-year-old female Malayan tiger, goes for a veterinary checkup. How often does a big cat like Azul need to have a wellness exam? Standard preventive medicine guidelines that the veterinary team has established at Woodland Park Zoo for these bigger animals suggest that—as long as they are in overall good health—a co...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is proud to announce it has received two Significant Achievement Awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Out of the 96 nominations across all award categories, Woodland Park Zoo was recognized for its exceptional work in pollinator conservation and advocacy, and for the Advancing Conservation through Empathy for Wildlife Network. Woodland Park Zoo was awarded the Significant Achievement Advocacy Impact Award for its Hello Pollinators, Goodbye Pests! campaign and the passage of Washington State Senate Bill 5972. This landmark legislation gave the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) authority to regulate pesticides including neonicotinoids, which are known to be incredibly harmful to pollinators. As of January 1, 2026, neonicotinoids are no longer allowed for use by home gardeners on outdoor ornamental plants in Washington state. “These achievements...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren Kitoko in January, 2026. Photo by Beth Keplinger/Woodland Park Zoo Be sure to swing by Woodland Park Zoo and share good vibes and feels with 6-year-old Kitoko (ki-TOE-koh), a male western lowland gorilla, as he gets ready to embark on a new chapter of his life by moving to a new home. The last day to see Kitoko and show him some love will be Monday, August 31. Kitoko, whose name means beautiful or handsome in the African languages, Lingala (lin-gah-lah)/Kikongo (key-KON-goh), has reached the subadult stage of a gorilla when males naturally leave their natal group (birth family) or are driven out to form bachelor groups with other young adult males. This "bachelor stage" of life can last several years while they learn from each other how to navigate gorilla society before eventually maturing into a silverback (adult male) who may be able to lead his own group of females and start a family.  April 2022, Kit...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is excited to announce a new one-month program inviting the public to nominate deserving community members, friends and family for free general admission zoo tickets. The zoo wants to be a place for all people and recognizes that financial, cultural or ability barriers can sometimes make access to the zoo a challenge. This month, community members are invited to help expand access to Woodland Park Zoo by nominating an individual or family who could benefit from a free, joyful and uplifting zoo experience as part of the All for Access nomination program. The All for Access nomination program is one of several ways community members can participate in Woodland Park Zoo's All for Animals campaign. The campaign celebrates the many ways people can support wildlife, conservation, and meaningful connections with nature while helping ensure the zoo remains welcoming and accessible to ...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Welcome, Jessie! We're excited to hang with you! Woodland Park Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of Jessie, a female Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, who is joining Fezzik, the male sloth who arrived last year. Jessie, 26, was born September 10, 1999, at Philadelphia Zoo and has had three offspring. Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the zoo and gives guests another opportunity to connect with this elusive tree-dwelling species. Jessie, who is 26 years old, recently arrived from Philadelphia Zoo. Jessie and Fezzik,11, are Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths— Choloepus hoffmanni —a species known for its slow-moving, upside-down lifestyle in the forest canopy. Named for the two long, curved claws on each front foot, these nocturnal mammals spend much of their time resting, climbing and browsing on leaves, fruit and flowers. Sloths are found in Central and South America and are generally known fo...