Woodland Park Zoo Blog

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Dave, one of Woodland Park Zoo's giraffes, to undergo hoof procedure.

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo UPDATE 3/26/26 at 4pm: Thanks to our incredible Animal Health and Animal Care teams, Dave’s hoof procedure this morning went smoothly, and he was quickly back up on his feet. Dave received a silicone fill to address a hole in his right front hoof as well as a full giraffe pedicure from an expert farrier. Massive thanks to all the folks who helped plan and execute a smooth and successful procedure for the tallest giraffe on African Savanna—and thanks to you all for sending Dave such warm wishes! Dave will be anesthetized as part of a procedure to look at his toe and hooves. Woodland Park Zoo’s animal care staff have a very tall order to carry out as they team up in the giraffe barn today to perform a procedure on the zoo’s 18-foot tall, male giraffe, Dave, who has a penetrating hole in the bottom of his right front toe that is affecting the bone of that digit. The giraffe’s overgrown feet ...

Tree kangaroo tests the treetops of new exhibit: All-new Forest Trailhead opens May 1!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Hello, Rocket! Welcome to your new Forest Trailhead habitat! What, a kangaroo in the trees? That’s right, there are indeed kangaroos that live in trees, and Rocket, a male Matschie’s tree kangaroo at Woodland Park Zoo, is living up to his species’ moniker and testing the treetops in the soon-to-open Forest Trailhead. The 12,000-square-foot building and 1-acre grounds is dedicated to the global movement for forest conservation and will open to the community on Friday, May 1, 2026. Rocket wasted no time exploring his new Forest Trailhead habitat. Look at those claws —perfect "tools" for climbing! Rocket is the first mammal to be introduced to the new habitats in Forest Trailhead. The all-new, interactive and multi-sensory exhibit, which borders the zoo’s West Plaza entry, will be home to tree kangaroos, red pandas, kea—alpine parrots native to New Zealand—and a variety of reptiles, amphibian...

Two pregnant gorillas due to give birth five days apart this spring! Babies will be the second for each expectant mom

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Jamani (left) and Olympia (right) are both expecting babies this May! Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is proud to announce that two western lowland gorillas are expecting babies in May—and five days apart! 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 eight to nine months. 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. Handsome silverback, Nadaya! These babies will mark his first foray into fatherhood —and we think he's going to be a great Dad! Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo For Nadaya, the silverback of the family group, the offspring will be his first. Adult male gorillas ar...

Forest Trailhead exhibit to open May 1, 2026!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photo by Adam Hunter, LMN Architects Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo Through a treetop path, across a forest landscape, and inside an all-seasons pavilion, the all-new Forest Trailhead exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo will bring to life every animal’s and human being’s connection to forests. In honor of World Wildlife Day today, the zoo is proud to announce that the 12,000-square-foot building and 1-acre grounds dedicated to the global movement for forest conservation will open on Friday, May 1, 2026. Forests are home to the greatest diversity of wildlife on land, enriching the planet with species that Earth can’t afford to lose. The interactive, multi-sensory exhibit will be home to tree kangaroos, red panda, kea parrots, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. LMN Architects and Sellen Construction were the design team and general contractor, respectively. Bordering the zoo’s West Plaza entry, Forest Trailhead...

1-year-old sloth bear, Bowie, undergoes surgery and will be off view for several weeks while recovering

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo 1-year-old female sloth bear Bowie is behind the scenes for several weeks, recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone. Bowie, a 1-year-old, female sloth bear at Woodland Park Zoo, is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured femur in her right thigh. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Duane Robinson and his surgical team joined the zoo’s animal health staff on Sunday to help the bear. Bowie is recovering from surgery in the quiet, off-view den where the animal keepers can monitor her closely while she heals. She and her mom, Kushali, who continues to be with her daughter during recovery, will be off view for six to eight weeks. Bowie and her attentive mom, Kushali, are together in a quiet behind the scenes den where our animal care staff can monitor her while she heals. Fracture repair surgery is commonly known as open reduction and internal fixation. “Once the fracture was reduced with good alignment,...

Zoo’s farm transforms with Wild Encounters. Coming soon: Lorikeet Landing, Aldabra giant tortoises and more!

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Lorikeets and lories are brilliantly colored parrots that primarily eat pollen and nectar. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Imagine ... a dazzling array of squawking lorikeets taking flight in search of nectar. Curious goats leaning in for a scratch. Aldabra giant tortoises walking slowly, steadily toward you. These unforgettable moments will come to life in Wild Encounters, where Woodland Park Zoo’s Family Farm will transform into a new and refreshed hub for up-close animal experiences for guests of all ages. Phase one to open this summer. Located at the site of the current Family Farm, Wild Encounters will be designed around the concept, where everyone cares like a keeper. The space will be reimagined to give guests of all ages hands-on and up-close experiences with animals and animal care activities. “Our animal keepers are caretakers for wildlife, and everyone who feels a connection with animals can be inspired to care in t...