Posted by: Gigi Allianic, Communications
Resilient frogs, lizards, and turtles show that life goes on after surviving the December fire that damaged the Day and Night exhibit building where they resided.
Since being safely evacuated from the building through a heroic effort by Seattle Fire Department and the zoo’s animal care staff, a pair of tiger-legged monkey frogs has produced 50 tadpoles—a first-time breeding at the zoo for this species.
“We observed the monkey frogs in a ‘love embrace’ on Christmas Eve. The fact that these animals could breed and reproduce after a fire and being placed in temporary housing is a testimony to the excellent care and dedication provided by our animal care staff. This is wonderful news and a sign of hope after the fire,” said Jennifer Pramuk, PhD, animal curator and an expert in reptiles and amphibians at Woodland Park Zoo.
In addition, shield-tailed agamas (lizards found in Somalia and Ethiopia) and Asian yellow-margined box turtles have produced eggs, which are in development. The turtle species is endangered in the wild and is part of a Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program among accredited conservation zoos to manage the health and growth of the population.
The frogs, lizards and turtles were among 182 animals—including reptiles, amphibians, a tree kangaroo and an armadillo—safely rescued from the fire and relocated to other animal buildings on zoo grounds. While most of the animals remain off view, you can visit the reticulated python which is on view with an Indian python in a different exhibit. Sadly, the tree kangaroo, a geriatric animal, was humanely euthanized a week ago due to age-related declining health.
The fire occurred in the Day and Night Exhibit building, with the Night Exhibit side of the building sustaining significant structural damage, including holes in the roof and collapsed internal structures. The Night Exhibit side of the building had closed in 2010 and no longer housed animals except for six turtles hibernating in the basement at the time of the fire—two black-breasted and four Indochinese box turtles—which did not survive the heat and smoke..
Since the fire, we have been involved in numerous inspections, evaluation efforts, and conversations with fire, city and insurance personnel. The entire building remains unsafe to access and the Seattle Fire Investigation Unit was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
Due to much uncertainty about the extent of damage, efforts are underway to identify interim housing for the displaced animals including potential exhibit modifications over the next several months. Several animals will remain at the zoo due to their advanced age and pre-existing health conditions. We are working with our colleagues at other accredited facilities to re-home some of our venomous snakes and other animals that we might re-acquire in the future.
Another group of animals has been identified to stay at the zoo due to the husbandry expertise of zoo staff and history of caring for these species or because they are significantly endangered and are managed under Species Survival Plans. We hope to place these animals on exhibit for our guests and are focusing on ways to make this happen.
Over the next several weeks, the zoo will continue to assess the damage, including the structure and building’s mechanical and electrical system. Re-occupation of the Day side of the building will depend on damage assessment to the entire building and strategies to replace all of the utilities.
We have so much work ahead but are undaunted in our commitment to these animals, heartened by your outpouring of support. You all are the force of nature that drives us. Thanks for your kindness, patience, and understanding these last few weeks, and most of all, thanks for being the kind of people who can share in the joy of tadpole news with us!
Resilient frogs, lizards, and turtles show that life goes on after surviving the December fire that damaged the Day and Night exhibit building where they resided.
Since being safely evacuated from the building through a heroic effort by Seattle Fire Department and the zoo’s animal care staff, a pair of tiger-legged monkey frogs has produced 50 tadpoles—a first-time breeding at the zoo for this species.
“We observed the monkey frogs in a ‘love embrace’ on Christmas Eve. The fact that these animals could breed and reproduce after a fire and being placed in temporary housing is a testimony to the excellent care and dedication provided by our animal care staff. This is wonderful news and a sign of hope after the fire,” said Jennifer Pramuk, PhD, animal curator and an expert in reptiles and amphibians at Woodland Park Zoo.
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The frogs, lizards and turtles were among 182 animals—including reptiles, amphibians, a tree kangaroo and an armadillo—safely rescued from the fire and relocated to other animal buildings on zoo grounds. While most of the animals remain off view, you can visit the reticulated python which is on view with an Indian python in a different exhibit. Sadly, the tree kangaroo, a geriatric animal, was humanely euthanized a week ago due to age-related declining health.
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| A scene from the December 2016 fire. |
The fire occurred in the Day and Night Exhibit building, with the Night Exhibit side of the building sustaining significant structural damage, including holes in the roof and collapsed internal structures. The Night Exhibit side of the building had closed in 2010 and no longer housed animals except for six turtles hibernating in the basement at the time of the fire—two black-breasted and four Indochinese box turtles—which did not survive the heat and smoke..
Since the fire, we have been involved in numerous inspections, evaluation efforts, and conversations with fire, city and insurance personnel. The entire building remains unsafe to access and the Seattle Fire Investigation Unit was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
Due to much uncertainty about the extent of damage, efforts are underway to identify interim housing for the displaced animals including potential exhibit modifications over the next several months. Several animals will remain at the zoo due to their advanced age and pre-existing health conditions. We are working with our colleagues at other accredited facilities to re-home some of our venomous snakes and other animals that we might re-acquire in the future.
Another group of animals has been identified to stay at the zoo due to the husbandry expertise of zoo staff and history of caring for these species or because they are significantly endangered and are managed under Species Survival Plans. We hope to place these animals on exhibit for our guests and are focusing on ways to make this happen.
Over the next several weeks, the zoo will continue to assess the damage, including the structure and building’s mechanical and electrical system. Re-occupation of the Day side of the building will depend on damage assessment to the entire building and strategies to replace all of the utilities.
We have so much work ahead but are undaunted in our commitment to these animals, heartened by your outpouring of support. You all are the force of nature that drives us. Thanks for your kindness, patience, and understanding these last few weeks, and most of all, thanks for being the kind of people who can share in the joy of tadpole news with us!
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