Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Yola in 2016. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Woodland Park Zoo. Recently we shared the exciting news about Western lowland gorilla Uzumma’s pregnancy and the buzz about her first offspring with Kwame. While we wait for this new precious member of our gorilla family to be born we’re happy to share news related to the last baby born into that family—the now 4-year-old Yola. Seattle author Clare Meeker spent more than two years documenting Yola’s story and has recently published a book about it. Yola was born in 2015 to Nadiri and Vip. Because Nadiri was partially human-raised as an infant and had no experience as a mom, we were prepared for the possibility that she might not know what to do when she gave birth and that she might not immediately bond with her baby. Indeed, Yola’s first few months were spent in the care of her dedicated keepers who constantly stayed in close proximity to Nadiri. The goal was to help Nadiri bond with h...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher with Stephanie Jacobs 12-year-old Uzumma is pregnant with her first baby. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo In part one of this blog, gorilla keeper Stephanie Jacobs told us how first-time expectant-mother Uzumma is doing and filled us in on all the work that happens behind the scenes to prepare for a gorilla pregnancy. So let’s pick up the conversation with questions about getting ready for a birth and everything that comes next. WPZ: Thanks again, Stephanie for giving us a behind-the-scenes peek into the gorilla unit. So what happens while we all wait for this baby to be born? Obviously you and the other keepers are watching and waiting, but what else needs to happen before a baby arrives? Stephanie: So much happens! Really, we’re all over-the-moon excited [about Uzumma’s pregnancy by Kwame], but there is a lot to do. To begin with, keepers and the Animal Health Department make sure Uzumma’s BMP (birth management plan) is all ready to go. This ...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher with Stephanie Jacobs Uzumma, who is pregnant with her first baby due next spring, is doing really well! Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo We recently announced that Uzumma, our 12-year-old western lowland gorilla, is expecting her first baby next March. The father is 20-year-old Kwame and this baby will be their first offspring together. Kwame arrived at Woodland Park Zoo in 2018 following the unexpected death of Leonel . The absence of a silverback (a male leader and protector) can be very destabilizing for a gorilla family, but Kwame’s confident leadership has unified the whole family group over this last year—enabling Uzumma and her whole troop to be ready for this exciting new chapter. We chatted with animal keeper Stephanie Jacobs to find out how our gorilla team prepares for a gorilla pregnancy and why they think Uzumma has what it takes to be a great first-time mother. Kwame—silverback of the family, and father of Uzumma...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Salem & Knox: These handsome corn snake brothers are besssssst buds! Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo  We’d like you to get to know two snakes that are very special to us: Salem and Knox. These 5-year-old corn snake brothers joined our zoo family as youngsters and they’re still as close as can be! Corn snakes are non-venomous and come in many different colors and patterns. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Corn snakes are a North American species of rat snake that subdues its prey by constriction or squeezing. They are not venomous. They can come in many different colors and patterns which allows for occasional misidentification as a more dangerous species, but are generally harmless to humans. In nature, corn snakes are very important for pest control. It is thought they got their name because they can often be found near corn and grain storage areas, where they help control rodent populations. ...