Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Editor's note: Special thanks to gorilla keepers Kate Gordon and Stephanie Payne. It is because of their hard work and close, trusting relationships with the gorillas that we can share stories like this with you. The relationships that our animal keepers have developed with gorillas, like Olympia and Nadaya seen here, have allowed our care team to more closely monitor their heart health. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Heart health is important for us all, especially as we age. This is also true for gorillas and other apes living in human care. They are susceptible to health problems related to cardiovascular disease—also known as CVD or more simply “heart disease”—just as we are. Formally established in 2010, the Great Ape Heart Project (GAHP) addresses the critical need to track and understand heart disease in great apes—including gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos that live in human care. Just like in humans, c...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications The snuggle is real! Mom Kushali cuddles with sloth bear cub, Bowie, in a quiet off-view maternity den. Photo: Woodland Park Zoo As winter hangs on and people still immerse in hygge, a mama sloth bear is denning up with her new cub, a girl! The cub was born in January to mom Kushali and dad Bhutan. The gestation period for sloth bears is about six months. The zoo’s sloth bear team has named the cub Bowie as a tribute to the late David Bowie whose birthday is January 8, the same day the cub was born. The last birth of sloth bears at the zoo was in 2022 when Kushali gave birth to her first offspring—a son and daughter who continue to thrive at new homes. Woodland Park Zoo Animal Curator Martin Ramirez explained that Bowie is nursing regularly, she’s very vocal and she has a full, rounded tummy, all positive signs she’s healthy. Kushali and Bowie are currently living in an off-view maternity den for a more quiet, comfortable environment to encourage...