Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Alejandro Grajal, President and CEO, Woodland Park Zoo Our nation is facing vigorous and necessary social discussions about racism, inclusion and equity. No person or organization can be part of the movement for equity without some tough, genuine self-reflection. So here I am to tell you as the President and CEO of Woodland Park Zoo: I know that we still have a lot of work ahead to transform our zoo into a dynamic space that truly represents our whole community, and we are committed. Inclusion is one of the zoo’s central values, and I’m proud of our ongoing work to remove economic, physical or ability-based barriers. For all the good work we want to do now and in the years ahead, we have to reconcile with the foundation we’re building on. And for zoos, that’s a quite literal foundation. We build exhibits that last decades, architectural monuments meant to sustain the lives of our resident animals and withstand weather and visitation by millions of people. So as the world chan...

Our hippos are big fans of watermelon any time of the year! Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. For all the animals in our care, we’re committed to their daily wellbeing. But we also dedicate ourselves to assuring they will continue to thrive through all the ages and stages of their lives still to come. That’s why after much discussion and consideration, zoo staff will begin the process of seeking new homes for our beloved hippos, Lily and Lupe. Lily and Lupe have been part of our zoo family for decades, and while we will be sad to see them move, we feel that this decision is the very best thing for two of our favorite hippos in the world. Lupe is at an appropriate age for breeding at 20 years old. Based on Lupe’s genetic makeup, she is recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) so that she can help sustain a genetically healthy population. Our current hippo exhibit was designed 40 years ago to house two hippos. It was not i...

Posted by Alejandro Grajal, PhD, President and CEO When will we address climate change? Will it be when salmon can no longer spawn in Washington waters? Will we do something to curb carbon pollution once the orca has gone extinct? Or will we do nothing as wild species disappear one by one throughout the Pacific Northwest and the world? This November, Washington state must vote to protect wildlife for generations. If passed, Initiative 1631 would be the first Carbon Fee enacted by popular vote in the world. Woodland Park Zoo fully endorses Initiative 1631 because the health of the Puget Sound region, its people, and wildlife are impacted by climate change.   Initiative 1631 brings together a wide and deep coalition of citizens from agriculture, manufacturing, business, labor, Tribes, communities of color, environmentalists, and faith communities – Initiative 1631 is truly a citizen’s initiative. Democracy starts with those who participate in it. The broad and diverse coal...