Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications Hello down there! A tree kangaroo climbs up high in Woodland Park Zoo's Day Exhibit. Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Woodland Park Zoo is home to endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroos , native to the cloud forests of Papua New Guinea. From the trees, tree kangaroos can leap 60 feet to the ground without getting hurt. Don’t try this at home! Picking coffee in Papua New Guinea. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. You can help protect tree kangaroos and their tree-top homes by looking for PNG YUS coffee, now back in stock at Caffe Vita  thanks to a partnership with Woodland Park Zoo’s Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program . The conservation coffee supports eco-friendly livelihoods for the landowners that share tree ‘roo forests.

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications This Valentine's Day, tell your special someone that you love them and the environment by going paper-free and sending a Woodland Park Zoo e-card instead. Below is a peek at the card designs. Start building your Valentine e-card now . Original photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Mat Hayward/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Dale Unruh/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Mat Hayward/Woodland Park Zoo; modified. Original photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo; modified.

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications We got squeals, they’re multiplying. Please help us welcome to the world four new Asian small-clawed otter babies that have been squealing and chirping away since their birth on January 20! The new litter—three females and one male—is spending time in a behind-the-scenes den with mom Teratai and dad Guntur. This is the second litter of pups born to this pair, who famously gave birth to four boys last June just a month after debuting on exhibit in the new Bamboo Forest Reserve. Video: The newest otter pups behind the scenes with mom, dad and their four brothers. The four older brothers, Sherman, Thomas, Chancellor and Maxwell, have taken a lot of interest in the little pups. While mom nurses the newborns, the father and older brothers pitch in to provide supportive care. The parents and the older siblings have daily access to the outdoor exhibit, but they are primarily choosing to stay indoors to be with the pups. Viewing in the

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications Photos by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Most of the snow has already melted away, but thankfully we have these great photos to help us remember this weekend's winter wonderland! The lion cubs discovered snow is the perfect landing pad for pounces. The snow leopard is a natural in the snow with thick fur and a long tail that acts as a scarf when they need to tuck in and warm up. The elephants chose to explore the snow throughout their exhibit. Snow provides a new tactile sensation to an elephant's trunk. Graceful cranes look especially beautiful in a snowy setting.  In the center is a juvenile flamingo distinguished by its black and gray feathers that have not yet all turned to pink. Snow is a new experience for the young one. Chilean flamingos are hardy birds that are built to withstand extremely cold winter nights in their native South American habitat. Some animals look

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications It may be all about the chocolate for you, but it's heart-shaped steaks, herbal bouquets and strawberry ice pops for the animals at Woodland Park Zoo's Valentine's Day Celebration coming up this Sat., Feb. 8, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Orangutan Chinta enjoys a fruity ice pop. Photo: Ryan Hawk/WPZ. The sweet treats are designed to bring out the wild side of each animal, catered to their favorite flavors and the unique ways each likes to hunt, peck or dive into decadent treats. See the full schedule of enrichment activities to see which animals will be joining in. If you are ready to plan a date with your special someone, send them a free Valentine e-card.  We have lots of fun and flirty designs to choose from, inspired by the zoo's animals! Choose from a selection of Valentine e-cards inspired by Woodland Park Zoo animals. Original photo by Dennis Dow/WPZ.

Posted by: Gigi Allianic, Communications Take your pic with the #Tallest12 Some of the shortest 12s pose with the #Tallest12. Photo: Caileigh Robertson/Woodland Park Zoo. Wear your Seahawks gear and come pose with the #Tallest12. Photo: Caileigh Robertson/Woodland Park Zoo. For Seahawks Twelfies, take selfies next to a cutout sign of Misawa, the zoo’s 6-month-old, 9-foot-tall giraffe, who is Seattle’s #Tallest 12 decked out in Seahawks colors. Take your pic with the cutout at the zoo's West Entrance and share it with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #Tallest12 to show the wild side of your Blue Pride. (Zoo admission is not required to take your photo, but remember—wearing your Seahawks gear gets you  $3 off zoo admission  through Sunday.) Legion of Boom The Legion of Boom. Photo: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. In honor of the Seahawks’ secondary, Woodland Park Zoo has named our four Asian small-clawed otter boys after the Legion of Boom. The pups, S

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications We can’t believe the time has already come to see our four young lions move on to the next stage of their lives. Born in November 2012, brothers Pelo and Rudo and sisters Busela and Nobuhle are now nearly the size of their mother, Adia. It’s hard not to think of them as our babies, but the foursome is maturing and getting closer to breeding age. This winter, each cub will be moving to a new home at an accredited zoo. This gives them the opportunity to pair up with new mates and eventually begin their own families through the Species Survival Plan conservation breeding program , while also making room for potential new cubs at Woodland Park Zoo. The male cubs began growing in their manes last summer. Photo: Dennis Dow/WPZ There are lots of comings and goings to keep track of as the pride reshapes over the next few weeks. Here’s what has been happening and what is coming up next: Inside the crate is young male lion, Pelo, being loa

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications At last count, more than 260 babies were born at Woodland Park Zoo in 2013, and hey, there’s still a few hours left in the year! We may have had our hands full of cubs, chicks, pups and kits, but the year was also marked by many other new additions: from a new exhibit that transformed the oldest part of the zoo, to new conservation programs that fight for a future for wildlife. Let’s take a look at the Top 13 zoo stories of 2013 that made us smile, made us care, and made us act to make a difference: 13.  Living with bears Bears want cake. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Picnics aren't just for Yogi Bear—here in the Pacific Northwest, you may truly encounter a bear while hiking, picnicking or camping in the great outdoors, and sometimes even in your own backyard. What do you when a bear crashes your barbecue? Better yet, how can you make sure the bear never gets invited in the first place? With the help of destructi

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications You spend all that time decorating the tree, and then a grizzly comes along and gobbles it up. Photo: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. Well, hopefully not at your house, but that’s exactly what happens at Woodland Park Zoo’s Winter Celebration , Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 21-23. Break out of hibernation and join us for some holiday-themed treats for the animals. They'll much on decorated wreaths and evergreen trees, and tear into gift wrapped boxes filled with favorite foods. Greet your loved ones with a snowy otter, one of several free e-card designs. Photo: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. 'Tis the season for sharing, so invite a friend to join you  by  sending a free Woodland Park Zoo holiday e-card! Browse from several designs and get started on making your tree-free card  today.