Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Have you ever tried to catch a flying fish tossed by the Pike Place Fish Market fishmongers? It's not as easy as they make it look! But our bears—and some zoo guests!—were up for the task today. Breakfast is almost ready, boys! Photo by John Loughlin/Woodland Park Zoo. The fishmongers came up to the zoo this morning to offer a special salmon breakfast for our grizzly brothers, Keema and Denali, as we get pumped for this Saturday's Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day presented by Brown Bear Car Wash. And the boys in orange got the whole crowd going! Some were naturals... Photo by John Loughlin/Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. Some discovered the hard way how slippery a flying fish can be... Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. And some were truly joyous in victory! Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. But none was as ready as

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Bears, we dedicate this week to you! Photo by John Loughlin/Woodland Park Zoo. It’s Bear Awareness Week in Washington, proclaimed by Governor Jay Inslee, and it’s all leading up to Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day presented by Brown Bear Car Wash, Sat., June 6. At Bear Affair, grizzly bear brothers Keema and Denali will demonstrate exactly what happens in your backyard or campsite when a picnic isn’t stored properly—and you’ll get tips on how to bear-proof your next outdoor adventure! Photo by Mat Hayward/Woodland Park Zoo. Bear Affair puts the spotlight on bears, wolves, raptors and other Pacific Northwest wildlife—the focus of Woodland Park Zoo's Living Northwest conservation program  and the personalities behind our newest quiz: Which Northwest Animal Are You? Practice carnivore awareness by learning what these animals need to survive in the wild, how to help keep them safe and what humans can do to peacef

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Since the passing of our gorilla grand matriarch , Nina, last week, we’ve heard from so many of you who remember her sweet presence—whether it was from one memorable visit that stuck with you or a lifetime of visits that added up to a special place in your heart for the notable dame. Nina, photo by Mat Hayward/Woodland Park Zoo. We want you to know that those visits truly matter. Not just for the time you spend building a powerful connection with nature, but for the positive impact you make—perhaps without even realizing it—for wildlife across the world. That’s because every visit to Woodland Park Zoo helps support our local and international conservation efforts , like those helping to protect endangered western lowland gorillas—just like Nina—in the wild. Blackback Costa, submerged and feeding on mineral rich aquatic plants in a stream in the Mbeli Bai clearing, northern Congo. Photo by Kelly Greenway For 15 years, Woodland Park Zoo

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor It's time to find your inner beast, Northwest style! As we countdown to Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation presented by Brown Bear Car Wash on Sat., June 6, we're celebrating the wonders of Northwest wildlife with this fun little quiz that puts the spotlight on our native neighbors. Take the quiz at http://www.zoo.org/bearaffair Learning to co-exist safely and harmoniously with our local wildlife is at the heart of Bear Affair. On the big day, June 6, grizzly bear brothers Keema and Denali will ransack a mock backyard and mock campsite in their exhibit to show us what happens when you don’t properly clean up or bear proof your outdoor living spaces. Zookeepers and conservation experts will be on hand to teach you the safety tips you can follow to avoid dangerous encounters like this in your yard or on your next camping or hiking adventure. Photo by Mat Hayward/Woodland Park Zoo. Through the zoo's Living Northwest c

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Beautiful Nina. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. A great grandmother and the bedrock of our gorilla groups, Nina passed away today at the age of 47. The elderly gorilla had received such tender, specialized care from her keepers in her final geriatric years, but old age caught up with her today. After a normal morning of eating and resting, Nina was not visible in any of her favorite spots in the exhibit later in the morning. When the keepers became concerned and started looking for her, she was spotted, not moving, under a large tree. Nina was taken to our veterinary hospital where animal care and veterinary staff made the humane decision to euthanize her. Nina enjoying a birthday treat earlier this year. Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Earlier this year many of you joined us for a special celebration in honor of Nina, her silverback mate Pete, as well as orangutan twins, Towan and Chinta, all of whom celebrated their

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor A baby porcupine is known as a porcupette. It’s the cutest vocabulary word you’re likely to use today, as we’re confident you’ll be sharing this little face with everyone you know: Photo by Kirsten Pisto/Woodland Park Zoo. Born last Friday, May 15, this North American porcupine baby, whose sex is not yet known, weighed just over a pound at birth. It’s now pushing about 1.5 pounds (700 grams). Photo by Kirsten Pisto/Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Kirsten Pisto/Woodland Park Zoo. We thought of a few other things that weigh 1.5 pounds, but 175 packets of sugar, or four and a half bananas, or a small pineapple don’t stand up to this cuteness—though the pineapple may give it a run for prickliness. The resemblance is uncanny. (left) A porcupine baby at Woodland Park Zoo in 2013, photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. (right) Growing pineapples, photo by Roman Lashkin via flickr Creative Commons . About that prickliness. We get

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor His name is Zigzag, Ziggy for short, and he’s true to his name. One of two new arrivals to the Northern Trail, this 18-month-old river otter has been zigging this way and that on land and in water, investigating every inch of his new home, and getting to know Duncan, our resident 17-year-old otter. Duncan and Ziggy swimming together. Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. And now, Ziggy has encountered the most fascinating part of his new home, the part that will take the most getting used to… …Valkyrie, a 1-year-old female river otter recently arrived from Pueblo Zoo. A video posted by Woodland Park Zoo (@woodlandparkzoo) on May 14, 2015 at 9:57am PDT Instagram video:  https://instagram.com/p/2q3wD6pQRe She’s tiny yet mighty, according to her keepers. Valkyrie is visibly smaller and more nimble than Duncan and Ziggy, but don’t let her size fool you. She is a cute little otter with a big voice and powerful presence among

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Bamboo and Chai at Woodland Park Zoo in April 2015. The two elephants have now arrived at Oklahoma City Zoo. Photo by Mandi Fillmore/Woodland Park Zoo. Chai and Bamboo are unpacking their trunks, so to speak, after arriving at Oklahoma City Zoo. With the final leg of their road trip complete, the two walked out of their crates early this morning and into the quarantine barn of their new home. Veterinarians regularly checked on the elephants throughout the trip and found them in good shape and doing well. Upon their arrival, Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino, Oklahoma City Zoo Director of Veterinary Services, noted both elephants looked great this morning. They immediately interacted with their keepers, munched on watermelon, cantaloupe, raisins and hay, enjoyed sand baths and explored their surroundings. Sound the trumpets & roll out the welcome mat...Bamboo & Chai have arrived. #elephantsOK pic.twitter.com/fhaU91dlbt — Oklahoma City Zo

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor At Woodland Park Zoo, Mother's Day is a chance to celebrate moms of all species! Join us for the 25th annual Mom & Me at the Zoo , Sat., May 9, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moms receive half-price admission to the zoo on the day of the event (discount not available online). You'll find activities for the whole family out on the North Meadow including live entertainment, arts and crafts, and play areas. Then catch keeper talks to learn more about how moms of the animal kingdom provide care for their little ones. A video posted by Woodland Park Zoo (@woodlandparkzoo) on Apr 25, 2015 at 8:11am PDT Lion mom video:  https://instagram.com/p/15wfJbpQeB These days there's one Woodland Park Zoo mom working triple time to care for her cubs—lion mama Adia. With her mate, Xerxes, by her side, Adia keeps watch over her three 7-month-old sons. They rough around and wrestle, and are learning through play how their claws and

UPDATE:  Ms. Goodall has respectfully asked for time to review the issues more closely while she reconsiders her viewpoint. We continue to provide her with information and access to sources as needed. Bamboo and Chai at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Mandi Fillmore/Woodland Park Zoo. ORIGINAL POST: Some of you may have seen last week a letter circulating from esteemed conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall about our plans to relocate elephants Chai and Bamboo to join a family at Oklahoma City Zoo. We had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Goodall and provide her access to more information about the careful planning that went into identifying their new home. After reviewing all the information available to her and consulting her network of professional colleagues, Ms. Goodall sent the following letter she would like for us to share with you all now. Click to enlarge: Text in full: Dear Mayor Murray, Council President Burgess, & Dr. Jensen:  On April 22, 2015, I made som

VIDEO: Elephants Chai and Bamboo resting at San Diego Zoo. Footage courtesy of San Diego Zoo. Woodland Park Zoo’s female Asian elephants, Bamboo and Chai, spent the weekend at San Diego Zoo after their trip to Oklahoma City Zoo was rerouted due to a storm in Colorado and Wyoming that was expected to increase in severity. The pair continues to rest in comfort. According to Dr. Nancy Hawkes, Woodland Park Zoo’s general curator, Bamboo, 48, and Chai, 36, are eating, sleeping and interacting with their keepers, all positive signs they are doing well. “Blood draws and other tests show no evidence of medical concerns. Both elephants are hydrated and they are moving about normally,” said Hawkes. While at San Diego Zoo, the elephants are in an indoor facility in quarantine, which is standard procedure for any new animal at the zoo. The elephants have access to two large indoor rooms and an outdoor yard, all of which are off view to the public. Woodland Park Zoo’s keepers are provi

Two days ago, Woodland Park Zoo’s female Asian elephants, Bamboo and Chai, departed on a custom-built elephant transport vehicle for their new home at Oklahoma City Zoo. The caravan had to change their route in Salt Lake City due to a storm in Colorado and Wyoming that was expected to increase in severity. Because the reroute would have extended the trip a day longer, a decision was made for veterinary precautions to go to San Diego Zoo and allow the elephants to rest. Bamboo and Chai at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Mandi Fillmore/Woodland Park Zoo A total of three elephant experts, two veterinarians and three staff with the transportation consultant are accompanying the truck transporting Bamboo and Chai. The team has been making stops every few hours for wellness checks on the elephants and to provide food and change water. According to Martin Ramirez, mammal curator at Woodland Park Zoo, an extra day on the road would have been challenging for Bamboo and Chai. “For their wel

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor The return of tigers and the opening of ‎ Banyan Wilds ‬ on May 2 are less than a month away, but they've been years in the making. One of Woodland Park Zoo's Malayan tigers testing out the new exhibit. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. Follow the story of how an exhibit comes to life and a community comes together for a better future for wildlife and people: Video: Tigers return to Woodland Park Zoo, Thrive 2015. Produced by VIA Creatives for Woodland Park Zoo. We'll continue to share updates on the project each Tiger Tuesday as we count down to the grand opening. Thanks for making all this possible. We can't wait to celebrate with you!