Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Beautiful Tasha was 20 years old, which is geriatric for a sloth bear. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is mourning the loss of Tasha, a 20-year-old, female sloth bear. The elderly bear was humanely euthanized after cancer was discovered during a diagnostic exam. Showing signs of rapidly declining health, lack of appetite, and lethargy, Tasha underwent an urgent diagnostic exam which revealed a large amount of free fluid in her abdomen containing malignant tumor cells. This indicated a diagnosis of advanced cancer with severe systemic effects, explained Dr. Tim Storms, Director of Animal Health at Woodland Park Zoo. “Considering the severity of her condition and a grave prognosis, we made the humane decision to euthanize Tasha,” said Storms. “Tasha was possibly our most beautiful sloth bear. Her long shaggy coat was always perfectly arranged and flowed in the wind when she walked. Her expressive hazel eyes appeared full of de...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo’s sloth bear cub, a 3-month-old girl named Bowie, will meet the public this weekend. Bowie, who shares the same birthday, January 8, as icon David Bowie, will be introduced to the outdoor habitat with her mom, Kushali. Outdoor time will be weather-dependent. Since she was born, Bowie has been living with mom in a maternity den away from visitors. Here in a private setting, she has been thriving and learning critical bear skills from mom. Kushali and Bowie will be given the choice to go outdoors, so visibility to zoo guests will be intermittent initially, explained Martin Ramirez, a mammal curator at Woodland Park Zoo. “We want to give mom the opportunity to determine how much time Bowie spends exploring the outdoor habitat and when it’s time for a nap,” said Ramirez. “We know everyone’s excited to meet our new cub in person—bear cubs are irresistible and playful. However, we’ll a...

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...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications 2022 is off to a wonderful start with the birth of twin sloth bears! The cubs, a boy and a girl, were born on New Year’s Day—the first births of the year at Woodland Park Zoo. The tiny sloth bear cubs are seen here in the maternity den at 14 days old—eyes still closed. They should be able to open their eyes any day now. Photo: Woodland Park Zoo The cubs, who don't have names yet, were born to first-time mom Kushali and dad Bhutan. This is the second litter of cubs for Bhutan and the first successful birth for Kushali, who was born at Woodland Park Zoo in 2012. The last birth of sloth bears at the zoo was in 2017. Video of the cubs cuddled together in the off-view maternity den. Volume UP! Sloth bears in zoos are rare, with only 34 currently living in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Every birth of sloth bears is significant for the Sloth Bear Species Survival Plan. Species Survival Plans are cooperative breeding pr...