Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo The #SeattleWatermelon has arrived. On June 10 at approximately 9:30 p.m., our Malayan tapir Ulan, gave birth to her first baby, a girl. We are in love. The gestation period for tapirs is approximately 13 months, and for Ulan, her birth window was between April and June, since we weren't exactly sure when she conceived. The average weight for calves at birth is 22 pounds, and Ulan's baby is 18 pounds. Calves are born with their eyes open and can stand within one or two hours after birth—and as you can see from these photos—baby tapirs hit their adorable watermelon benchmark right away! The newborn calf gets a quick neonatal exam by the animal health team before being reunited with mom. “These ‘watermelons on four legs’ are irresistible,” says Kevin Murphy, animal curator. “It will be curiously fun to watch her explore the public habitat, which we did our best to tapi...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Eduardo the three-banded armadillo. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo It’s time to meet our next featured Ambassador Animal. This handsome gent is Eduardo—a 16-year-old Southern three-banded armadillo. This species is native to South America, but Eduardo was born right here at Woodland Park Zoo, which makes him a bonafide Seattleite! Three-banded armadillos are the only ones that can curl up completely into a ball. Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo Armadillos are mammals and their name comes from the armour-like leathery exterior plates that protect them. Those bony plates are covered by a thick layer of tough skin and they grow as the animal grows, very similar to our finger nails! Three-banded armadillos are on the smaller side as armadillos go, being only about 9 or 10 inches long—and they are the only ones that can curl up completely into a ball to protect their belly, limbs, eyes, nose and ears from predators. Wh...

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications Photos by John Loughlin, Woodland Park Zoo Hello Yukiko! The 12 ½ year old red panda lives behind the scenes in Woodland Park Zoo’s red panda yard where he and Hazel take part in the Red Panda Species Survival Plan. While standing on his green balance bone, Yukiko the red panda moves his head from side to side, then up and down. The movements work his abdominal and back muscles as well as spine flexibility. The red panda is undergoing therapy which includes massage, laser therapy and exercises which work his muscles and strengthen his core. Yukiko is 12 ½ years old, so he is showing the normal signs of aging which include minor spondylosis, aging in the spine. Yukiko’s keepers noticed a slight decline in mobility as he moved around his enclosure and especially going up and down the ramps. After deciding on a therapy program with our veterinary team, keepers introduced Yukiko to the therapy equipment, such as his green balance ...

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Woodland Park Zoo You can add one more outdoors enthusiast to the lineup of PNW adventurers — Aibek took to climbing, pouncing and stealthily sneaking through the outdoor snow leopard exhibit this morning for the first time. The 2 month old male snow leopard was so eager to explore his new digs that he actually beat mom out the door, but Helen was close behind the little explorer to keep an eye on him. Prior to Aibek's first morning in the September drizzle, keepers weighed the cub (10.2 lbs.) and fed him a few meaty snacks. Keepers also sprayed a bit of cologne on branches and logs in the exhibit to entice mom, Helen. A meat treat was another incentive to head into the yard. Aibek has been eating mostly solids, although he is still nursing. During his first outdoor exploration, Aibek took his time sniffing around the grasses and pine trees and then made his way to the top of the rocky ...

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Tufani has her eyes on our camera, and baby girl has her eyes on Tufani. They take their first steps outside of the barn and into the outdoors. It’s a little fenced area—a safe, controlled space to let them take in some fresh air but not overwhelm them. Baby girl’s ears twitch, she lifts her head to take in all the sights, and gets a little gallop in her step. “This is going to be fun!” her legs seem to be telling her, kicking up dirt as they get a feel for the ground. Video: Baby giraffe takes first steps outside. It’s not long before baby is stretching her legs and walking around under the watchful eyes of momma Tufani. But Tufani isn’t the only one watching. Poppa Dave is technically on the other side of the fence, but at 15 feet tall, he can stretch his neck over and nuzzle the baby. Dave seems to think this newest arrival is the best part of each day. He’s interested in watching baby’s every move and appears to be as smitten as we are...

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor It’s a boy, and a boy, and a boy, and a girl! Four Asian small-clawed otters born in December had their first health check-up with zoo veterinarians today. All signs point to these little ones being healthy and well cared for by their doting mom, dad and older sisters. Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. The wellness exam was our first opportunity to get weights, administer vaccinations and assess their overall health up close. At 2 months old, these pups are starting to be more mobile and have fully opened their eyes, so the time was right to take a closer look. We’re pleased to report all four pups are robust and healthy. They currently weigh between 1.3 to 1.5 pounds, have fully round bellies and strong appetites. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. The pups were born December 9 to 7-year-old mother Teratai and 11-year-old father Guntur, their third litter. While the older sisters are actively particip...

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications Photos by: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Woodland Park Zoo Ahem, drum roll please... Meet Rufous! Rufous is the newest member of the Family Farm. This miniature Jersey cow is just 9 months old, but he has already become a barnyard favorite. Right now he weighs about 415 lb, but he'll be full grown at about 3 years old and could weigh between 1000-1200 lb. His tawny red fur is especially handsome. His main diet is Timothy Hay, a high fiber basic grass hay. The young cow enjoys playing with and eating his browse, fresh edible plants provided by his keepers. Rufous received a Christmas tree, which he nibbled on and also turned into a sparring partner. Sparring is definitely one of his favorite pastimes, a natural behavior for young bull calves. He pushes his ball around the yard with his forehead and feet. Keepers also hung a jolly ball in the barn for Rufous to knock around. Like his barn-mates , miniature donkeys Sam ...

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications Video and Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/WPZ Watch video: Emma the rabbit receives acupuncture and massage therapy. When we think of aging, we look to our elders to show us how it’s done, and here at the zoo there are some furrier examples of aging gracefully. Getting older can be rough on the body, but with the right health care plan, assistance from geriatric specialists, physical therapy, medication and lifestyle changes, people can enjoy many active, healthy golden years. For decades, humans have known the healing benefits of physical therapy. Today, rehabilitation techniques are emerging as a new standard in best animal care programs in zoos around the country, and Woodland Park Zoo is at the forefront of providing thisspecialized care .  Meet Emma, a 13-year-old English spot rabbit. Emma has enjoyed an illustrious 11-year career as an ambassador animal at Woodland Park Zoo. Emma has been a special presence fo...

Posted by: Alissa Wolken, Communications Woodland Park Zoo celebrated its third Chilean flamingo hatching this year on Monday, August 22, 2016. Abandoned as an egg, the chick is being cared for by a dedicated team of zookeepers and animal health staff who are hand-raising the chick behind the scenes. This flamingo chick is being reared by zookeepers until it can rejoin the flock. Photo: John Loughlin/Woodland Park Zoo. Tiny leg lifts! Photo: John Loughlin/Woodland Park Zoo. The flamingo chick is currently fed up to five times a day and is learning to follow its zookeepers as they take it on exercise walks. Once the chick is old enough to eat on its own, in about 30-45 days, it will begin to join the rest of the flock in the flamingo exhibit. Video: Flamingo chick plays follow-the-leader.  In addition to the hand-reared chick, two other chicks are currently being parent-reared in the colony. A total of 14 chicks have hatched since the exhibit opened in 2008....

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. Nearly three weeks old now, our little porcupine baby is making bolder choices during outdoor adventures. Porcupines are natural climbers and the porcupette's instincts drive it to scamper up each mound, log and tree root it spots. Sometimes we need to be there with a helping hand. A heavily gloved helping hand. Video: Tiny Baby Porcupine Needs a Helping Hand Because a baby porcupine tumble-and-rescue needs to be watched on infinite loop, here's that moment again: Don't worry, little one. Gravity always gets me down too. Though the porcupette is brave when exploring, it's also perfectly content to stay in its den for as much as possible. That's where it nurses with mom in the evening and the darker coziness appeals to these primarily nocturnal animals. Its time outside can be pretty irregular but lucky trekkers through the Northern Trail might spot this littl...

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor with Jennifer Pramuk, PhD, Curator Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. Little bigger than a penny, a flowerback box turtle hatched at Woodland Park Zoo on May 7, 2016. This is the third hatching success of this critically endangered species at the zoo, each one a triumph in the fight against extinction. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. The common name for this turtle refers to the beautiful colors and ornate designs on its carapace. Native to China, Vietnam and Laos, it is endangered because it is desired as an ingredient in some traditional medicines and for the pet trade. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo. Turtles have been around for 220 million years and survived the massive extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs. Yet these ancient survivors are now going extinct faster than any other group of terrestrial vertebrates. Almost 50% of known turtle species are listed as threatened with ex...