Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is preparing to say goodbye to three snow leopards born at the zoo in May 2024, as they’ve now matured enough to begin their separate journeys. Lenny, Phyllis and Raya were born under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan , a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species. The cubs are nearly 2 years old now—an age when they would naturally separate from their mother. They are now able to move to different zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to continue to be ambassadors for their species by inspiring visitors to take impactful action to help save these beautiful cats in their natural range. A cuddle puddle of siblings  Lenny, Phyllis and Raya back in December 2024.  Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Guests are encouraged to come say their final "furwells" by Apri...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Beautiful Helen — mother, grandmother and matriarch of Woodland Park Zoo's snow leopards. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is mourning the passing of snow leopard Helen, its 20-year-old matriarch and grandmother to three cubs born exactly one year ago and currently living at the zoo. Helen was humanely euthanized today due to declining health at her advanced age. She was diagnosed two years ago with kidney disease, which is not uncommon in geriatric animals, especially felines. “For the past couple of years, we have been treating Helen for kidney disease, which we were able to diagnose because her caretakers successfully trained her to allow veterinary technicians to collect blood samples from her tail while receiving treats. After we determined that her kidneys were failing, we were able to follow the progression of her blood values and treat her with intermittent fluid supplementation for a long period of tim...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Three snow leopard cubs born at Woodland Park Zoo now have names! Their names are Lenny, Phyllis and Raya. Lenny, male, and Phyllis, female, were named by special friends of the zoo; Raya (RYE-uh), female, was named by Woodland Park Zoo animal keepers. The three cubs have been busy exploring and getting familiar with the public habitat and can now be seen by guests! The best chance to catch a glimpse of these cuties is daily between 9:30 a.m. and noon. The cubs were born on Memorial Day to mom Marai, 7, and dad Aibek, 6. This is their first litter of cubs after they were paired under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species. Since snow leopards are solitary animals in the wild, the cubs’ father and grandmother Helen are housed separately. Guests can see either Aibek and Helen, 19...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Three snow leopard cubs born at Woodland Park Zoo on Memorial Day continue to grow and have now opened their eyes. The cubs recently underwent their neonate exam where it was learned there is one male cub and two females. All three cubs are healthy, active and becoming cuter each day. The cubs were born to mom Marai, 7, and dad Aibek, 6. This is their first litter of cubs after they were paired under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan , a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species. The mom and cubs remain in an off-view maternity den to allow bonding and proper nursing in a quieter setting. Zoo staff closely watch the mother and cubs on a den camera to watch for normal behaviors. It will be several more weeks before the cubs are introduced to the outdoor, on-view exhibit. Since snow leopards are solitary animals in t...

Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications Woodland Park Zoo is seeing spots after three snow leopard cubs were born on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024. These are the first snow leopard cubs to be born at the zoo since a single cub, Aibek, was born in 2017.  Marai with her newborn cubs on the cub cam, Woodland Park Zoo The cubs were born to parents Marai, 7, and Aibek, 6. This is their first litter of cubs after they were paired under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan , a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species. The mom and cubs are currently in an off-view maternity den to allow bonding and proper nursing in a quieter setting. Zoo staff closely watch the mother and cub on a den camera to watch for normal behaviors. It will be at least a couple months before the cubs are introduced to the outdoor, on-view exhibit. “As a first-time mom, Marai has amazed us with the level of care she's been giving her cub...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Dhirin had a calm, sweet and sometimes aloof disposition. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo We are mourning the loss of our male snow leopard, Dhirin (pronounced DIH-dihn). The 17-year-old cat was humanely euthanized on January 17, following serious respiratory issues in addition to severe worsening of symptoms caused by kidney failure. The life expectancy for snow leopards in zoos is 17 to 19 years old. According to the Snow Leopard Trust , life in the wild is much harder, so the life expectancy of snow leopards in their natural habitat is more likely to be 10 to 12 years. According to Dr. Tim Storms, director of animal health at Woodland Park Zoo, the geriatric snow leopard had been diagnosed with renal disease more than a year ago, and the animal health team had been tracking the progression with trained blood collection and urinalyses. “In the last two weeks Dhirin had worsened quite dramatically, with changes in his respiratory pattern, es...

 Posted by Meghan Sawyer, Communications Snow leopard at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. Snow leopards were once considered the kings of the mountains, but this majestic cat is considered globally vulnerable to extinction. Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan (SLFK), supported by Woodland Park Zoo, is working to protect this vulnerable species—and they’re getting help from kids to do it! The elusive and powerful snow leopard evolved to survive the harshest conditions on the planet: high, rugged and snow-covered mountains with sky-high elevations—but human-wildlife conflict is endangering snow leopards’ survival. SLFK led in-person eco-camps in the Shamshy Valley of Kyrgyzstan this summer, teaching local students about not only snow leopards and how to protect them, but also about nature and conservation for all local species. SLFK’s eco camps were launched in 2018 with eight students in attendance. After a two-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic, the...

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Meet Marai! Photo by Elena Mavros, @greekgal.esm via Instagram You may have noticed a new furry face—plus some new spots, paws and a long tail—at the snow leopard exhibit over the past few months. Say hello to Marai. This 2-year-old female was born at Los Angeles Zoo in 2017 and arrived here at Woodland Park Zoo earlier this year.  Marai is sweet, sociable with her keepers and likes knuckle bones! Photo by Elena Mavros, @greekgal.esm via Instagram While she’s not quite mature enough to breed yet, it is hoped that Marai will eventually pair up with Aibek , who is her same age and was born here in 2017. The Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), a conservation breeding program for endangered animals at accredited zoos, has matched these two cats as a recommended breeding pair in another year or so. Other than making adorable cubs, the goal of SSP programs like this is to increase the genetic diversity and health of spec...

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications Love your mother! As Mother Day approaches, we're going to help you out with a few ways to show your love. Whether you are shopping for your mom, your grandma, your sister, your bestie or yourself — we've got some gift ideas fit for any queen. ZOO MEMBERSHIP You know what all moms love? Time with you! Pick up a Woodland Park Zoo membership for your mom and she'll think of you each time she visits the zoo, plus with visitor passes, she'll be able to bring you along! It's the Mother's Day gift that lasts all year, supports conservation and connects mom with the animals she loves most (besides you of course). Purchase a membership today:  https://www.zoo.org/membership A DELICIOUS EVENING This tawny frogmouth mama knows what’s best for her chicks' palates. WildBites will win your mom over too! Treat her to an evening of delicious bites and fabulous cocktails on September 6. Get your tickets today:  ...