Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo "Hello down there!" The view from the top of the trees in the east gorilla yard includes the Olympic range and the top of Space Needle. On behalf of our gorilla keepers and the gorillas themselves, we’d like to send a heartfelt thank you and shout-out of gratitude to our AMAZING Exhibits team! This talented crew has spent nearly a month refreshing the structures in the east yard where western lowland gorilla Kwame and his family spend much of their time. (The gorillas spent time in their indoor and outdoor behind the scenes areas while the Exhibits team worked their magic.) The exhibit refresh included repairing and repainting two huge trees (25 and 30 feet tall), restringing hundreds of feet of vines and installing new hammocks for the gorillas to lounge on. On the left, a member of our Exhibits crew works on a platform supported by special scaffolding to put the finishing touches on...

Posted by Stephen Reed and Meghan Sawyer, Communications This has been a year of many challenges and changes—and for some that also has meant some hardship, separation and even loss. Still, there is much to be thankful for. We have been inspired by kids from our community who have found creative and thoughtful ways to safely reach out with kindness, spread joy and show they care for animals and for people.  Mia and her friends have a safe, socially-distanced meet-up at the zoo! Photo: Courtesy of Mia's family. MIA Nine-year-old Mia really likes the animals and the people at Woodland Park Zoo—and before the pandemic, she used to go there on a bus to meet up with and visit friends. In the spring, when quarantine started, Mia was only able to see classmates and teammates on video screens.  When they were unable to visit in person, Mia left animal-inspired care packages for her friends with t-shirts and coloring sheets. Photo: Courtesy of Mia's family As a way to reach out and get...

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications ZooCorps volunteer Paul Houser, Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/WPZ Let's begin with a quote from William James, "Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does." When it comes to our dedicated volunteers, we could not find a truer sentiment. This National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, we'd like to acknowledge the  750+  Woodland Park Zoo volunteers who help our zoo shine. From their devotion to the zoo's animal care mission, to their passion for protecting wildlife and wild places—our  volunteers offer a host of wisdom, kindness and patience that inspires our guests and instills in our community a sense of wonder and gratitude.  Alycia Moncrieff assists the horticulture team in the Tropical Rain Forest. Photo by Dennis Dow/WPZ. Volunteers range in age from 12 to 94, and come from all over the place—some commute as far as Kennewick, WA .  From ZooCorps to Counselors in training to docent...

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications Each Thanksgiving season we try our best to put into words just how grateful we are for your friendship and support. With your passion for saving wildlife and wild spaces, with your generous support in providing the most nutritious diets and state-of-the-art animal health care, and most of all your love for each and every creature here at the zoo—we are incredibly lucky to call you our zoo family. If we could invite you all to a Thanksgiving feast we would, but unfortunately the animals might get grumpy if we start sharing their grub. Instead, here is a little Thanksgiving-inspired fun to share with your loved ones. This holiday, know we are thinking of you and sending you love from the zoo. Stay cozy and enjoy your pie! Here are 10 ways to give thanks (like an animal): Whether it is a tasty fish or a pumpkin pie, give thanks for a full belly. Be thankful for family, young and old (and everyone in between). ...

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications Photos by: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Thanksgiving is a time for tradition—too much turkey, small talk with long-lost relatives, football jitters and holiday traffic jams—but we’re here to help you break convention and show your wild side. Take a cue from the animals and enjoy Thanksgiving like a beast! 1. Forage together In the wild, meerkats take turns foraging for small lizards, insects, birds and fruit while one or two of them act as a sentry and keep a lookout for predators. At the zoo, our meerkat mob dines on a variety of kibble, vegetables, crickets, mealworms, mice, fish and a carnivore meat diet. Tip from the meerkats: Holiday grocery shopping can be grueling, but not when you’ve got accomplices! Plan to visit the market with your own mob (a few close friends or family members). Divide your list and conquer the masses together. Then celebrate with a cricket pie. Hey, it’s protein! 2. Hoard your cache ...