Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Who doesn't love a frog? From Kermit to the to aural symphony provided each spring by peepers and chorus frogs, frogs play an important role in the environment. In honor of frogs and our other amphibian friends, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the accrediting body for more than 210 zoos and aquariums around the U.S., has declared 2008 the Year of the Frog. Globally, amphibians are in decline due to habitat loss, pollution and the deadly effects of the chytrid fungus, a fungus that kills the majority of animals it infects. Local frog populations are now beginning to see the effects of chytrid. Woodland Park Zoo, in association with the Alliance of Zoos & Aquariums, a Northwest regional consortium of zoos and aquariums, and the Washington Fish & Wildlife Department, are banding together to help in a recovery project for the Oregon spotted frog, a native species which has declined significantly in 78 percent of its historic range from southern B.C. to northern Califor

The black-and-white colobus monkeys on exhibit in our Tropical Rain Forest area have received some additional exhibit-mates and so now five colobus make the spot their home. Last week brought introductions to each other. Many species of monkeys are highly social but highly territorial and hierarchical so careful introductions are vital to incorporating new members into the group. Soon the new members were exploring the exhibit and getting their social nuances worked out. Colobus are native across equitorial Africa and are known for their dramatic black coats with flowing white hair. The name "colobus" is derived from the Greek word meaning "docked" or "mutilated." Colobus monkeys once were thought to be abnormal because they have no thumb, or only a small stub where the thumb would usually be. This is actually an adaptation rather than a mutilation which allows colobus monkeys to easily travel along the tops of branches quadripedally. (Photo by Dennis Dow)

This is the 25th year for Woodland Park Zoo's annual concert series, ZooTunes, sponsored by the folks at WaMu and presented by Carter Subaru. Twenty-five years---a whole generation!---of families have been enjoying the concerts which started with a few local acts and has blossomed into notable performing artists. This year, 10 concerts will be presented with the kick-off double-concerts featuring Keb' Mo' and Taj Mahal on June 24 and June 25. Other longtime favorites include Emmylou Harris and some newer artists including Andrew Bird, Amos Lee and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Ticket sale proceeds go to help fund the zoo's operations including education programs and conservation. Tickets go on sale on May 5 at Metropolitan Markets and here at the zoo (and on Ticketweb.com for those outside the immediate area). We hope to see you on the zoo's North Meadow!! Visit the WaMu ZooTunes website for the complete line up!

You know how rough your cat's tongue is when it licks your hand? Imagine that magnified on a grand scale with the tongue of a lion! Jake, our 17-year-old male lion went under anesthetic last week to get a full physical exam. Our veterinary health team gave him the once over to see how this elderly fellow was doing (they generally can live up to about 20 years in captivity and around 16 in the wild). One of the amazing aspects that one sees are the rows and rows of hooked appendages on their tongue. Called papillae, they are located at the tongue’s center. Papillae form backward-facing hooks containing large amounts of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails. These hooks provide the abrasiveness a cat needs for self-grooming. The strength of these hooks also helps a cat hold food or struggle with prey and are great for licking meat off the bone.

The newly named baby gorilla is getting more and more active with each passing day. Mother Amanda, always cautious, seems to be allowing her more latitude as she begins to explore the exhibit and interact with her sister Calaya and groupmate Jumoke. But actions speak louder than words so here's a video of the bundle of energy as she plays. (Photo by Dennis Dow; video by Ryan Hawk)

Despite the cold and rainy weather (and discounting the freaky 80 degree Saturday we just had thrown in to tease us), spring is thundering its way back at the zoo. Our intrepid Horticulture crew has been busy planting, mulching and making way for all the new growth and the impending explosion of blooms. Here are just a couple shots from volunteer photographer Mat Hayward of the signs of spring on grounds. Here also is a link to a listing of some of the things that will be in bloom: http://www.zoo.org/zoo_careers/horticulture.html

Anyone who is a fan of these elegant and colorful birds is anticipating their return to the zoo after nearly 15 years. On May 24, our new Chilean flamingo exhibit will open and avian fans will flock to see these brilliant birds. Although these birds are directly threatened with extinction, like many species of birds, they are prone to the actions of humans that are beginning to have devastating effects on their habitats in Chile. We will teach, through signs, talks and interactive elements how our actions, even here far to the north in Seattle, can have lasting impact on these birds. Here are a couple shots of the progress on the new exhibit which will feature a wading pond, a viewing boardwalk for visitors, and a meandering path. Nearby, other animals native to the flamingos' range will be exhibited nearby including the southern pudu and coscoroba swans. Hope to see you on May 24 for opening day festivities!! (Photos by Ryan Hawk)