Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by: Jona Jacobson, Field Conservation When it comes to conservation, it takes a village. Just ask the villagers of Tapoh, Thailand. To help protect hornbills from poaching and deforestation, the Hornbill Research Foundation (HRF) in Thailand—a Woodland Park Zoo Partner for Wildlife—has been working closely with Tapoh villagers in the Narathiwat Province in southern Thailand to transition them into stewards of their own wildlife. The HRF employs local villagers and former poachers as nest guardians—guarding not only naturally occurring nests, but also constructing, installing and guarding artificial nests. Guarding nests is especially important because hornbills tend to nest in large-diameter trees, which, unfortunately, are the same type of trees that are felled to clear the land for agriculture or wood products. There’s good reason for the people of Tapoh to protect hornbills and their nesting sites: hornbills are seed dispersers, essential to the health of the forests upon w

Posted by E.J. Hook, Facility Operations Supervisor The famed Woodland Park Rose Garden, noted as one of 24 All-America Rose Selection Test Garden, has been a favorite local spot since it opened in 1924. Now, thanks to funding provided by the Seattle Garden Club and Committee of 33, a new pergola is gracing the south end of the garden. The pergola restores the traditional symmetry and north-south views to the landscape. Constructed with wrought-iron and stone pillars designed to match the existing fence that surrounds the garden, the pergola will provide the capacity to grow varieties of climbing roses. Horizontal wooden slats from salvaged lumber will create an open "roof", providing further structure for roses. Built-in benches inside will allow visitors the ability to enjoy a view of the garden filtered through a canopy of flowering rose blossoms. Construction is nearly complete and roses will soon thereafter begin to be planted. Another new addition to the garden, less ob

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications Big news here at Woodland Park Zoo... We are thrilled to announce  that Woodland Park Zoo’s Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program has helped preserve 187,800 acres of pristine forest habitat with Papua New Guinea’s first ever Conservation Area. That’s an area the size of all five NYC boroughs combined! After 12 years of work, Woodland Park Zoo and partner Conservation International have reached agreement with Papua New Guinea land owners and government to establish the YUS Conservation Area, named for the region’s three rivers, the Yopno, Uruwa and Som. The area will protect thousands of species—including the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo —and some of the most critically diverse habitat on the planet. Though the nation has declared protected areas in the past, this is the first of its kind to prohibit all hunting, mining, logging and development—a new level of commitment to conservation a decade in the making for the people of Papua New

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications With most of the penguin exhibit construction out of the way, our exhibit fabrication team is now shifting focus to adding the details that make the exhibit feel truly immersive. A 2-ton anchor was dropped into the exhibit space yesterday to add a visual cue that the exhibit takes you from the penguin-filled shoreline of Punta San Juan, Peru to the underwater ecosystem where penguins find their food. Underwater viewing "bubbles" in the new penguin exhibit Here you'll also learn about the commercial overfishing of anchovies--penguins' favorite food--and how some conservationists believe changing our food habits can help save the endangered Humboldt penguin species. You see, anchovies are primarily overfished to be ground down and used as farm feed. To encourage Peruvian fisheries to harvest fewer anchovies, consumers would need to create a profitable market for anchovies beyond their current, wasteful use as feed for farms. B

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications Come to Woodland Park Zoo this Valentine's Day to see these sweethearts with your sweetheart: And after you visit the ocelots, be sure to check out the special Valentine's Day treats for zoo animals, 10 am - 2 pm, with herbal bouquets, heart-shaped steaks, heart-shaped ice pops made of fruit juice, honey, strawberries and cranberries, and more! Enrichment schedule: Golden lion tamarins - 10:00 a.m. Tropical Rain Forest, Indoors Snow leopards - 10:30 a.m. Australasia Otters - 10:30 a.m. Taiga Viewing Shelter, Northern Trail Orangutans - 11:00 a.m. Trail of Vines, Indoor viewing shelter Goats and Pigs - 11:00 a.m. Family Farm Willawong Station birds - 11:30 a.m. Australasia Sloth bear - 11:30 a.m. Adaptations Jaguar - 1:00 p.m. Tropical Rain Forest, Outdoors Gorillas - 1:20 p.m. Tropical Rain Forest, West and East Shelters Lemurs - 1:30 p.m. Tropical Rain Forest, Outdoors Keas - 1:30 p.m. Australasia Tiger - 2:00 p.m. Adaptations Elephan

Posted by: Ric Brewer, Communications A woman recently contacted the zoo to say that her daughter, Alanna, would be turning 13 on Friday the 13th. One of the tasks given to Alanna to accomplish on her birthday was to get photos she had taken at the zoo published. Well this Friday the 13th is your lucky day, Alanna. We thought no better spot than the zoo blog to show her creative streak and no better way to wish Alanna a very happy birthday!

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications The time has finally come... The ocelot kittens are out on public view! Want to see Novia and Corisandra climbing and jumping around for yourself? Aim to visit the Tropical Rain Forest building around 2-3 pm when they are typically at their most active. Of course, viewing hours may vary as the young cats adjust to their new surroundings. If you'll remember, the mother and kittens (pictured together above) have remained off public exhibit since birth to allow for continued nursing and bonding in a quiet environment. In preparation for the kittens’ move to the public exhibit, zookeepers have helped promote the necessary motor and exploratory skills for proper growth and development through off-exhibit climbing structures and a variety of enrichment activities. Judging from how well they move around the exhibit now, that early enrichment sure has paid off! Photos by Ryan Hawk.