Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by: Kate Neville, Corporate and Foundation Gifts Officer Photos by Kate Neville/Woodland Park Zoo I slouch lower in the boat and pull my hat further down over my face. It’s hot. The relentless tropical sun sends rivers of sweat down my neck…and we still have several hours to go before reaching our destination. This boat ride is the last leg of a two-day journey from Lae to the village of Ronji, a remote community in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province. My traveling companions are Woodland Park Zoo's  Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program Director Dr. Lisa Dabek, and TKCP staff members Benjamin Sipa, Karau Kuna and Mikal Nolan. We’re traveling to the coastal village of Ronji to participate in a ceremony celebrating the community’s new bridge and field office. TKCP helped construct the bridge and office at the community’s request, thanks to support from Conservation International, the German Development Bank and Woodland Park Zoo. I glance back to the stern, where the captain

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications At last count, more than 260 babies were born at Woodland Park Zoo in 2013, and hey, there’s still a few hours left in the year! We may have had our hands full of cubs, chicks, pups and kits, but the year was also marked by many other new additions: from a new exhibit that transformed the oldest part of the zoo, to new conservation programs that fight for a future for wildlife. Let’s take a look at the Top 13 zoo stories of 2013 that made us smile, made us care, and made us act to make a difference: 13.  Living with bears Bears want cake. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Picnics aren't just for Yogi Bear—here in the Pacific Northwest, you may truly encounter a bear while hiking, picnicking or camping in the great outdoors, and sometimes even in your own backyard. What do you when a bear crashes your barbecue? Better yet, how can you make sure the bear never gets invited in the first place? With the help of destructi

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications Photo by Instagram user coachcarr For zoo members who are truly kids at heart, we have the best WildLights deal yet! From Dec. 31 – Jan. 4, adult zoo members will be admitted to WildLights presented by KeyBank at the kids’ price, just $6.50 per person. (Offer only available for at-gate purchase with member ID; not available online.) See why WildLights brings out the kid in all of us! Photo by Instagram user guerralandia This kid-at-heart discount is offered just in time to celebrate Zoo Year’s Eve  at WildLights. On Dec. 31, join Radio Disney Seattle at WildLights for entertainment, games, crafts, prizes, music, and a fun way to ring in the Zoo Year with the whole family. We’ll celebrate the new year at 7:00 p.m. so even the youngest among us has a chance to join in! PLUS: the first 200 kids through the door get a free party hat.

Posted by: Deborah Jensen, President and CEO The holidays are a time to reflect on the wonders the year has brought us. All of us thank you for your generosity which has made Woodland Park Zoo's mission possible. Your support is the gift that keeps on giving, generation after generation. VIDEO: Happy holidays from Woodland Park Zoo We wish you the best for 2014, and hope you enjoy this short video highlighting some of the wonders you've helped us achieve. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo Share the joy of the season with your loved ones— send a free Woodland Park Zoo holiday e-card . Browse the designs to get started on your paper-free cards.

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications Happy Birthday, Randhir and Kushali! Our twin sloth bear cubs, born a year ago December 18 th , celebrated their 1 st birthday with shiny piñatas! Sloth bear cubs reach for their birthday piñatas! Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo.  Sloth bear birthday enrichment! Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Keepers filled three piñatas (including one for the cubs’ mom, Tasha) with meal worms and dried tropical fruits such as papayas and mangos. The piñatas were hung from the logs in the sloth bear exhibit just high enough that the bears had to resort to some pretty acrobatic moves to reach them. There was a lot of excitement, including a boxing match between one cub and a stubborn green piñata. After the cubs and mom knocked their piñatas to the ground, they were quick to tear open their presents and snuffle up their birthday treats!    Staring longingly at a piñata is not always a bad tactic. Photo by Ryan Ha

Posted by: Caileigh Robertson, Communications ‘Twas a celebration of winter, and all through the zoo every creature was stirring (especially the ‘roos)! Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Giant light bulbs were strung above the gray wolves with care, in hopes that treats would fall for all four wolves to share. Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo In the Bamboo Forest Reserve, a small-clawed otter climbed upstream. Awaiting it at the top was a giant fir tree! Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo And Priscilla, the anoa, was given a tasty green wreath, which she nibbled on—so gently—with her two front teeth. Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo When in Jaguar Cove arose a bright, white treat, disguised as a snowman, three hungry jaguars dug into juicy meat! Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo Don’t worry, zoo fans. You haven’t missed out! We have more