Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications We have some sad news to share: Our long-time resident Simon the siamang was humanely euthanized yesterday, Monday, Dec. 15, after showing signs of declining health related to long-term chronic illness. Simon was 34 years old. Simon, photo by Dennis Dow, Woodland Park Zoo. Mammal curator Martin Ramirez remembers our operatic little dude. “Simon was a favorite of zoo guests and staff for the interest he showed in anyone who came to visit him. To the delight of our visitors, Simon would often leap from a branch in the back of his exhibit to the window sill to be closer to them.  His routine early morning calls were as much a part of the zoo opening as the daily PA announcement. His hoots could be heard across the zoo, even as he began to have trouble with the high notes.  He will be missed even by those who only knew him by his voice.” Simon was hand raised until he moved to Woodland Park Zoo at 2 years old in 1982. He really enjoye

Posted by: Gigi Allianic, Communications They may not be as well-known by the 180 million people who visit Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos and aquariums each year, but desert pupfish , freshwater mussels , and Polynesian tree snails play important roles in their respective ecosystems. If not for the hard work of AZA-accredited institutions and their conservation partners, some of these and many other animals would already have vanished from the planet. With a growing number of human-influenced threats threatening animals around the world, including poaching, deforestation, and an expanding population that already exceeds 7 billion people, we are facing what some scientists call the “Sixth Extinction.” The 228 accredited members of AZA continue to build upon their history and expertise of saving endangered species such as breeding programs that coordinate across many institutions to ensure healthy genetic and demographic diversity and partnerships with loc

Posted by: Stacey Hammond, Education The ZooCrew middle school outreach program is back in action this fall at Asa Mercer International Middle School, Washington Middle School, Seattle World School, and McClure Middle School. This quarter, ZooCrew participants learned about issues facing the animals of the African savanna. The participants designed their own projects to take action on these issues, raising awareness and advocating for the animals. Check out some of the projects from this quarter! Waterhole Restoration Project: bringing awareness to issues around waterholes in the African savanna and highlighting a resource for people to learn more about the issues and projects happening. Video created by Ava, Isobel, Tracey, Malia . Michael from Seattle World School chose to write about the Waterhole Restoration Project and bring awareness to the issue of resource depletion and how it affects animals. In his blog post, he explains what people can do to get involved with h

Posted by: Kirsten Pisto, Communications Attention TGIFers: Here is your update on the most adorable trio in Seattle. Our wriggly little lion cubs aced their 6-week exams this morning. Zoo veterinarians gave the energetic cublets a clean bill of health and good marks on their growth milestones. The routine wellness exam included blood draws, vaccinations, weigh-ins and an overall health assessment for the three boys. The cubs were a bit suspicious of the stethoscope, but all in all they were very calm during their exam. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Woodland Park Zoo. Throughout the exam the cubs were pretty quiet with a few occasional little growls. Their keepers were by their side at all times to reassure them. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Woodland Park Zoo. The cubs currently weigh between 15 and 17 pounds, which means they are getting plenty of mom’s milk and are growing quickly. The smallest cub is also the feistiest, just in case you were curious.  “We’re very pleased to rep

Posted by: Julie Ann Barowski, Volunteer Program Coordinator Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Today is International Volunteer Day, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate Woodland Park Zoo volunteers! More than 1,000 individuals generously donate their time in a variety of ways every year, and we are so appreciative and proud of all the amazing work they do! Photo by Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo. Whether you visit during the day or an evening event like WildLights , you’ll surely encounter some of our wonderful volunteers. They offer a friendly smile, interesting animal info and stories, maps and directions, and whatever assistance you may need. Maybe you’ve had a zoo volunteer come to the rescue of a skinned knee with a cool zebra-striped bandage. Perhaps a volunteer has taught your family just how a goat likes to be petted, or offered you the chance to touch a snake for the first time. Even if you haven’t yet met a zoo volunteer in person, their hard w

For what do we give thanks during the holidays at Woodland Park Zoo? FOOD : We love a filling meal and our animals do too! Did you know that the zoo goes through more than 15,600 pounds of food each year to feed over 300 species of animals? FAMILY : You are our family, along with more than 1,000 animals, 1,000 volunteers, 3,000 donors, 43,000 member households and 400 staff.   GIVING : Giving feels good, as does giving thanks.    Will you join us in sharing these simple ideals this Giving Tuesday by helping us raise $30,000 today? If you make a gift today , a generous group of donors will match it dollar for dollar (up to $15,000), doubling your impact! We give thanks for every contribution, of any size. Your gift will help provide vitamin-packed meals and tasty treats this winter! As but a few examples: $15 could feed red panda Steller biscuits, bamboo and fruit $25 could feed gray wolf Doba whole chicken and rabbit $40 could feed snow leopard Helen chicke

Posted by: Caileigh Robertson, Communications Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. Three weeks ago on November 7, our pair of great argus welcomed a healthy chick. The baby bird tipped the scales at 48 grams, just a little heavier than a golf ball, and has steadily gained weight since. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. To increase the chick’s chance of survival, keepers are hand rearing it behind the scenes in the comforts of a warm, secure den. Soft, feathery items—like the feather duster pictured below—are added to the den to comfort the young pheasant and to familiarize it with the feeling of family. A feather duster is used to provide comfort to the hand-raised chick. Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. The argus chick is a symbol of hope for this vulnerable species native to Southeast Asia. As part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), Woodland Park Zoo’s successful argus breeding program helps ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population that’s genetic