Woodland Park Zoo Blog

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, communications  with Gypsy Darrow, educator at Kent Public Schools Connecting people with their love for animals occupies the core of who we are. Woodland Park Zoo serves the diverse communities of Seattle and King County through an inclusive approach to lifelong learning. We are dedicated to making our programs accessible and relevant for all community members. Our wide range of initiatives and outreach programs provide opportunities to learn about and connect with animals. While many of our visitors come from all over the country (and even the world) to adventure through our 92 acres—it is our honor and privilege to also serve our local schools and learning programs. The zoo’s Learning and Innovation department works with educators from around Puget Sound to introduce their classrooms to endangered species, dive into conservation actions, wander our pathways and explore our biomes. For many kids, a field trip to Woodland Park Zoo is not only

Posted by Gigi Allianic, communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren Woodland Park Zoo’s baby male giraffe has been outfitted with custom-made therapeutic shoes in the next phase of treatment of his rear leg abnormalities. The baby stands next to mom, Olivia, in the giraffe barn after the team outfitted him with new therapeutic shoes and casts. The baby was born on May 2 to mom Olivia. Hours after his birth, the zoo’s animal health team radiographed his rear legs after noticing each rear foot was not in normal alignment. “The condition is known as hyperextended fetlocks. It is well documented in horses and has been reported to occur in giraffes,” says Dr. Tim Storms, associate veterinarian at Woodland Park Zoo. One day after the giraffe was born, the zoo’s animal health team applied casts on both rear legs to help stabilize his limbs.  After consultations of medical literature and colleagues at other zoos, the zoo’s exhibits team was called in to help. The talen

Posted by Gigi Allianic, communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Woodland Park Zoo On May 2, Olivia, gave birth to a male giraffe. Less than 12 hours after his birth, the zoo’s animal health team intervened to radiograph and diagnose abnormalities found in his rear legs.  The little giraffe already has the entire zoo rallying for him. The baby giraffe was on his feet and walking within an hour after he was born. “However, we noticed right away that each rear foot was not in normal alignment, a condition known as hyperextended fetlocks,” says Dr. Darin Collins, director of animal health at Woodland Park Zoo. “We have applied casts on both rear legs to help heal the tendons, which is the current best practice in treating this condition in newborns. Treatment will most likely span over several months. The baby is in guarded condition and we will continue to monitor him closely.” This condition is found in horses and has been reported to occur in giraffes, explains Colli

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo has a new baby giraffe! Olivia, 12 years old, gave birth today on May 2 at 4:56 a.m. The baby giraffe is a boy! Olivia with her newborn at just a few hours old on May 2, 2019. Mom and calf are off view in the giraffe barn to allow a cozy, quiet environment for maternal bonding and nursing. “The baby was on his feet within an hour after he was born, which is what we want to see,” says Katie Ahl, a lead keeper at Woodland Park Zoo. “The first 24 to 72 hours are critical for newborn giraffes. A healthy infant should begin nursing shortly after birth and be able to run around with its mom several hours later. Olivia is an experienced mother and she’s showing good maternal behavior for her second baby.” While the baby is standing and nursing, he’s not walking normally on his rear legs, notes Dr. Tim Storms, associate veterinarian at Woodland Park Zoo. “This condition c

Posted by Kirsten Pisto, Communications Love your mother! As Mother Day approaches, we're going to help you out with a few ways to show your love. Whether you are shopping for your mom, your grandma, your sister, your bestie or yourself — we've got some gift ideas fit for any queen. ZOO MEMBERSHIP You know what all moms love? Time with you! Pick up a Woodland Park Zoo membership for your mom and she'll think of you each time she visits the zoo, plus with visitor passes, she'll be able to bring you along! It's the Mother's Day gift that lasts all year, supports conservation and connects mom with the animals she loves most (besides you of course). Purchase a membership today:  https://www.zoo.org/membership A DELICIOUS EVENING This tawny frogmouth mama knows what’s best for her chicks' palates. WildBites will win your mom over too! Treat her to an evening of delicious bites and fabulous cocktails on September 6. Get your tickets today: 

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Editor's note: Elizabeth works in the content and creative team here at Woodland Park Zoo, so you've probably read her work in MyZoo magazine, on this very blog and many places between. She is a self-described bird nerd, a passionate animal protector and she holds an M.A. in Biology from our Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP ) with Miami University. Elizabeth recently traveled to Kenya with several zoo colleagues to witness firsthand the conservation work she so loves. We are eager to share her experience: A male lion in Kenya's Maasai Mara reserve. Photo: Elizabeth Bacher When people ask why I work at Woodland Park Zoo, the answer is easy. It’s the mission. I’m passionate about conservation and I’m fortunate to work at a place where that view is widely valued, supported and shared. Recently, I was lucky enough to travel to Kenya with several zoo colleagues who share a passion for that mission—animal keepers, educators, do

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications Written by Stephanie Payne, gorilla keeper Note from the Editor: It’s time for an update on Woodland Park Zoo’s gorilla family. Beginning on Tuesday, April 23, our eight western lowland gorillas will be off public view for a few weeks to accommodate some improvements to their exhibit areas. While you might not be able to see them from the public viewing areas, a lot has been going on behind the scenes. Animal keeper Stephanie Payne brings us up to speed on relationship dynamics within the group and what the future might hold for them. Uzumma enjoys a snack while surveying the view from above. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo Spring is in the air for the gorillas! Whether it’s seeing Vip lying in the sun, Akenji tearing apart the barberry in order to get to their blooms, or Uzumma enjoying the view from the highest perches of the climbing structures in her habitat, it is clear that we’re all enjoying the warmer te