The Zoo’s 2002 Master Plan proposed a new Hippo exhibit with a larger holding area, land space, underwater viewing and a much more sustainable filtered water system. It would have been located approximately where the current giraffe holding building and yards are, so they would have to be relocated first. Obviously, funding priorities (and realities) have changed since then. it’s too bad—the original concept and execution of the current hippo exhibit as part of the Savanna complex was brilliant.
I don't think they should change that area of the zoo at all to be perfectly honest. A new giraffe barn/yard would be nice as they have the room for it and the weather is rarely good enough for them to be on safari. Bringing back the wild dogs would be appreciated. Most of all I have long dreamt of them linking the Savannah and gorilla areas by finishing the path between them, thats where they could improve the africa area IMO by adding congo species (mandrill, duiker, okapi)...
The zoo has announced some temporary closures due to coronavirus concerns. All indoor buildings are closed until concerns are lifted. The zoo will remain open, but things may vary. Updates are at zoo.org/health
Im not surprised, all nonessential city workers were sent home at least through march today, following most big tech companies... This thing has been spreading here just like in Europe, only difference is we are just now getting some test kits so the cases are going to skyrocket as the scope comes into focus. Its been slowly coming to a halt in the Seattle area over the past few days, downtown is eerily empty. I wouldn't be surprised if these restrictions get a whole lot stricter as we follow in Italy's steps. We are woefully unprepared in this country for a pandemic.
The zoo has announced that they will close tomorrow and remain closed through at least March 31. Only necessary staff will be working onsite.
Ulan, the Malayan tapir is pregnant and due to between April and June, the father is Bintang. 2 Humboldt penguin chicks hatched, the first on April 3rd to Rosie and Leo and the second on April 6th. The zoo had the first birth of red rumped agoutis in all the history of the zoo on March 18th to mother Nutella and father John Agouti. The pups are 2 of unknown sex. On March 20th, a new male jaguar named Fitz arrived from Houston Zoo.
The male Gorilla, born to parents Kwame and Uzumma on March 4, has been named Kitoko (beautiful or handsome in the African languages, Lingala and Kikongo). Woodland Park Zoo announces name of newest baby gorilla
Scaly-sided Mergansers have hatched for the first time. Rare endangered ducklings hatch at Woodland Park Zoo
A male Pudu fawn was born May 14 to Ted and Maggie: He is the first pudu born at the zoo in 10 years. Pudu parents Maggie and Ted were paired as part of the zoo’s conservation breeding program. There are a total of 33 pudus in the program, housed at zoos all around the country. The population has more females than males, so the new baby male is an important addition to the population. The Woodland Park Zoo celebrates new babies this spring
Woodland Park Zoo staff ‘cautiously optimistic’ for baby gorilla’s recovery from head injury Infant gorilla Kitoko sustained serious injuries to the head over the weekend, including a laceration from a bite wound - resulting in a bone fracture to the skull. Staff suspect one of the adult females may have inadvertently bitten the baby while engaged in a skirmish with Uzumma. Staff are optimistic of Kitoko making a recovery, providing no infection sets in. Fingers crossed for the little guy!
A 3 year old gorilla sustained a fatal head injury at Omaha several years back from an incident within the troop. Three-Year-Old Gorilla Killed At Zoo
Update on Kitoko: Woodland Park Zoo's baby gorilla is recovering The Woodland Park Zoo shared an update Monday on the condition of it's baby gorilla Kitoko. Kitoko was safely returned to his mom Sunday evening and is doing well, the Woodland Park Zoo said. Zookeepers say his mom, Uzumma was reunited with Kitoko and immediately picked him up and began nursing him. Father Kwame was also reunited with his family that evening.
Amanda the Western lowland gorilla has been euthanised at the age of 50: Amanda the gorilla, Woodland Park Zoo’s oldest animal, euthanized due to poor health “Known for her sweet disposition and being an exceptionally good mom, Amanda showed attentive, nurturing maternal love and care for her daughters,” mammal curator Martin Ramirez said in a news release. “We are going to deeply miss this beautiful animal.” Amanda came to Seattle from the Toronto Zoo in 1994. She raised three daughters at Woodland Park Zoo, including Uzumma, the mother of baby Kitoko. With Amanda’s death, there are now eight gorillas living at the zoo. Amanda Born in the wild 01/01/1970 Died at Woodland Park Zoo 27/05/2020 Offspring: Unnamed (M) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 08/11/1995 Died at Woodland Park Zoo 13/11/1995 Ngozi (F) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 18/03/1998 Sent to Toronto Zoo 04/03/2008 1.1 offspring Calaya (F) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 30/08/2002 Sent to the Smithsonian National Zoo 01/02/2015 1.0 offspring Unnamed (F) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 09/09/2005 Died at Woodland Park Zoo 09/09/2005 Unnamed (U) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 28/05/2006 Died at Woodland Park Zoo 28/05/2006 Uzumma (F) Born at Woodland Park Zoo 20/10/2007 Still at Woodland Park Zoo 1.0 offspring
@Zoofan15 your count of Ngozi's offspring is off by one. Its 1.2. She gave birth to son Nassir in 2009, daughters Nneka in 2014 and Charlie in 2018. Sad to see one of the gorillas who was part of my childhood go. Sure I haven't seen Amanda in person since I was a kid but she was still a part of my early zoo trips and I used to stand at the window of their indoor exhibit and watch them forever. My parents usually had to coax me away with promises of meerkats. Amanda may not have been my favorite, Charles will always be number one, but she helped to build my love of gorillas. Glad she is at peace.
Malayan Tapir Ulan gave birth: On June 10th, Ulan gave birth to her first calf. It is a female. The father is 20 years old Bintang which was born at the Woodland Park Zoo. This is his third calf, having 2 other calves in the zoos where he lived. Bintang and Ulan were paired in 2014. Ulan gave birth June 10! Tapir calf is healthy, strong and totally adorable.
Woodland Park Zoo will reopen July 1 with timed tickets, one-way traffic, and a requirement to wear masks and social distance.
Four Spur-winged plover chicks hatched in June: Woodland Park Zoo Celebrates Birth Of Precious Bird Babies They're the first of their species to be hatched at the zoo.
A Tawny frogmouth chick has hatched: Woodland Park Zoo's baby boom continues with new tawny frogmouth chick
Two Snowy owl chicks have hatched: They’re the first of their species to hatch at the zoo in nine years. Woodland Park Zoo Introduces Newly-Hatched Snowy Owl Chicks — See the Adorable Baby Birds!