Animal Babies
OH, BABY! NEW FACES AT THE ZOO
Summer 2024 is going to be cuteness overload!
Here are some of our most recent births and updates on how the little ones are doing.
Gorilla
Baby Gorilla Update
In a move to ensure he is raised by gorillas and grows as a gorilla, Woodland Park Zoo has made a critical decision to move this 1½-month-old male to another zoo so he can be raised by a surrogate gorilla mom and socialized with a multigenerational family of gorillas.
The baby, who has not yet been named, was born June 28, 2024 at Woodland Park Zoo to first-time mom Akenji and dad Kwame. For the last several weeks, the focus has been on training three experienced gorilla moms living at the zoo as potential surrogates. Although Woodland Park Zoo has a remarkable track record with hand- and assist-rearing babies before successfully introducing them to live in a normal social environment with other gorillas, progress has not advanced fast enough.
The zoo is currently working with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan which maintains a list of potential surrogates across the country for situations just like this. Species Survival Plans are cooperative breeding programs across accredited zoos and aquariums to help ensure healthy, self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species. The program convenes experts in animal care, welfare, and conservation who work toward maintaining genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of more than 300 species of animals.
Stay tuned for updates:
Baby gorilla will head to another zoo to be raised by a surrogate mom and socialized with a multigenerational family of gorillas
It's a boy! Gorilla Akenji gives birth—newborn is currently being hand-reared by gorilla staff
A baby gorilla is on the way!
Birth watch begins for pregnant gorilla—Akenji's baby could come at any time now!
River Otter
Otterly Awesome News
Valkyrie and her wiggly pup, Dory, continue to spend time between an off-view, climate-controlled den and the outdoor public exhibit. Dory is learning to dive, roll, swim and dogpaddle with mom in the stream. Animal care staff are closely monitoring the new family via a den cam. Dad Ziggy is currently separated from the family and can be seen in the Living Northwest Trail habitat.
Two North American river otters, Dory and Trout, were born March 29, 2024 to mom Valkyrie and dad Ziggy. Sadly, little Trout (the male pup) passed away in an accident at just under three months old. Although his time with us was short, he brought much joy to the Living Northwest Trail, and beyond, and we will never forget him.
Stay tuned for updates:
Zoo mourns loss of otter pup
Otter pups open their eyes just in time for Mother's Day
Valkyrie gives birth to a pair of river otter pups
Gazelle
We’d like to introduce you to Dawa!
Dawa is a bouncing baby (calf) Grant’s gazelle—and we mean that quite literally! Pronking—sometimes called stotting—is a kind of four-legged bounce or jump. Gazelles are known for this special kind of gait and, as you can see in the video (watch ‘til the end so you don’t miss a moment!) little Dawa has been eager to show that she mastered her pronking technique even when she was only a couple weeks old!
Dawa is growing fast, but she’s not quite big enough to be out on the Savanna yet. We’ll let you know when she’s ready to be in the public habitat, but for now we’re taking our cues from mom, Blossom.
In the wild, gazelle mothers keep their calves safely hidden for up to a few months to protect them from predators—and the same is true of our new mother. Blossom is following her instincts and has been quietly bonding with and tending to Dawa in a secluded area behind the scenes.
Dawa comes from the Swahili word meaning “medicine” or “cure” ... the perfect moniker for a sweet calf who has provided a big dose of joy and excitement!
Get the scoop on adorable Dawa! This little gazelle calf provides a big dose of joy!
Baby Gazelle Dawa pronks!
Introducing Dawa! This little gazelle calf provides a big dose of joy!
WAYS TO HELP
Celebrate these little ones with conservation action