Bigger paws, bigger pounces, and even bigger personalities—snow leopard cubs Pavlova and Bhutan are growing up fast!
At 7 months old, these little troublemakers are mastering the art of "big catting"—jumping, climbing, and, of course, plenty of play. As they grow, our team gives them opportunities to hone their skills, including shifting to new habitats in Asian Highlands to encourage exploration and adventure.
Next time you visit, you might spot them in a different habitat—so take a stroll through Asian Highlands to catch Babs and her snowballs in action! 🐾❄️
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #snowleopard #snowleopardcubs #cubs #babyanimals #visitsaltlake #utah #zoo
Us, when harbor seal Mira shows off during training 🤩🤩
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #lookatthis #seal #seals #utah #zoo
Checking in on the bear-y latest – female polar bear Neva emerged from her den!
Neva exiting her den means she did not have cubs this season. Through the denning process, Neva remained calm and exhibited many of the behaviors we hoped to see—an important milestone in the ongoing progress of this delicate process. Each reproductive season, no matter the outcome, offers opportunities for the bears (and us!) to learn and grow. We’re proud of our team for all the hard work they put into this delicate process, helping us better understand these incredible animals and their natural behaviors.
After their time apart during denning season, Neva and Nikita will take turns in their outdoor habitat. So, when you visit Rocky Shores, you may see either of the polar bears outside!
This winter, Neva and Nikita will be reintroduced for mating season. This season of their reproductive cycle gets smoother and more comfortable for them each year and is always guided by the bears’ needs and choices.
Stay tuned for updates on when they reunite for mating season, where you can visit Neva and Nikita together!
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #polarbear #polarbears #bears #utah #zoo
Me, after answering one (1) email on a Monday. 😴
Sasha’s keeping things cozy with the best seat in the house: her heated rock. If you’re visiting the zoo and looking to warm up, we’ve got you covered! A Mountain America Credit Union #ProTip: Check out these top 5 warm-up spots during your next visit:
🐾 Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center in Wild Utah
🐾 The Great Apes Building
🐾 Tidewater Cove in Rocky Shores
🐾 Small Animal Building
🐾 Grandma's House in Asian Highlands
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #mondaymood #mood #monday #tiger #utah #snow #winter #thingstodoinutah #visitsaltlake #zoo
What do you get when you combine fresh snow with enrichment, training, and tasty treats? The purrrfect day for our resident cats.
Thanks for joining us for a paws-itively unforgettable Cats & Cocoa today! 🐱☕
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #cats #bigcats #utahevents #thingstodoinutah #zoo #animals #utah
Addo-n’t stop him now—this little guy is on a roll!
At 8 months old, baby Addo continues to make strides in his development. He’s already started training with his care team, learning to recognize his name and associate the whistle bridge keepers use with tasty treats. (Spoiler alert: Addo is a BIG fan of green peppers, yams, and strawberries! 🍠🍓)
This training is an important step in helping Addo learn new behaviors and actions, empowering him to participate in his own care as he grows.
When he’s not busy showing off his smarts, Addo is stealing hearts with his silly antics—whether he’s munching on snacks, hanging from ropes, or playing with his favorite toys.
🧡 Can you believe how much he’s already grown?!
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #babygorilla #gorilla #babyanimal #babyanimals #utah #thingstodoinutah #visitsaltlake #zoo
Something fluffy this way comes...🐾🐱
We are so excited to welcome 2-year-old female Pallas’ cat, Kaarina, to Utah’s Hogle Zoo!
Kaarina’s move from Columbus Zoo in Ohio opens exciting breeding opportunities and continues a family legacy deeply rooted at Hogle Zoo—Kaarina is the great-granddaughter of our former Pallas’s cat breeding pair, Petenka and Hal! Her grandmother, Ting, was born here in 2017 before moving to another facility, where she had Tiina, who had Kaarina at Columbus Zoo in 2023. We’re thrilled to welcome their lineage back to the zoo with Kaarina!
Pallas’ cats are known for their thick, heavy coats and signature grumpy faces. But Kaarina’s elusive and reserved nature isn’t just about her iconic look—like all Pallas’ cats, she’s most active in late summer and early fall, bulking up for winter and preparing for breeding season. Once winter sets in, she prefers to lay low, becoming less active during the day and often retreating to a cozy bed – a spot you’re likely to find her.
Swing by Asian Highlands to welcome our newest resident to the zoo!
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #pallascat #cat #cats #pallas #grumpycat #utah #zoo
‼️Breaking news‼️ Tony played with an egg 🥚
Tony, resident badger in Wild Utah, gets treated to different kinds of daily enrichment – just like all animals at the zoo! Enrichment comes in many forms like toys, puzzle feeders, and even sensory-based things like bubbles or new smells. Enrichment creates opportunities for animals to learn, explore, and showcase natural behaviors.
Want to see Tony’s next egg-cellent adventure? 🥚 Visit him in Wild Utah!
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #badger #wildutah #utah #utahwildlife #enrichment #animals #animalsdoingthings #zoo
Make some noise if you’re ready for the weekend! 🔊
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #sealion #weekend #tgif #utah #thingstodoinutah #utahactivities #visitsaltlake #utah #zoo
The last #Caturday of the year calls for some serious post-holiday lounging. 🦁 💤
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #caturday #lions #lion #postholidaymood #mood #utah #zoo
Wave your flipper, nod your head, and jump if you can hardly contain your excitement!⛄✨
Join us at the zoo today to get out those holiday wiggles!
Holiday hours and info ⬇️
🐾 Zoo hours:
* December 24: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* December 25: Closed all day
* December 26 – December 30: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* December 31: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* January 1: Closed all day
✨ ZooLights:
* December 26 – 30: Open nightly, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
* December 26: ZooLights Silent Night, a sensory-friendly evening with adjusted sound and lighting, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
*January 2 – 5: Open nightly, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #holidayseason #holidayhours #happyholidays #utah #thingstodoinutah #utahactivities #utah #zoo
#Throwback to last week's snow storm ❄️ The bighorn bros may have side-eyed the snowman, but they were definitely making the most of the snow while it lasted!
Are you rooting for more snow, or ready to fast-forward to spring?
#utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #bighornsheep #snow #snowman #utah