Saint Louis Zoo

Look who's Jetting around behind the scenes! Baby Asian elephant Jet reached a new milestone last week when he explored the Zoo's largest behind-the-scenes elephant habitat, The Staenberg Group Elephant Woods, for the first time. Jet lived up to his name by zooming around and running to "tag" mom Jade and "auntie" Sri. In his first months of life, Jet has been a quick learner with a spunky personality. He is expected to make his public debut later this spring once he's fully acclimated to the habitats in River's Edge.

Happy #314Day, St. Louis! To celebrate, Roby practiced throwing this special frisbee to keeper Anna to prepare for the upcoming Sea Lion Show season! Catch Roby and the other California sea lions for Sea Lion Show Spring Training presented by Together Credit Union starting TOMORROW, March 15. Learn more at stlzoo.org/sealionshow.

If there's mud, baby Jet WILL roll around in it. 🥹 Three-month-old Asian elephant Jet recently took a mud bath in a behind-the-scenes habitat by the side of his auntie Sri. Jet has grown nearly 200 lbs. in his first months of life. Today he weighs about 460 lbs.! Jet continues to bond with his mother Jade and auntie Sri as he is slowly introduced to new indoor and outdoor spaces. He will make his public debut once he learns to navigate the public River's Edge habitats.

The Zoo looked absolutely magical in the snow this week, but we’re ready for some sunny skies! Who's excited for warmer days ahead this week? 🌿☀️ The Zoo is open daily year-round, so stop by to see us!

Be still my beating HEART, it’s Valentine’s Day! 💘 The Primate team treated the animals with Valentine’s Day enrichment. Geoffroy’s marmoset enjoyed a heart-shaped box of assorted berries, nuts and other yummy treats. Pancakes, the two-toed sloth in the Primate House, loved the fruits and vegetables. Visit the Primate House the next time you visit the Zoo!

Zoomies at the Zoo 🐧💨 One of the Humboldt penguins enjoyed a few quick laps in the outside habitat at Penguin & Puffin Coast.

Do you have a high school teen passionate about wildlife and conservation? Apply to be a Zoo ALIVE volunteer! Zoo ALIVE (Active Leaders in Volunteer Education) is the Saint Louis Zoo’s year-round volunteer educator program for high school age students. It is an inclusive community where teens from diverse backgrounds strengthen their connection to the natural world and build leadership skills and knowledge to co-create a culture that empowers them to make a difference. Volunteer opportunities may include helping guests at the stingray pool, working at our holiday events, leading conservation behavior change activities and more. Can't commit to a full year? Zoo Teens is the summer volunteer program for teens, ages 15-18. Teens will have opportunities to volunteer at the Bayer Insectarium, Education department and more throughout the summer. In each role, teens will learn about conservation and share information with our guests. You must be 15 years old by May 2025 to apply to either program. Applications for Zoo ALIVE Teens close February 15. Find the application at https://stlzoo.org/education/education-programs/zoo-alive-volunteers. Learn more about Zoo Teens at stlzoo.org/zoo-teens to apply!

Run like the wind, Sassafras! Sassafras, the newest Somali wild ass at the Zoo, enjoyed her first time in the snow this last week by zooming around her habitat. See Sassafras and the Somali wild ass family at Red Rocks the next time you visit the Zoo!

Wolf pack snow day ❄️ The American red wolves at the Zoo's wildlife reserve loved playing, digging, and cuddling in the freshly fallen snow last week. Watch Ladybird and Wilber along with their 8-month-old pups, Molly, Obi and Finn, as they take in the winter wonderland. During cold months, red wolves are more active during the day compared to summer when they prefer the cooler evenings. They’ll bury food under the snow to save it for later, a natural instinct for when prey is scarcer in the winter. Since they are native to Missouri, though are no longer found in the wild here, they are well adapted to our local weather. Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve is today home to 16 critically endangered red wolves in Franklin County. Learn more at the link in the comments.

The resident chimp troop here at the Zoo recently explored their snowy outdoor habitat! All animals at the Zoo are always given the choice to stay inside, but these adventurous chimps decided to enjoy the snow.

This weather is for the birds-- especially penguins! Some king and gentoo penguins ventured outside Penguin & Puffin Coast with keepers to enjoy this wintery weather. They spent their time exploring in the snow and had a fun day of play! These walks are not pre-scheduled and do not occur on a regular basis. Instead, when the weather cooperates, the birds are given the option to participate in spontaneous and enriching outdoor adventures.

Saint Louis Zoo polar bear enjoys some freshly fallen snow

This snow is Kali approved. 🐻‍❄️❄️ Early this morning, the habitat camera recorded our favorite polar bear enjoying a "bath" in the freshly fallen snow. You can watch our livestream of Kali's snowy habitat today on YouTube (link in the comments.)