Saint Louis Zoo

12/07/2024

Holiday fun for all!

Sensory-Friendly night is Monday, December 9 at Wild Lights presented by Commerce Bank!

This special night will mirror the traditional Wild Lights experience, but also includes sensory maps, quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals with sensory sensitivities.

Tickets for this special night are $11 for guests. Guests under the age of 2 are free. Get your tickets at stlzoo.org/wildlights.

12/05/2024

Could baby Jet be any cuter?

Jet, born Nov. 23, is an energetic little Asian elephant who is growing more courageous and coordinated each day under the wonderful care of first-time mom Jade. He has enjoyed exploring, playing with greenery and interacting with keepers. He got his first bath and also learned to approach and stand on the Zoo's large platform scale. His first weight was 262 lbs.!

Jet and Jade are bonding well in a private area of the Zoo. Baby will make his debut in the outside habitats once his development and the weather allow.

Stay tuned for more updates about his first weeks of life.

12/04/2024

Happy International Cheetah Day! So much goes into caring for cheetahs here at the Zoo.

Members of our Animal Health and Carnivore Care teams have been regularly working with cheetah, Pumzika, to draw blood for her medical care.

Pumzika was diagnosed with a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes, which play a major role in digesting food. Pumzika was put on treatment by Zoo vets, making it necessary for veterinary staff to periodically collect her blood during training sessions to monitor her condition. This blood work has been key in adjusting her treatment as needed.

During these sessions, the Zoo's Carnivore Team feeds the cheetah while a veterinary technician safely removes her tail from a port in the habitat. The vet tech is then able to collect the needed blood sample from the tail.

This is just one example of how the Zoo's dedicated staff train animals to actively participate in their own medical care. This approach allows us to collect vital health information without the potential risks of anesthesia.

Thanks to timely intervention and proper medication, Pumzika continues to do very well!

12/03/2024

A Zoo membership is a gift that keeps giving all year long!

Give the gift of a Zoo membership this holiday season. A holiday gift membership also includes a collectible 2024 ornament available (while supplies last).

A Zoo membership gets your family free parking for six visits, 36 member tickets for the Zooline Railroad, 10% discount at the gift shop and so much more!

Learn more about a Zoo membership or other gift ideas this holiday season at stlzoo.org/holiday.

12/02/2024

Piper the Brazilian porcupine recently turned 11 and it was adorable! 🥹💙

Keeper Breah Ponds made Piper a beautiful birthday portrait and some special cupcake treats for the big day.

Piper is an ambassador animal who can occasionally be seen in the River's Edge area of the Zoo. She will make a home at the Zoo's area for children and families now under development, Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery, when it opens in 2026.

11/30/2024

Dress up your tree with a fun Zoo ornament!

Collect the 2024 limited-edition Saint Louis Zoo holiday ornament featuring a tiger from the Mary Ann Lee Carousel.

Are you looking for another ornament to decorate the tree? There are four white ball ornaments to choose from—flamingo, penguin, polar bear and giraffe!

The collectible ornament is $20 and the white ornaments are $15. You can shop for them at the Zoo gift shops or online at stlzoo.org/holiday.

11/27/2024

Adventures with Vern!

Vern is a male burrowing owl living in the Bird House. Unlike other owls, burrowing owls live mainly underground in burrows. The intelligent species will take advantage of burrows made by other animals in the wild instead of wasting energy making a new one.

See Vern at the Bird House the next time you visit the Zoo!

11/26/2024

Keepers at the Bird House provide nesting materials to encourage natural behaviors for many birds in our care like this beautiful white-headed buffalo weaver.

11/25/2024

CONSERVATION CLOSE TO HOME: Zoo staff recently surveyed an endangered species found only in Missouri 🌎🐟

In October, the Zoo took part in surveys and habitat assessments of the grotto sculpin (Cottus specus), a cave-adapted fish species that can only be found in the subterranean streams of Perry County, Missouri. The species became a federally protected endangered species in 2013.

Zoo staff, including University of Missouri-St. Louis professor Michi Tobler, who serves as a Senior Scientist at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, and members of the Zoo's Herpetology & Aquatics Department joined the survey. They climbed down crevices and crawled through narrow passages to reach underground streams, where they counted cave fish and assessed the quality of their habitat. Michi then collected genetic samples for his lab's ongoing research into spring and cave fish.

Missouri is known as the Cave State with more than 7,000 caves. These caves, both in Missouri and worldwide, harbor diverse ecosystems that are highly imperiled, but also vastly understudied. Closing that knowledge gap is key to effective conservation of these important sites.

About 38% of people in the U.S. get their drinking water from subterranean sources. Conservation of cave-adapted species like the grotto sculpin and the habitats they live in can also protect ground water health.

This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Dept. of Conservation and the Cave Research Foundation.

11/24/2024

IT'S A BOY! 🐘

Jade, the Zoo’s 17-year-old Asian elephant, gave birth to a baby boy named Jet at 4:32 a.m. on Saturday, November 23. Jet is named after a gemstone and fits in line with the Zoo’s elephant family history of gemstone names. The calf’s great-grandparents are Onyx and Pearl and his mother is Jade.

The baby is the first Asian elephant born from artificial insemination at the Saint Louis Zoo. The baby's father is Jake, who was born at African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada, and currently lives at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
The Saint Louis Zoo is committed to improving the sustainability of the Asian elephant population. The science of artificial insemination allowed Jade to contribute to the genetic diversity of her species population while remaining with her family group. The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is a leader in male elephant research, contributing to advancements in assisted reproductive technologies.

“We are thrilled to welcome this calf, which starts the fourth generation of our Asian elephant family at the Zoo,” said Tim Thier, Curator of Mammals/Ungulates and River’s Edge, and Director, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Asian Elephant Conservation. “Jade and baby are doing well and bonding.”

An elephant pregnancy lasts about 22 months, and a newborn typically weighs about 250-350 pounds. Jade received regular prenatal health checkups throughout her pregnancy by the Zoo’s elephant care team.

Jade is part of an eight-member, four-generation elephant family that includes her new calf, Ellie, Maliha, Pearl, Priya, Sri and Raja at the Zoo’s River’s Edge and Staenberg Group Elephant Woods habitats. Jade was born at the Saint Louis Zoo in 2007 to parents Rani and Raja.

Baby will be able to explore his outdoor habitat as he grows older and when temperatures are warm enough.

11/22/2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like Wild Lights!

Wild Lights presented by Commerce Bank begins NEXT FRIDAY, November 29! Enjoy dazzling displays including a 25-foot giraffe and her baby near Carousel Cafe!

Your ticket to Wild Lights includes admission to Penguin & Puffin Coast, Bayer Insectarium, Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel, the 4D theater, free parking, take home crafts for the kids and more! Get your tickets today at stlzoo.org.

11/21/2024

We're proud to announce a new conservation initiative at Saint Louis Zoo that will support research, field work and outreach to help wild polar bears in the Arctic and the people that live among them.

The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Polar Bear Conservation is the first new conservation center created by the Zoo since 2019.

Upon launch, the Center's projects will include:

🐻‍❄️ Joining a World Wildlife Fund project researching polar bear ear tracking tags that could significantly improve research of the species

🐻‍❄️ Supporting polar bear deterrence programs in two Alaska Native villages

🐻‍❄️ Continuing the Zoo's support of the Polar Bears International Arctic Ambassador Center network and dedicating funds to the nonprofit's Maternal Den Study of polar bear behavior in the Arctic.

🐻‍❄️ Using the Zoo’s platform to inform the public, amplify indigenous perspectives and motivate action on one of the greatest threats to polar bears: climate change. The projected loss of essential sea ice habitats caused by rising temperatures is expected to greatly reduce the species' global population size.

“It's incredibly important that we better understand and protect this species now more than ever,” said Center Director Julie Hartell-DeNardo, who also serves as the Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores at Saint Louis Zoo. “We hope deepening the Zoo’s longstanding support of this species can make a real impact for these magnificent bears.”

📷 Polar bear photos courtesy of Don Getty/World Wildlife Fund and Dmytro Cherkasov/Polar Bears International.

11/19/2024

Community input has been central every step of the way at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, our safari park under development in north St. Louis County.

Check out this great article from the University of Missouri-St. Louis magazine exploring how the Zoo and UMSL's Community Innovation and Action Center worked with 25 St. Louis area teens to develop ideas for exciting new youth programs at WildCare Park.

The safari park is set to open to the public in 2027.

The zoo tapped CIAC to help create a co-design process to source ideas for programming from students from across St. Louis.

11/19/2024

Rock the holidays with the gift of a penguin 🐧

Adopt a Southern rockhopper from the Zoo and all proceeds go directly toward the care and feeding of the animal!

This special holiday adoption includes a rockhopper penguin plush (while supplies last), a holiday card, a personalized adoption certificate, a color photo with animal facts and more!

To ensure delivery by December 24, mail, phone and online orders should be made by Monday, December 2. Adoptions placed online or by phone are $60. Holiday adoptions purchased at the Zoo are $50.

Orders will be mailed within 14-21 business days. Please allow as much time as possible to place your order. Learn more at stlzoo.org/holidayadoption.

11/18/2024

We are saddened to share the passing of elderly 17-year-old African lion Ingozi. He was humanely euthanized on Friday, Nov. 15, due to advanced liver and spinal disease.

Ingozi was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2007 and moved to the Saint Louis Zoo shortly after his first birthday. Ingozi was paired with female lioness Cabara at Big Cat Country and sired multiple litters. Ingozi and Cabara did an excellent job caring for their young. Once the cubs were grown, they moved on to other zoos and became parents as well, making Ingozi and Cabara grandparents and great-great-grandparents.

Ingozi was known for his impressive roar and magnificent mane. He was an attentive mate to Cabara and enjoyed staying by her side. Guests could often see him lying in the sun and resting on the raised platform in the habitat. The Animal Care and the Animal Health teams provided excellent care for Ingozi throughout his lifetime.

Cabara, age 19, resides at Big Cat Country and will spend her golden years at the Saint Louis Zoo, the home she’s known for over 17 years. She will continue to receive dedicated, specialized care from our skilled Animal Care and Animal Health teams.

Ingozi will be greatly missed by his care team and all who knew him.

11/16/2024

Don't miss our adorable dwarf mongoose pack in the River's Edge area of the Zoo!

These tiny carnivores only weigh about one pound each.

11/15/2024

Meet Arugula 🦘

This adorable kangaroo joey was born to mom and dad, Roomer and Roogatti, on February 7, 2024. She first made her debut from mom's pouch in July.

You can find her bouncing around her habitat in Red Rocks the next time you visit the Zoo!

11/14/2024

We are saddened to share the passing of elderly chimpanzee Rosebud (Rosie) on Friday, Nov. 8.

Rosie came to the Saint Louis Zoo in 2007 with her daughter Utamu and was an integral part of the chimpanzee troop since her arrival 17 years ago. Rosie was humanely euthanized due to progressive arthritis that was no longer responsive to pain medication. She also had other medical concerns often seen in geriatric animals. The Primate and Animal Health teams provided excellent care for Rosie, which allowed her to have a long life. She was about 55 years old.

Over the last four years, Rosie was able to see her granddaughter Raven’s birth and development and she played a huge role in helping Utamu as a first-time mother. The Jungle of the Apes care team reflected that Rosie was “simply the best.” She would greet them by making endearing “raspberry” vocalizations, especially when they were delivering her favorite food – bananas. She was often found in the center of any chimpanzee grooming session and enjoyed playing with the other chimpanzees. Her favorite activity was relaxing in the sunshine in a big nest she built herself.

Rosie will be greatly missed by her chimpanzee family, caretakers and all who knew her.