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.)
Happy first weekend of 2025 courtesy of baby Asian elephant Jet!
Happy New Year!
We'd like to kick off 2025 by sharing some of your most-loved baby animal moments over the last year here at the Zoo.
The Zoo is closed today for the holiday. We reopen tomorrow Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Happy New Year’s Eve! Let's close out the year with another dose of one of the Zoo's most-loved posts of 2024.
The Zoo is open today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) for New Year's Day.
See you all in 2025!
A ONEderful celebration for Forest! ❄️
The Primate Care team at the Zoo pulled off a winter wonderland for the Sumatran orangutan family to celebrate Forest’s first birthday!
Forest, Rubih, Cinta, Ginger and Merah enjoyed many different types of enrichment including frozen fruits, paper snowflakes and many more. These food items are part of the orangutans' diet plan and treats are offered during special occasions.
Forest was born December 22, 2023, to Rubih and Cinta and can be seen at Jungle of the Apes the next time you visit the Zoo!
The Zoo's three male gorillas are what we call a "bachelor group" made up of Bakari—a full-grown silverback at age 19—and two younger males, Kayin and Zachary.
Bachelor gorilla introductions can take time and patience as the gorillas learn to trust each other and build bonds. Recently, Animal Care staff has seen a distinct change in the group's behavior demonstrating the relationships that have been slowly building between the trio!
All three gorillas are demonstrating play behavior. Usually, Bakari will carefully approach the young males and calmly sit with his back to them, being sure to look away to appear non-threatening. If the other gorilla is comfortable, they will gently poke him. This can quickly turn into a full-out wrestling session complete with gorilla laughter and tossing enrichment items, especially if the youngest gorilla Kayin is involved!
It takes a lot of trust for gorilla males to play, especially with an unrelated full-grown silverback. It also takes a lot of gentleness and patience on the silverback’s part.
Most of the time the trio chooses to play just at the entrance doors to their habitat and behind enrichment curtains caregivers hang to provide the gorillas some secluded spaces as they build these bonds.
We are proud of the Jungle of the Apes care team's work with the group. Saint Louis Zoo pioneered forming the first bachelor group of western lowland gorillas in human care, along with the first successful integration of two bachelor groups.
Time flies! Today is Asian elephant Raja's 32nd birthday! 🐘🎉
We recently celebrated the occasion by giving Raja some of his favorite snacks in animal-safe "presents" along with some pine trees and greenery that he was quick to chomp.
We are thrilled that last month Raja became a grandpa with the birth of newborn baby Jet. Raja is expected to move to Columbus Zoo & Aquarium sometime in 2025 where we hope he can continue to grow his family and the genetic diversity of his endangered species.
Wishing a very special FIRST birthday to Forest! 🥳
Sumatran orangutan Forest now weighs about 18 pounds and continues to win over the hearts of Animal Care staff and any Zoo guests who see him ❤️.
Forest was born to first-time mom Rubih and dad Cinta one year ago today. He is learning to swing around his habitat and loves to play with half-sister Ginger. He is very adventurous and is always busy exploring or trying to convince an older orangutan to play. He loves trying out new food and especially loves applesauce.
Did you know orangutans have the longest childhood of any animal in the world? Unlike other social apes, orangutan babies rely solely on their mothers. They learn how to find food, make a nest and use tools. On average, orangutans will stay with their mothers until they are eight years old.
Stay tuned to see how the Primate Keeper staff celebrated his birthday!
