Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo News 2025

SZM said:
The former reticulated python exhibit at the orangutan area has been completely renovated, it is still empty but new inhabitants should be added soon.
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Very curious to see what ends up taking this space, it's hard to visualize without seeing the exhibit at the moment (especially since I haven't seen the new renovations), but considering it's right next to the Orangutans, I almost wonder if some sort of small primate or monkey could go in here. It would fit within the "Trail of Vine" theme. I'll hopefully have to time my next visit with the new addition
GoldenTakin said:
I never would have thought at the beginning of 2025 that Woodland Park Zoo would obtain so many new species this year. We now have 7 hornbills with an 8th on the way thanks to Dr. Neves.
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Man, I'm not sure how much space is left / how much more space they're able to make, but considering the Zoo does a huge amount of work with the conservation of Asian Hornbill species, I have a feeling this isn't the end of the Hornbill craze. Especially considering as you pointed out (thank you for that by the way, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if I didn't know they were seperate subspecies) 2 subspecies of the Rhinoceros Hornbills + the Wrinkled Hornbills, I can't imagine another species or 2 of Asian Hornbill is out of the realm of possibilities.
 
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Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
Very curious to see what ends up taking this space, it's hard to visualize without seeing the exhibit at the moment (especially since I haven't seen the new renovations), but considering it's right next to the Orangutans, I almost wonder if some sort of small primate or monkey could go in here. It would fit within the "Trail of Vine" theme. I'll hopefully have to time my next visit with the new addition
.
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A pair of Weber's Sailfin Lizards has arrived and is housed in this revamped space.
 
Managed to make a visit today and because it's been getting much colder here, and the heavy rain we've been getting, it was extremley quite today which was nice. But as a caveat, a lot of the animals were hit or miss. But a few updates I could find:
  • There is now a Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) in one of the indoor TRF exhibits. I'm blanking on what species it replaced (I should've taken a picture, my fault). I want to say it was the Red-crested Finches as I don't recall seeing a sign for them, and they are still present in the walkthrough aviary so they could've been moved into there.
  • They keep rearraing the bird mixes between the indoor exhibits and walkthrough aviary so this might be a little confusing but based on my last species list in August and my previous visit, the Golden-bellied Grosbeaks were moved from an indoor exhibit, to the Walkthrough Aviary (nice surprise since I never saw them before). Violaceous Euphonias took their spot in the space they shared with the Red-capped Cardnials, Silver beaked Tanagers, and Turquoise Tanagers.
  • I also overheard a keeper and volunteer talking in the walkthrough aviary, and mentioned they did add a couple more Bay-headed Tanagers, which is really nice since allegedly only 3 other NA institutions keep them. Was wondering why I went from never seeing them to now seeing them 3 times in a row which is awesome.
  • The Common Trumpeter's were back on exhibit in the Conservation Aviary
  • Unfortunately, the Bornean Rhinocerous Hornbills were not signed, nor did I see them in the Conservation Aviary. I wonder if they're waiting for the male to get here before putting them out on exhibit again.
  • The viewing for the Patas Monkeys is still blocked off, but the barrier was lessened so you're a bit closer now. I still didn't see any of them, but it looks like they're starting to loosen up the viewing restrictions so hopefully soon.
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
Managed to make a visit today and because it's been getting much colder here, and the heavy rain we've been getting, it was extremley quite today which was nice. But as a caveat, a lot of the animals were hit or miss. But a few updates I could find:
  • There is now a Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) in one of the indoor TRF exhibits. I'm blanking on what species it replaced (I should've taken a picture, my fault). I want to say it was the Red-crested Finches as I don't recall seeing a sign for them, and they are still present in the walkthrough aviary so they could've been moved into there.
  • They keep rearraing the bird mixes between the indoor exhibits and walkthrough aviary so this might be a little confusing but based on my last species list in August and my previous visit, the Golden-bellied Grosbeaks were moved from an indoor exhibit, to the Walkthrough Aviary (nice surprise since I never saw them before). Violaceous Euphonias took their spot in the space they shared with the Red-capped Cardnials, Silver beaked Tanagers, and Turquoise Tanagers.
  • I also overheard a keeper and volunteer talking in the walkthrough aviary, and mentioned they did add a couple more Bay-headed Tanagers, which is really nice since allegedly only 3 other NA institutions keep them. Was wondering why I went from never seeing them to now seeing them 3 times in a row which is awesome.
  • The Common Trumpeter's were back on exhibit in the Conservation Aviary
  • Unfortunately, the Bornean Rhinocerous Hornbills were not signed, nor did I see them in the Conservation Aviary. I wonder if they're waiting for the male to get here before putting them out on exhibit again.
  • The viewing for the Patas Monkeys is still blocked off, but the barrier was lessened so you're a bit closer now. I still didn't see any of them, but it looks like they're starting to loosen up the viewing restrictions so hopefully soon.
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Thank you for the updates @Northwest_FIsh_Keeping . To add a few additional updates from my visit yesterday.

  • 2 Beautiful Fruit Doves were added to the enclosure with the Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove and Chestnut Backed Thrushes in TRF. The species is not yet signed.
  • The Green Aracari exhibit now holds a mix of passerine species which includes the silver beaked tanager, turquoise tanager, violaceous euphonia, and red capped cardinal.
  • The former Reticulated Python exhibit next to Orangutans now holds a Webers Sailfin Lizard in a wonderfully renovated exhibit. (photo uploaded on the thread)
 
GoldenTakin said:
  • 2 Beautiful Fruit Doves were added to the enclosure with the Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove and Chestnut Backed Thrushes in TRF. The species is not yet signed.
  • The Green Aracari exhibit now holds a mix of passerine species which includes the silver beaked tanager, turquoise tanager, violaceous euphonia, and red capped cardinal.
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NOOO I can't believe i missed the Fruit Doves, man. Well at least at this point by the time I go back, there will be another 2 or 3 new species anyways lol. That's what I was forgetting too, I didn't realize the Aracari's were off exhibit.
I should also say that i still didn't see the Sloth this time, but he apparently does have access to the Aviary walls as well because I was talking to a keeper and she said the only time she's seen him was on the top of the Aviary walls which is pretty crazy since I thought he was just restricted to the main tree. No wonder most staff and volunteers I talk to still haven't seen him.
 
A pair of Von Der Decken's Hornbills has arrived from John Ball Zoo and is currently undergoing quarantine, as are additional White-throated Ground-doves.

The Sloth can be challenging to see, but the Animal Care team is working on a few alternatives to ensure they can keep an eye on him and at the same time increase visibility.
 
SZM said:
A pair of Von Der Decken's Hornbills has arrived from John Ball Zoo and is currently undergoing quarantine, as are additional White-throated Ground-doves.

The Sloth can be challenging to see, but the Animal Care team is working on a few alternatives to ensure they can keep an eye on him and at the same time increase visibility.
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The Hornbills are now at the savanna aviary, and a male has joined the female Palm Cockatoo at the Conservation Aviary. A new female Zebra has arrived.
 
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I might be travelling to Seattle this late December after Christmas, and might get to visit the Woodland Park Zoo. Any must-see species that I should check out while I'm here?

Also, what is the best hour to visit to see the species in the Living Northwest Trail active? That's definitley my most anticipated exhibit, as we don't really have any exhibits dedicated to Northwest species here in any of the Cali zoos.

Also, best hours to see the jaguar and gorillas active?
 
BenFoxster said:
I might be travelling to Seattle this late December after Christmas, and might get to visit the Woodland Park Zoo. Any must-see species that I should check out while I'm here?

Also, what is the best hour to visit to see the species in the Living Northwest Trail active? That's definitley my most anticipated exhibit, as we don't really have any exhibits dedicated to Northwest species here in any of the Cali zoos.

Also, best hours to see the jaguar and gorillas active?
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I can't speak on the Jaguar and Gorillas since they've been a hit or miss no matter what time of the day I stop by, but for the Northwest animals, typically morning is when I've seen them most active, though the Mountain Goats you'll basically never see unless you try and peer over the Bear's space since they hang out in the back of the rock structure that's only visible from a distance. The Lynx have also been a hit or miss IME but everyone else is either active, or sleeping but visible in an open area.

My bird knowledge isn't that great, considering WPZ has a very good bird collection, though to my knowledge some of the rarer species are:
  • Green Honeycreepers (Less than 10 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Soccoro Doves (Less than 10 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Bay-headed Tanagers (Less than 5 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Both Rhinoceros Hornbill subspecies I believe are pretty uncommon in the US, the Javan subspecies (Trail of Vines) and the Bornean subspecies that should be in the "Conservation Aviary" either now or sometime soon.
There are most likely others that I'm missing out on, but all 5 of these species should be pretty easy to spot thankfully. The Hornbills are always out, the Doves are super active, and they added more Tanagers (and I suspect more Honeycreepers too) which has made them really easy to spot.
Also try and catch the Sloth in the Rainforest Aviary that most people haven't caught a glimpse of yet.
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
I can't speak on the Jaguar and Gorillas since they've been a hit or miss no matter what time of the day I stop by, but for the Northwest animals, typically morning is when I've seen them most active, though the Mountain Goats you'll basically never see unless you try and peer over the Bear's space since they hang out in the back of the rock structure that's only visible from a distance. The Lynx have also been a hit or miss IME but everyone else is either active, or sleeping but visible in an open area.

My bird knowledge isn't that great, considering WPZ has a very good bird collection, though to my knowledge some of the rarer species are:
  • Green Honeycreepers (Less than 10 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Soccoro Doves (Less than 10 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Bay-headed Tanagers (Less than 5 US holders if ZTL is correct) (Rainforest Aviary)
  • Both Rhinoceros Hornbill subspecies I believe are pretty uncommon in the US, the Javan subspecies (Trail of Vines) and the Bornean subspecies that should be in the "Conservation Aviary" either now or sometime soon.
There are most likely others that I'm missing out on, but all 5 of these species should be pretty easy to spot thankfully. The Hornbills are always out, the Doves are super active, and they added more Tanagers (and I suspect more Honeycreepers too) which has made them really easy to spot.
Also try and catch the Sloth in the Rainforest Aviary that most people haven't caught a glimpse of yet.
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Thanks so much! I'll probably try to enter the through the entrance by the penguins and make either NorthWest Trail or the Rianforest (jaguar, gorilla, rainforest building, etc.) my first two stops at the zoo. I may even try to see the rainforest area twice throughout the day if I don;t see the animals the first time.
 
A second pair of Vietnam Pheasants is now at the walkthrough section of the conservation aviary. There is some works being done on a few of the Tropical Rainforest habitats, in preparation for more new arrivals. Pink-headed Fruit-doves have replaced the Ross' Turaco, which is moving to conservation aviary.
 
Woodland Park Zoo has released its 2026 Draft Annual Plan and here are the links to the 9-page document:

Reports and Finances - Woodland Park Zoo Seattle WA

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The following section will be of high interest to zoo nerds:

CAPITAL PROJECTS:

• Construction completion for the Forest Trailhead exhibit. Exhibit opening May 2026.
• Complete construction for a lorikeet feeding experience.
• Complete construction of an Aldabra tortoise exhibit to open in spring 2026.
• Complete Family Farm Phase 2 design stage.
• Complete Long-Range Facilities Plan Draft for approval by the Parks Superintendent and City Council.
• Design and construct a new flamingo experience.
 
snowleopard said:
Construction completion for the Forest Trailhead exhibit. Exhibit opening May 2026.
• Complete construction for a lorikeet feeding experience.
• Complete construction of an Aldabra tortoise exhibit to open in spring 2026.
• Complete Family Farm Phase 2 design stage.
• Complete Long-Range Facilities Plan Draft for approval by the Parks Superintendent and City Council.
• Design and construct a new flamingo experience.
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Awesome to have an opening time frame for Forest Trailhead, I'm assuming most of the remaining work is on the interior exhibits since the outside looks pretty finished to me at least. The Aldabra Tortoise exhibit is the first time I'm hearing of it, that will be pretty sweet. I wonder with the Kea's moving to Forest Trailhead, their current exhibit will be demolished and become the Aldabra space since it's right next to the "Reptile Realm".
This may have gone under the radar since it was commented under @GoldenTakin 's construction pic of the Aviary, but @SZM reported that the 3 species so far that have arrived for the Lorikeet aviary includ (with more numbers + species arriving in the near future)
  • Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
  • Green-naped Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus)
  • Scaly-breasted Lorikeets (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)
I'm excited about the mention of Lory's in the report though, all of the Lorikeet aviaries I've been to have exclusively only had Lorikeets so I love that they're switching it up. Especially with Dr. Neves' connections, the possibilities are endless.

Something to also watch is @SZM mentioned one of the Rainforest exhibits under construction is the Coati exhibit (or former Coati exhibit now). This space historically has been to home to small cats and other mammals so it'll be interesting to see what will be moving in here soon since it the Coati's aren't returning for the time being they mentioned (the return of Ocelots would be pretty cool).
 
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