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If you spot a snake during your visit to the Zoo, don’t worry — just give it some space! Follow these steps to call in wild snake sightings in guest areas at the zoo! The snakes in our habitats are secure, but the Zoo is also home to wild native snakes that sometimes pass through. Whether in the Zoo or out in nature, remember to respect snakes and observe from a safe distance. 🐍

If you spot a snake during your visit to the Zoo, don’t worry — just give it some space! Follow these steps to call in wild snake sightings in guest areas at the zoo! The snakes in our habitats are secure, but the Zoo is also home to wild native snakes that sometimes pass through. Whether in the Zoo or out in nature, remember to respect snakes and observe from a safe distance. 🐍

If you spot a snake during your visit to the Zoo, don’t worry — just give it some space! Follow these steps to call in wild snake sightings in guest areas at the zoo! The snakes in our habitats are secure, but the Zoo is also home to wild native snakes that sometimes pass through. Whether in the Zoo or out in nature, remember to respect snakes and observe from a safe distance. 🐍

If you spot a snake during your visit to the Zoo, don’t worry — just give it some space! Follow these steps to call in wild snake sightings in guest areas at the zoo! The snakes in our habitats are secure, but the Zoo is also home to wild native snakes that sometimes pass through. Whether in the Zoo or out in nature, remember to respect snakes and observe from a safe distance. 🐍

If you spot a snake during your visit to the Zoo, don’t worry — just give it some space! Follow these steps to call in wild snake sightings in guest areas at the zoo! The snakes in our habitats are secure, but the Zoo is also home to wild native snakes that sometimes pass through. Whether in the Zoo or out in nature, remember to respect snakes and observe from a safe distance. 🐍

Starting your morning with a white- winged dove call🕊️🔊 Beyond their iconic calls, they are easily recognizable with the bold white stripe on their wings.🪽

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

Western lowland gorillas Bomassa and Apollo were both born here at the Zoo in 2012 to mothers Jamani and Olympia, respectively. The boys share the same father, N’kosi who passed away when Bomassa and Apollo were one year olds. But why are we highlighting this again right now? 👀

Because there is exciting news to share about these two moms, again! Together, Jamani and Olympia moved to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA in 2022 on a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Jamani and Olympia are (were🤭) once again pregnant together! Jamani JUST had her baby on May 18, and you can see her with her new little one on Woodland Park Zoo’s social channels😍➡️ @woodlandparkzoo

We wanted to share these throwback photos of the young boys with their mothers back in 2012! Both Bomassa and Apollo are still here at the Zoo. We can’t wait to see Jamani and Olympia together with their new little ones at Woodland Park Zoo. Olympia is due any day now!🥹 🦍

We REALLY like turtles here at the North Carolina Zoo! 🐢 These little reptiles are called Bog Turtles, they’re the smallest turtle species in North America AND they’re critically endangered! ⚠️ This species is specifically adapted to a unique habitat, known as “mountain bogs” which also host many rare plants. Their small clutch size makes them even more vulnerable.🥚 Remarkably, these tiny turtles are documented to live OVER 60 years in the wild! Next time you visit the Zoo, don’t miss these special turtles in the Streamside habitat. 💚

Check out this little amphibian, the Hickory Nut Gorge Salamander! 🦎 This salamander species is endangered, only found in Western North Carolina where their core habitat was destroyed during Hurricane Helene. They are known to live in caves, rock crevices and even trees! Making them an arboreal salamander species. 🌳 The Hickory Nut Gorge Salamander is identifiable by its slender brown to black body with bright yellow or lime green splotches all over its body. #SalamanderSaturday

Dropping in with baby chimp Gombe to make sure everyone knows that the Zoo is OPEN through the holiday weekend and on Memorial Day! 😍

Operating hours are the same, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. 🎟️ We hope to see you soon! 🩵

The results from the sand cat kitten naming poll are in! 👀🎉

You can now say hello to… ZIRI & ZAYN! 😻

More than 21,000 votes came in for the sand cat kitten naming poll! 🤯🗳️ The numbers for the winning names:
🐾 Ziri, for the female kitten with over 5,200 votes
🐾 Zayn, for the male kitten with over 7,100 votes

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted and helped name these adorable kittens! We love finding fun ways to get our guests involved and sharing these special moments with y’all. 💛

📸 Pictured in the middle of both kittens is mom, Sahara. Thank you to keeper Sam for this puuuurfect photo!

Piggy party! 🐽🐗🎉 Today, the Red River Hogs enjoyed a variety of enrichment from their amazing keepers, including a variety of hay and herbs, different scents, and special snacks like peanuts! 🥜 The video might be longer than usual but we couldn’t resist 🤭

Thank you for taking the time to read our posts and reflect on the mental load it takes to be a keeper. This will be the final post about zookeepers in this series. The next two features will focus on wildlife rehab staff and vet staff. 🐾

Burnout doesn’t ask what field you’re in. It just shows up. 😓

For zookeepers, burnout is layered:
➡ Constant vigilance
➡ Cumulative stress
➡ Emotional fatigue from always giving
➡ Isolation from those outside the field
➡ Imposter syndrome
➡ The negative connotation about zoos

When your whole life revolves around a job, and the job is as consuming as zookeeping, it’s hard to find balance. ⚖️

Decompression isn’t the same when you’re a zookeeper. When your job is outside, in the heat or cold, surrounded by animals, sometimes "taking a walk" doesn’t feel like self-care. And while many keepers have pets of their own, training and playing with them may not feel like self care either.

For many zookeepers, decompression can look like:
💅 Getting their nails or hair done: reclaiming a part of themselves outside of uniforms and muck boots
🎧 Listening to podcasts and music or reading books that aren’t about animals
🧘 Therapy, yoga, tattoos: anything that helps process and release cumulative stress
🎨 Being creative through art, writing or journaling: giving their brain a break to let their mind wander

It’s about remembering who you are outside the job, too. Let’s start having real conversations about mental health in animal care professions. Let’s normalize reaching out. Let’s normalize rest.

Thank you for taking the time to read our posts and reflect on the mental load it takes to be a keeper. This will be the final post about zookeepers in this series. The next two features will focus on wildlife rehab staff and vet staff. 🐾

Burnout doesn’t ask what field you’re in. It just shows up. 😓

For zookeepers, burnout is layered:
➡ Constant vigilance
➡ Cumulative stress
➡ Emotional fatigue from always giving
➡ Isolation from those outside the field
➡ Imposter syndrome
➡ The negative connotation about zoos

When your whole life revolves around a job, and the job is as consuming as zookeeping, it’s hard to find balance. ⚖️

Decompression isn’t the same when you’re a zookeeper. When your job is outside, in the heat or cold, surrounded by animals, sometimes "taking a walk" doesn’t feel like self-care. And while many keepers have pets of their own, training and playing with them may not feel like self care either.

For many zookeepers, decompression can look like:
💅 Getting their nails or hair done: reclaiming a part of themselves outside of uniforms and muck boots
🎧 Listening to podcasts and music or reading books that aren’t about animals
🧘 Therapy, yoga, tattoos: anything that helps process and release cumulative stress
🎨 Being creative through art, writing or journaling: giving their brain a break to let their mind wander

It’s about remembering who you are outside the job, too. Let’s start having real conversations about mental health in animal care professions. Let’s normalize reaching out. Let’s normalize rest.

Thank you for taking the time to read our posts and reflect on the mental load it takes to be a keeper. This will be the final post about zookeepers in this series. The next two features will focus on wildlife rehab staff and vet staff. 🐾

Burnout doesn’t ask what field you’re in. It just shows up. 😓

For zookeepers, burnout is layered:
➡ Constant vigilance
➡ Cumulative stress
➡ Emotional fatigue from always giving
➡ Isolation from those outside the field
➡ Imposter syndrome
➡ The negative connotation about zoos

When your whole life revolves around a job, and the job is as consuming as zookeeping, it’s hard to find balance. ⚖️

Decompression isn’t the same when you’re a zookeeper. When your job is outside, in the heat or cold, surrounded by animals, sometimes "taking a walk" doesn’t feel like self-care. And while many keepers have pets of their own, training and playing with them may not feel like self care either.

For many zookeepers, decompression can look like:
💅 Getting their nails or hair done: reclaiming a part of themselves outside of uniforms and muck boots
🎧 Listening to podcasts and music or reading books that aren’t about animals
🧘 Therapy, yoga, tattoos: anything that helps process and release cumulative stress
🎨 Being creative through art, writing or journaling: giving their brain a break to let their mind wander

It’s about remembering who you are outside the job, too. Let’s start having real conversations about mental health in animal care professions. Let’s normalize reaching out. Let’s normalize rest.

Puffin zoomies incoming… 👀

Happy 10th Birthday to Arctic fox, Kenickie! 🤍 🥳 At 10 years old, he is considered a geriatric animal but he is in great health. Being able to care for animals throughout all stages of their life is an honor, and it’s always special to celebrate an older milestone birthday! 🎉

Kenickie lives with his sister, Rizzo and they can typically both be found sleeping high up in their habitat. It can be difficult to tell them a part at times, but Kenickie has mostly black front claws, while Rizzo has mostly white front claws. 🐾

Happy 10th Birthday to Arctic fox, Kenickie! 🤍 🥳 At 10 years old, he is considered a geriatric animal but he is in great health. Being able to care for animals throughout all stages of their life is an honor, and it’s always special to celebrate an older milestone birthday! 🎉

Kenickie lives with his sister, Rizzo and they can typically both be found sleeping high up in their habitat. It can be difficult to tell them a part at times, but Kenickie has mostly black front claws, while Rizzo has mostly white front claws. 🐾

Happy 10th Birthday to Arctic fox, Kenickie! 🤍 🥳 At 10 years old, he is considered a geriatric animal but he is in great health. Being able to care for animals throughout all stages of their life is an honor, and it’s always special to celebrate an older milestone birthday! 🎉

Kenickie lives with his sister, Rizzo and they can typically both be found sleeping high up in their habitat. It can be difficult to tell them a part at times, but Kenickie has mostly black front claws, while Rizzo has mostly white front claws. 🐾

Happy 10th Birthday to Arctic fox, Kenickie! 🤍 🥳 At 10 years old, he is considered a geriatric animal but he is in great health. Being able to care for animals throughout all stages of their life is an honor, and it’s always special to celebrate an older milestone birthday! 🎉

Kenickie lives with his sister, Rizzo and they can typically both be found sleeping high up in their habitat. It can be difficult to tell them a part at times, but Kenickie has mostly black front claws, while Rizzo has mostly white front claws. 🐾

And we continue the discussion… 🧠❤️

When you assume zookeepers are bad people or don’t care about animals because they work at a zoo, you erase their dedication, compassion, and the science they bring to their work. And they don’t deserve that.

In fact, keepers often dedicate their entire lives to the animals. The long days, the emotional labor, the missed holidays, it’s all for the animals.

Yes, the history of zoos is complicated. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are conservation centers, education hubs, and safe havens. Most animals can’t go back to the wild because there is not a “wild” left for them, habitat loss and poaching made sure of that. 🌿

Yes, zookeepers do it for the animals,but they also do it for you. Yes, YOU! 🫵 For the millions of guests who walk through zoo gates each year, wide-eyed and curious.

Because maybe, just maybe, they’ll reach one person.
➡️ One person who falls in love with wildlife. 🐍
➡️ One person who changes their career to protect the planet. 🌎
➡️ One person who leaves seeing animals, and our role in their survival, differently. 🦍

So before you hear the word “zoo” and assume the worst, remember this: There are people behind that word. People who have devoted their lives to the animals in their care and to the hope that you’ll care, too. 🫶

And we continue the discussion… 🧠❤️

When you assume zookeepers are bad people or don’t care about animals because they work at a zoo, you erase their dedication, compassion, and the science they bring to their work. And they don’t deserve that.

In fact, keepers often dedicate their entire lives to the animals. The long days, the emotional labor, the missed holidays, it’s all for the animals.

Yes, the history of zoos is complicated. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are conservation centers, education hubs, and safe havens. Most animals can’t go back to the wild because there is not a “wild” left for them, habitat loss and poaching made sure of that. 🌿

Yes, zookeepers do it for the animals,but they also do it for you. Yes, YOU! 🫵 For the millions of guests who walk through zoo gates each year, wide-eyed and curious.

Because maybe, just maybe, they’ll reach one person.
➡️ One person who falls in love with wildlife. 🐍
➡️ One person who changes their career to protect the planet. 🌎
➡️ One person who leaves seeing animals, and our role in their survival, differently. 🦍

So before you hear the word “zoo” and assume the worst, remember this: There are people behind that word. People who have devoted their lives to the animals in their care and to the hope that you’ll care, too. 🫶

And we continue the discussion… 🧠❤️

When you assume zookeepers are bad people or don’t care about animals because they work at a zoo, you erase their dedication, compassion, and the science they bring to their work. And they don’t deserve that.

In fact, keepers often dedicate their entire lives to the animals. The long days, the emotional labor, the missed holidays, it’s all for the animals.

Yes, the history of zoos is complicated. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are conservation centers, education hubs, and safe havens. Most animals can’t go back to the wild because there is not a “wild” left for them, habitat loss and poaching made sure of that. 🌿

Yes, zookeepers do it for the animals,but they also do it for you. Yes, YOU! 🫵 For the millions of guests who walk through zoo gates each year, wide-eyed and curious.

Because maybe, just maybe, they’ll reach one person.
➡️ One person who falls in love with wildlife. 🐍
➡️ One person who changes their career to protect the planet. 🌎
➡️ One person who leaves seeing animals, and our role in their survival, differently. 🦍

So before you hear the word “zoo” and assume the worst, remember this: There are people behind that word. People who have devoted their lives to the animals in their care and to the hope that you’ll care, too. 🫶