JAN 29, 2026 4:00 AM
Ungodly frigid temperatures and a record-breaking snowfall stopped many
Pittsburghers in their tracks. Meanwhile, at the Pittsburgh Zoo &
Aquarium, some animals are watching TV, and at the National Aviary, a
number of cold-hardy birds are grooving in the snow and cold
temperatures.
Staff at both institutions either spent the night, from Saturday into
Monday, or walked in during the storm to care for the animals.
The Pittsburgh Zoo transferred between 300 to 400 of its mammals and
birds from outdoor habitats to their “night dens” — enclosures attached to
their exhibits, which keepers regularly access for maintenance, said Kelsey
Forbes, the zoo’s curator of mammals.
While some animals could endure the extreme weather conditions, the zoo
didn’t want to risk the structural failure of the exhibits or an animal injury
in slippery conditions.
The National Aviary allows some cold-hardy birds, such as the Andean
condor and Steller’s sea eagle, to reside in their outdoor enclosures, which
feature protected and warm areas. But other species, such as the African
penguins, were brought indoors.
“We do extra things for our animals because we can,” said Christa Gaus,
senior manager of animal programs at the National Aviary.
The zoo enjoys a relationship with the National Weather Service and
receives important weather alerts, while providing the agency with reports
of conditions at the zoo.
Knowing the bad weather was coming, staffers made plans to move the
hundreds of outdoor animals. Luring zoo animals to their night dens and
keeping the animals amused, however, was another matter.
“For our cats, we make giant beds out of hay and spray cool scents.
Perfumes are big with them. Calvin Klein’s Obsession is really popular with
our male lion, Hondo,” Ms. Forbes said, adding that the zoo will take
donations of the scent for the African lion.
For the primates and giraffes, zookeepers make their “bedrooms as inviting
as possible,” she said, with supplements including “browse,” or cut willow
and bamboo branches. “We bring the outside in for them.”
The zookeepers are also spending extra time with the animals, who are “big
on movies,” Ms. Forbes said.
They have been playing movies for a variety of animals, including “Finding
Nemo,” which was a big hit for lions “They apparently watched the whole
thing.”
During the pandemic, when the zoo was closed, the keepers discovered
many animals liked looking at people.
“There was a noticeable difference in their behavior when we weren’t open.
“Lewis the giraffe, the longtime male who is 19, loves watching people — it’s
his favorite hobby.”
Lewis recognizes repeat guests and staff, and follows them.
“He enjoys watching movies just so long as there are people in them,” Ms.
Forbes said. And Lewis is partial to action flicks.
When the zoo breaks ground on a much larger giraffe barn this year, Lewis
should be especially happy with the windows.
“He will be able to see people year-round, and they will be able to see him.”
During the snowfall on Sunday, zoo staff also provided a private respite for
the penguins by letting them run around in the fresh snow.
The National Aviary’s decision to move a bird from an outdoor exhibit to
the indoors depends on the species and individual bird, said Ms. Gaus.
The winter-hardy Andean condor, Eurasian eagle owl and Steller’s sea
eagle were good to go.
“Andean condors, which live in the high altitudes of the Andean mountains,
are built with adaptations to help them thrive in these frigid temperatures,”
she said.
Thick feathers — including a dense collar around the neck — and a large
body mass help keep the bird warm and insulated, she said.
In the Eagle Hall outdoor exhibits that visitors can view from inside, the
Steller’s sea eagles and Eurasian eagle owls have stayed outdoors
throughout the recent snow and below-zero night temperatures.
The birds have access to cover, to escape the snow and the exhibits have
some heated areas.
“The male Eurasian eagle owl was out Sunday letting the snow fall on him
and was walking around in it,” Ms. Gaus said.
Native bald eagles such as Stella, who nests on U.S. Steel Irvin Plant
property in West Mifflin, didn’t flinch on Sunday during the
snowstorm. The steelmakers’ live webcam and the Facebook group Steel
City Eagles captured a snow-covered Stella spending the night in her nest.
The Aviary, however, doesn’t want to push it for other bird species, given a
long string of extremely cold days.
The African penguins, which live in a warmer climate, have been moved
behind the scenes, for instance. Even though their habitat features heated
rocks and caves and their water is open, the conditions are too cold.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we moved the penguins and the bald
eagles behind the scenes,” she said.
They also moved the barred owls from the outdoors.
Although local bald eagles and barred owls can survive current winter
conditions, these Aviary specimens were once injured and have limited
capabilities.
Again, it’s not worth the risk, she said.
“Everybody is thriving and doing well,” Ms. Gaus said. “We are all
anxiously waiting for spring, people included.”
Stella the bald eagle stayed in her nest on the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant property in West Mifflin
during Sunday’s snowstorm.
Zoo and aviary staffers came in during the closures to ensure all facilities
were working throughout the inclement weather.
At least 10 animal keepers, plus others, stayed Saturday night through
Monday morning, Ms. Forbes said. Zookeepers checked on the animals
every few hours and walked the zoo while the grounds team continued to
plow.
The Aviary also had maintenance staff and others, many who live nearby,
come in to look after the birds and facilities.
Open on Wednesday, The Aviary has cleared its large parking lot behind its
facilities but could not vouch for the condition of nearby city street parking.
It will continue its regular winter hours through the week.
The zoo is planning to reopen on Saturday, given the enormous task of
snow removal. Check the zoo’s social media sites for updates.