The 2007 Christmas day mauling-to-death at the zoo may have diminished the Zoo’s status as a top destination for furry cuddliness and adorability on parade. The Annual Valentine’s Day Woo at the Zoo might just seal the deal that this is no place for kids. It’s a veritable den of sex and violence.

The adults-only sex tour includes racy tid bits of beastly canoodling – plus champagne and covered strawberries. Zoo experts will answer burning questions like: do giraffes prefer Barry White or Beyonce? Is it wrong to give a box of chocolates to a dieting hippo? Are penguins really frigid?

While learning about the birds and the bees of lions and tigers, animal lovers can also make a pit stop to see the fruits of animal labor – a new baby western lowland gorilla, born Monday, December 8. He might not yet be ready for his close up but you can view him affixed to his baby bottle via the zoo’s podcast, (where you can watch wildlife from your iPod)


The baby mama -- Monifa, a first time mom -- proved a little lacking in maternal affection. She was moving away from the nest and avoiding eye contact, so the zoo vets are now trying to find a surrogate mom for the little ape. With baby rejection, there’s also a risk of baby snatching and aggressive behavior from other females in the troop.

Apparently, its hard out there for a chimp.