*** CALENDAR ADVISORY ***
For immediate release Contact: Gigi Allianic, Wendy Hochnadel
September 19, 2007 206.684.4838
cell: 206.349.3533
Editor note: Information is subject to change.
Zoo hours
October 1-April 30: 9:30
a.m.- 4:00 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas Day.
Butterflies and summer safari
experience come to a close
Butterflies & Blooms
It’s the final weekend before Butterflies & Blooms closes its doors for the season. The serene experience treats visitors to a vibrant
display of nearly 1,000 free-flying butterflies representing at least 15 North
American species at all times. Experience a colorful explosion of flowering
plants in bloom and an outdoor conservation garden. Free with zoo admission. The
last day is Sunday, September 30,
9:30 a.m.-6:00
p.m.
Maasai Journey
Maasai Journey wraps up
its safari experience. The final weekend is Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30
for visitors to experience a glimpse into the wonders of the African savanna
with its awe-inspiring wildlife and the Maasai people who live there. Visitors
have an opportunity to feed giraffes, the watchtowers of the savanna, from a
platform in the award-winning African Savanna. Stunning ostrich rove the
Savanna, making their first appearance at the zoo in more than 40 years. Keeper
talks give visitors a chance to directly learn about their favorite savanna
animals from those who care for them, while docents further enlighten visitors
about the animals, the people and conservation projects in Africa.
Fall programs
Programs
are effective October 1 through October 31, 2007 except as noted. Locations of
programs are posted at all zoo entries.
Elephant Talk – 2:00 p.m. daily. Meet the elephant keepers and learn about the zoo’s magnificent elephants. Discover how Woodland Park Zoo supports elephant conservation in the wild and what you can do to help create a sustainable future for wildlife.
Humboldt Penguin Feeding –
11:00 a.m. Fridays. Here’s your chance
to talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed fish to the endangered Humboldt
penguins.
Ocelot Feeding – 11:30 a.m. Fridays. Watch zoo staff feed live fish to an ocelot and
learn how keepers use a variety of feeding techniques to enrich the lives of
the zoo’s animals.
Piranha Feeding – 11:15 a.m. Fridays. Talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed live fish to the piranha. You’ll learn about the natural history and captive management of this amazing predator.
Raptors – 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. Keepers will introduce you to our resident raptors. Learn more about these hunters of other birds, mammals and fish. Subject to cancellation due to weather.
Reticulated Python Snake Feeding – 11:30 a.m. October 25 only. Snakes swallow their prey whole, and can eat large animals relative to their own size. Find out how while watching a keeper feed an 18’ reticulated python or other large snake in the Day Exhibit. Program is dependent on the snake’s appetite (prey fed to snake is not alive).
Yellow Anaconda Snake Feeding – 1:30 p.m. October 4 only. Snakes swallow their prey whole, and can eat large animals relative to their own size. Find out how while watching a keeper feed a 10’ yellow anaconda in the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. Program is dependent on the snake’s appetite (prey fed to snake is not alive).
More fun…
Zoomazium – 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. If you’re 8 and under (and, of course, parents), you’ll love Zoomazium! The new indoor, nature play space offers play and learning in a fun, safe and stimulating environment all year long. Here, kids can connect with animals, habitats and more through the natural language of childhood – play! Crawl through a hidden cave. Squirm through a nurse log. Climb a giant strangler fig tree. Trade observations for nature items at the Nature Exchange. The interactive center is near the West Entrance. Free with zoo admission.
Willawong Station, the
Bird Feeding Experience – 10:00 a.m.-3:00
p.m. daily beginning October 1. Seedsticks available weekends and school
holidays only beginning October 1.
The popular walk-through bird feeding experience transports
visitors to the world of the Australian parrot – and the Australian
grasslands habitat. Willawong Station is a fun opportunity for the whole family
to get up close and feed birds in a controlled, safe environment while learning
about responsible care for birds both in the wild and at home. The aviary
includes approximately 150 free-flying birds, primarily small colorful
Australian parrots. Free with zoo admission. Seedsticks are $1 each.
Historic Carousel, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. Woodland Park Zoo’s North Meadow is the permanent habitat for 48 classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses and the lovingly restored vintage 1918 carousel they call home. These magical and playful creatures are one-of-a-kind…and are sure to bring out the inner child in everyone. The carousel was the 45th carousel constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. Famous for its dedication to engineering masterworks and exquisitely carved horses – most hand-carved by master craftsman John Zalar – the Philadelphia Toboggan Company produced some of the most beautiful carousels ever constructed. Cost: $2 per ride in addition to zoo admission.
Bug Club (fee based)
Do you think crickets are cool and ants are outrageous? Then
join Bug Club! Bug Club is for children 5 years and older who love bugs! Bug
Club meets one Sunday per month. For information or an application, call
206.684.4841 or see the website at www.zoo.org.
Classes and Camps (fee
based)
A wide variety of classes for children, families and adults
are offered on weekends throughout the year. From Early Bird Zoo Tours that take you behind the scenes
with a keeper to Evening Story Safaris for preschoolers to photography at the
zoo for adults and teens…there are many exciting opportunities for individuals
or the whole family! Zooper Day Camps, for children ages 4 – 13, are offered during school
vacations throughout the year. For information or an application, call
206.684.4841 or see the website at www.zoo.org.
Conservation Connections
Learn more about Woodland Park Zoo’s
involvement in conservation programs around the world and in our region. Meet a
docent at various exhibits to find out how the zoo and you can actively
participate in ongoing efforts to conserve wildlife, from snow leopards to wild
dogs.
Habitat Ramblers: Look for the "Ask Me"
button
Habitat Ramblers can be found in the African Savanna, Northern Trail,
Tropical Asia or Tropical Rain Forest. With a variety of animal props and
enrichment items used by keepers, volunteer Habitat Ramblers share information
about bioclimatic zones, animal enrichment activities and conservation
efforts.
Reptiles on Wheels/Bugs on Wheels
While visiting the zoo, look for special carts with banners titled “Reptiles on Wheels” or “Bugs on Wheels.” Stop by and see strange and beautiful reptiles or bugs up close.
Zoo Overnight and Evening Adventures (fee based)
Grab
a flock of your favorite ‘detective’ friends and join zoo staff to unravel the
Mystery of the Missing Penguin. Has he flown the coop? Did someone plan the
perfect penguin caper? Is this a case of ‘fowl’ play? During your adventure
you’ll come up-close and personal with an interesting zoo resident and get the
inside scoop on our animals. Follow a trail of evidence on a guided zoo tour to
determine whodunit.
Pick up a flyer at the Education Center or call 206.684.4839 for reservations. Information and registration are also available on our website at www.zoo.org.
Fall events
Pumpkin Prowl presented by Bartell Drugs – October
26, 27 and 28, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween at the zoo’s newly expanded, ghoulishly fun Pumpkin Prowl. The after-hours event features treats for your little goblins, carved pumpkins and live entertainment. And be sure to check out Zoomazium transformed into Boomazium! Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear costumes! Beginning October 1, advance tickets can be purchased at all Bartell Drugs locations and at Woodland Park Zoo gates during zoo hours. Tickets also can be purchased at the event. Ticket prices: $9 adults; $7 children 17 and under; free for children 2 and under. There is a $2 discount if tickets are purchased at Bartell Drugs. This is an after-hours fundraiser so regular zoo membership privileges do not apply. For more information, visit www.zoo.org or call the zoo’s events hotline at 206.615.0076.
Pumpkin Bash –
October 27 and 28, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Pumpkins abound at Woodland
Park Zoo. Enjoy a repertoire of animal behavior as hippos, bears, elephants,
monkeys, and other animals crunch, smash or stomp on pumpkins at the zoo’s
Pumpkin Bash! The pumpkins are a part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to
help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior,
keep animals mentally and physically stimulated and provide added enjoyment for
zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission. Visit www.zoo.org
after October 12 for a schedule.
General information
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily October 1-April 30; 9:30
a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily May 1-September 30. The zoo is open every day except
Christmas Day.
Admission: October 1-April 30: Adult (13-64) $10.50; Child (3-12) $7.50. May 1-September 30: Adult (13-64) $15; Child (3-12) $10. Free for children 2 and under year round. Seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year round.
Parking: $4.00. Parking is limited. Please call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.
Gifts/Food: Visit the ZooStore for extraordinary gifts and zoo souvenirs. Stop by the Rain Forest Food Pavilion or other concessionaire locations to quench your thirst or appetite. Open daily during regular zoo hours.
Info: For more
information and how to become a zoo member, call 206.684.4800 or 684.4026
(TTY), or visit the zoo’s website at www.zoo.org.