Calendar Advisory Contact: Gigi Allianic, Wendy Hochnadel
June 28, 2005 206.684.4838
cell: 206.349.3533
Zoo hours
Summer hours — May 1 through September 14, the zoo opens at 9:30
a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. daily.
What’s new!
*** New *** Willawong
Station – The Bird Feeding Experience - 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily through
Labor Day; weekends and school holidays only September 6, 2005 through March
31, 2006.
This new walk-thru bird feeding experience transports
visitors to the world of the Australian parrot – and the Australian grasslands
habitat – right here at the zoo. 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. Visitors are charged an additional admission of
$1, which includes a seed stick to feed the birds; free for kids 2 and under;
$1 for each additional seed stick.
Programs are effective July 1 through September 5, 2005 except as noted. Locations of programs are posted at South, West and North zoo entries.
African Village Exploration — 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Explore the seen and often unseen elements of the African Village with zoo staff. See how this exciting exhibit illustrates life in an East African village.
African Village Theater — 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Share an unforgettable experience of African culture through storytelling.
African Savanna Safari — 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Join our African Savanna specialist for a walk around the zoo’s African Savanna. He’ll share amazing stories of his personal encounters with African wild dogs, hippos, lions and other wildlife.
Animal Contact Experience — 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. Touch domestic farm animals and learn more about them in supervised areas at the Family Farm. Subject to cancellation due to weather and animal availability.
Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden — 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Zoo horticulture staff discuss how to attract a variety of beautiful butterflies to your garden.
Brown Bears — noon Tuesdays and Fridays. How much does a brown bear weigh at birth? Does the brown bear really hibernate? Meet zoo staff to find out answers to these questions and learn more interesting facts about the mighty brown bear.
Croc Talk — 1:30 p.m. Mondays. Are crocodiles endangered? Do they eat everything in their sight? Learn more about these impressive African reptiles, and meet a zookeeper as they feed the crocodiles.
Discovery Barn — 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. While visiting the Family Farm, stop by the Discovery Barn to discover the world of wildlife through self-directed activities, crafts and a variety of “hands-on” experiences!
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.
Gorillas — 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Did you know that gorillas are more closely related
to humans than they are to orangutans? Meet zoo staff and discover more about
the amazing gorillas.
Hippos — 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. Here’s your chance to see the zoo’s hippos up close and ask staff questions about these immense animals.
Hornbills — 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Learn more about the hornbills at Woodland Park Zoo. Discover how the zoo and you can help them in the tropical rain forests of southeast Asia. See other exotic birds up close.
Jaguars — 2:30 p.m. Fridays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The reclusive jaguar is the largest feline in the
New World. Did you know that jaguars are strong swimmers and follow their prey
into water during the chase? Join zoo staff and learn more about this amazing
cat.
Jaguar Quest — noon and 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Join a zoo interpreter in this reenactment of a day in the life as a jaguar researcher. Discover “tricks of the trade” researchers use to study the elusive jaguar and its tropical habitat. Hear amazing stories of close-up encounters with wild animals.
Jive On Jaguars — 1:00 Wednesdays through Saturdays. Join zoo staff on a tour of the amazing jaguar exhibit. Discover hidden secrets about the exhibit that most visitors never notice. Learn about the zoo's jaguars and jaguars in the wild.
Malayan Tapirs — 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Is a tapir related to a pig? How do Malayan tapirs dive deep under water to evade predators? Talk to zoo staff and discover more about these highly endangered species.
Orangutans — 11:30 a.m. Thursdays. In the Malay language, orang means “people” and utan means “forest,” thus orangutan means “people of the forest.” Meet zoo staff and discover more about these magnificent animals.
Penguin Feeding — 11:00 a.m. Fridays. Talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed fish to the endangered Humboldt penguins.
Piranha Feeding — 11:15 a.m. Fridays. Here’s your chance to talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed the piranha. You’ll learn about the natural history and captive management of this amazing predator.
Pony Rides — 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only. Line closes at 3:30 p.m., and last ride is at 4:00 p.m. Located next to the North Meadow, guided pony rides are $2.00 each. Children must be at least 2 years old and under 4 ft. tall to ride.
Raptors — 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays,
Sundays
2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
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.
Snow Leopards — 11:00 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Did you know that snow leopards can spring on prey up to 30 feet away? Meet zoo staff and learn other interesting facts about these shy, nocturnal and virtually unknown animals.
Tigers — 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays. Did you know that tigers are only successful 10% of the time while hunting? Meet zoo staff and learn more about these fantastic felines.
Wolves/Elk — 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Here’s your opportunity to learn how these predators
and prey co-exist in their wild environment and with humans.
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 Web site at www.zoo.org.
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 Web site at www.zoo.org.
Learn more about Woodland Park Zoo’s connection to
conservation programs around the globe and the region. Docents will be on
grounds this summer to share 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
Be on the lookout for a Habitat Rambler wearing an
“Ask Me” button. With a variety of animal props and enrichment items used by
keepers, volunteer Habitat Ramblers provide 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.
Do ponies need to be brushed daily? How much do ponies eat? How do you put a saddle on a pony? Find out the answers to these questions and more during our Trailside Chat. Meet a Pony Leader near the Pony Ring. Program times vary; times are listed at the Trailside Chat area.
Zoo Overnight and Evening Adventures (fee based)
The roar of a lion, the thump of a…Hey! What was that? Come find out during a Zoo Overnight or Evening Adventure! Meet a zookeeper, enjoy hands-on encounters with amazing creatures and prowl the zoo grounds. Pick up a flyer at the Education Center or call 206.684.4841 for reservations. Information and registration are also available on our Web site at www.zoo.org.
Summer events
Butterflies & Blooms Reopening æ
May 13 through September 30, 10:00
a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily.
Back for its eighth year, 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, a colorful explosion of flowering plants in bloom and an outdoor conservation garden. Cost: $1 in addition to zoo admission; free for kids 2 and under.
Washington Mutual ZooTunes Concert Series æ July 20 – August 31
It’s the 22nd year for the ever-popular summer concert series that continues to offer the best concert bargain in the Pacific Northwest. Pop and singer-songwriter artists perform outdoors in the zoo’s North Meadow with festival seating. Blankets, low-backed chairs and picnic baskets are welcome. Tickets are on sale at all Metropolitan Market locations: Sand Point, Queen Anne, West Seattle, Dash Point and Proctor. They are on sale each day at Metropolitan Market from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Visit www.metropolitan-market.com for store locations. Call the Washington Mutual ZooTunes hotline at 206.615.0076 for more information or visit the zoo’s Web site at www.zoo.org.
Wells Fargo presents: Woodland Park Zoo's 29th
Annual Jungle Party æ July 8, 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo Presents: Woodland Park
Zoo's 29th Annual Jungle Party: Beijing ~ Jewel of the Middle
Kingdom. The zoo's North Meadow will be transformed into the sights, sounds and
culture of the great country of China. The evening's festivities include the
opportunity to bid on several hundred exciting auction items and experiences,
live entertainment, up-close animal experiences for patron guests, a gourmet
sit-down dinner and open bars. More than 1,000 of the Northwest's civic and
philanthropic leaders attend Jungle Party each summer, which raises over $1.1
million each year.
The fundraising auction and dinner supports the zoo's animal care and conservation and education programs. For more information, contact Laurie Schmertz, Jungle Party auction manager, at 206.733.9749.
General information
Hours: Zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. daily, 365 days of the year. Closing times vary: 5:00 p.m. March 15 through April 30; 6:00 p.m. May 1 through September 14; 5:00 p.m. September 15 through October 14; 4:00 p.m. October 15 through March 14.
Zoo admission: Adult (13-64) $10; Child (3-12) $7; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and disabled receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round.
Parking: $3.50. Parking is limited. Please call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.
Gifts/Food: Visit the ZooStore for unique gifts and zoo souvenirs and the Rain Forest Food Pavilion 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 Web site at www.zoo.org.