WHAT: Join Sandra Braun, owner of Adventure Associates, for a slide-illustrated lecture on the "Yellowstone Park Wildlife Cross-Country Ski Safari." This evening is part of the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures travel program, which offers the ultimate in educational wildlife experiences.

In addition to the lecture, meet Woodland Park Zoo’s escort to Yellowstone, Keith Yoshida, director of creative services at the zoo.

WHAT: It’s the "year for the tiger" and Woodland Park Zoo is roaring with excitement over a new endangered, male Sumatran tiger. Rakata (RAW-kuh-tuh), 5, arrived from Toronto Zoo and has spent the last two months becoming acclimated to his new home. Rakata is Indonesian for "little volcano."

Zookeepers are currently attempting to introduce Rakata to 17-year-old Judie, the zoo’s only other Sumatran tiger. Introduction efforts are taking place behind the scenes, which is off view to the public. For now, Rakata and Judie will alternate being on public view. Last September, Judie lost her 19-year-old companion, Sig, following a series of medical problems.

While the 1998 Chinese lunar calendar again celebrates the tiger, its chances for survival in the wild are in doubt. Habitat destruction, overpopulation and the use of tiger parts for traditional Asian medicines have caused three tiger subspecies to go extinct and have depleted the remaining population by 95%. Today, it is estimated that only 6,000 to 8,000 tigers remain in the wild.

Rakata’s public debut is just in time for a special exhibition at the zoo. Tigers in Crisis will be on display near the Sumatran tiger exhibit until November 13. Sponsored by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), Exxon, and the National Fish and Wildlife Service, the purpose of the national traveling exhibit is to help increase awareness of the plight of tigers. Visitors will learn about how the majestic tiger is rapidly disappearing from our world, the problems they face, and what zoos and other conservation organizations are doing to help prevent their extinction.

WHEN: Thursday, August 13, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Woodland Park Zoo’s tiger grotto. Enter through the zoo’s ARC near the West Gate at N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Staff will escort you to the tiger grotto or you can go there directly.

OTHER: Tigers in Crisis offers five free-standing kiosks highlighted with dramatic life-size tiger cut-outs, photography and hands-on activities that engage visitors into the story of this majestic species. Each kiosk tells a different chapter on the story of tigers, with the objective of educating visitors about the plight of tigers and encouraging them to make a commitment to help these magnificent creatures. Learn how the tiger is rapidly disappearing from our world, the problems they face, and what zoos and other conservation organizations are doing to help prevent their extinction.

As the largest members of the cat family, tigers are solitary hunters and prefer to hunt large mammals such as wild boar, deer, elk and buffalo. Tigers prefer tropical to temperate forest habitats where their stripes help camouflage them in the underbrush.

Only 300 to 400 Sumatran tigers, found only on the island of Sumatra, exist in the wild today; the remaining four tiger subspecies are also highly endangered.