SEATTLE - Ahhh, the sweet smell of spring is in the air, the sweet smell of Woodland Park Zoo Doo, that is. And, the sweet smells usher in the zoo's annual Spring Fecal Fest. The pungent piles of poop have cooked away hot as ever through the dry winter, producing endless mounds of the richest, highly aromatic, most exotic compost in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, new to the zoo this spring is Dr. Doo's newest product, Zoo Broo, a compost tea for your garden, which is being sold at the ZooStore in gallon-size jugs.

So now's your chance to purchase a load of that rich, multi-species feces known as Woodland Park Zoo Doo. Again, due to the ever-increasing poopularity and in response to jammed phone lines during past Fecal Fests, Dr. Doo is accepting mail-in orders only.

You have from February 23 through March 14 to mail in your request. Remember, you may submit one request only. Phone orders will not be taken. However, if you just need more information, be sure to call the poop line at (206) 625-POOP.

This is how it works: send a 3"x5" note card or standard postcard to: Zoo Doo, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103. Include the following information:

• Name
• Day/evening phone numbers
• Amount of Zoo Doo you'd like to purchase (anything from a garbage bag to a full-size pick-up truck load)
• Weekday or weekend preference for pick-up

Pick-up dates will begin March 31 and continue through April 8. Dr. Doo will draw approximately 250 orders and will notify the lucky ones only. The Fecal Fests traditionally sell out. And remember, you load your Woodland Park Zoo Doo yourself, using shovels the zoo provides.

Prices for pick-up trucks are 8x4 bed $50; 6x4 bed $40; 6x3 bed $35. Garbage cans are $6 to $10, and bags are $3 to $6 depending on size. Limit one full truck per person. Two-gallon and pint-sized buckets also are available in the ZooStore for $10.95 and $2.95, respectively. If you'd like to wear Woodland Park Zoo Doo, Woodland Park Zoo Doo T-shirts can be purchased in the ZooStore.

If you have questions or need more information, call the poop line at (206) 625-POOP or visit the ZooDoo information page.