For immediate release              
Contact:              Gigi Allianic, Wendy Hochnadel

April 30, 2004                                                                                                  206-684-4838 cell: 206-349-3533

Spiders are coming to Woodland Park Zoo! Masters of the Web

SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo's new spider exhibit, Masters of the Web presented by Washington Mutual, transforms “Bug” World and the Forest Farm & You building into the fascinating world of spiders. The new exhibit opens May 29 through October 31, 2004 and is free with zoo admission.

Masters of the Web invites visitors to d iscover the amazing traits of 17 spectacular species of exotic and local spiders: the mystery of web building and silk weaving, how spiders capture and kill prey, which spiders are medically significant and which ones aren't. Visitors also will enjoy a variety of interactive and fun family experiences. Masters of the Web aims to help people better understand what spiders' roles are in our everyday lives and in the ecosystems upon which our lives depend.

Three segments weave the exhibit together: Web Courtyard, Spider World and Spiders on Trial. The exhibit includes the amazing structures built by spiders, whether they are the familiar but elaborate spirals woven by orb web garden spiders, funnel webs, or the silk-lined burrows of ground-living spiders. It also highlights the amazing adaptations of spiders such as the big and beautiful Mexican red knee tarantula, the green lynx spider's cool camouflage, fishing spiders, daring jumping spiders and many more. It will also include information about living safely among local spiders while dispelling many myths.

“Every creature plays an important role in our environment. Spiders have received very little attention from both zoos and the conservation community as a whole,” says Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah B. Jensen.

“Masters of the Web teaches people how amazing spiders are, as well as what their roles are in our ecosystems.”

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, top award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo's mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet's future.

Woodland Park Zoo opens 9:30 a.m. daily every day of the year. For more information about the exhibit visit the zoo's Web site at www.zoo.org.