Seattle - Woodland Park Zoo’s Butterflies & Blooms exhibit will close for the winter on October 1. The exhibit, which just wrapped up its seventh successful season, is a serene experience that treats visitors to a vibrant display of nearly 1,000 free-flying butterflies representing at least 15 North American species, a colorful explosion of flowering plants in bloom and an outdoor conservation garden. Butterflies & Blooms will return for an eighth season in May 2005. For more information about the zoo’s butterflies check out the Butterflies & Blooms section of the zoo's Web site.

Raptor Center closed for renovation:
The zoo’s Raptor Center is closed for renovation until approximately the end of October.

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 extraordinary 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.

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.