What:
Why do giraffes have black tongues? What special techniques do keepers use to train or handle dangerous animals? Why do animals get physical check-ups? Go behind the scenes and experience the zoo in a different way! Eye-to-Eye tours give visitors the rare opportunity to see what's behind the scenes of our award-winning exhibits and meet the people who care for the animals.

Opportunities may include learning about the many challenges and rewards of animal management, hearing about year-round animal care, watching diet preparations, encountering animals up close and personal, and getting answers to the mysteries of zookeeping.

Eye-to-Eye tours are available for adults and children 8 years and older; individual attendees must be at least 18 years old.

Where:
Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle.

Cost:
$45 per person for Woodland Park Zoo members; $55 per person for nonmembers.

How:
Advance registration is required. For a registration form, visit the Eye-to-Eye page on the zoo's Web site. Mail in form with payment or fax form to 206.233.2663. Phone registrations are not accepted. If you would like a registration form mailed to you, call 206.684.4841.

Info:
For more information about Eye-to-Eye and other zoo classes and programs, call 206.684.4800 or visit www.zoo.org.

Woodland Park Zoo opens 365 days a year. Fall hours: the zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. through October 14.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, 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.