SEATTLE - Calling all kids who are passionate about wildlife and nature...Woodland Park Zoo invites kids ages 6-10 to submit a short essay for an opportunity to audition to be a ZooKid. Eight to 10 children will be chosen to serve as official ambassadors for the zoo’s new Zoomazium – an all-season nature play space for kids. ZooKids will be recruited to help design Zoomazium, serve as ambassadors at special events at the zoo and in the community, help give Zoomazium tours to the media and visitors and potentially represent Zoomazium in promotional campaigns.

“ ZooKids is a very fun, exciting opportunity for kids to reach out to the community and become a cub spokesperson for the zoo and for Zoomazium,” noted Zoomazium Program Manager Frank Hein. “We’re recruiting enthusiastic kids who can share their own true passion for wildlife and our natural world and inspire their families and friends to take an interest in becoming environmental stewards for the future.”

For a chance to audition, kids must submit: a 200-word maximum essay on “My connection with wildlife and nature and why I want to be a ZooKid”; a photo; and name, age, address, phone number, and email or parents’ email. Mail to: Woodland Park Zoo ZooKids, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103 or email: zookids@zoo.org. Essays and contact information must be received by July 22.

Based on the essays, the zoo will contact the top 50 candidates for an audition to recite a one-minute piece – either self-written or from any published work. For more information about becoming a ZooKid, call 206.233.7076.

ZooKids will receive a cool, hip uniform designed by a local artisan and owner of an online children’s clothing retailer, Black Wagon.

Zoomazium opens its doors in spring 2006. The 8,500-square-foot learning center will focus on nature-based opportunities for families and children ages 8 and under and on the special connection that children share with nature. Children will enjoy a fun, playful space using whole body play that allows their imagination to soar.

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.