Editor note: Please credit photographers. The Butterfly photo is by Kelly Cline, the carousel photo is by Mat Hayward (Mat, with one T)

Butterflies & Blooms:
Woodland Park Zoo’s seasonal Butterflies & Blooms exhibit will close for the winter on October 2. The exhibit, which just wrapped up its ninth 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 a tenth season in spring 2007.

Antique Carousel:
The zoo’s vintage carousel will close for the winter on October 2. Woodland Park Zoo’s North Meadow is the permanent location for 48 classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses and the lovingly restored vintage 1918 carousel they call home. These magical and playful creatures are one-of-a-kind…and are sure to bring out the inner child in everyone. The carousel was the 45th carousel constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. Famous for its dedication to engineering masterworks and exquisitely carved horses – many hand-carved by master craftsman John Zalar – the Philadelphia Toboggan Company produced some of the most beautiful carousels ever constructed. The carousel will open again in late spring of 2007.

Wyland Clean Water Tour Maze:
The Wyland Clean Water Tour Maze will close on October 5. The Wyland Clean Water Tour Maze, sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities, is a great opportunity to learn more about the Earth’s most vital resource through the excitement of play! With graphics created by renowned marine-life artist Wyland, the Maze gives kids the chance to become actively engaged through play about the importance of water both in their homes and the world’s oceans, rivers, lakes and wetlands.

General zoo information:

Hours: Fall hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily through October 15. Winter hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily October 16 through April 30. The zoo is open 365 days of the year.

Zoo admission: Adult (13-64) $10.50; Child (3-12) $7.50; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and disabled receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round. Parking: $4.00. Parking is limited. Please call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.

Info: For more information, 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, 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.