March 25, 2008

Calendar Advisory:

Zoo’s EcoWeekend packed with paws, claws, coffee and more

Contact:
Gigi Allianic, Ric Brewer
206.684.4838; c:206.349.3533
gigi.allianic@zoo.org
ric.brewer@zoo.org

What:
EcoWeekend at Woodland Park Zoo presented by ShoreBank Pacific and The Boeing Company promises a host of fun activities for all ages, particularly if you’re a fan of bears, wolves, primates, chocolate and coffee. The four-day event, April 3-6, puts the spotlight on animals, humans, the wild places we share and the changes we can make to positively impact the planet.

Photo: Ric Brewer

When:
Thursday through Sunday, April 3-6. Each day’s activities begin at 9:30 a.m.; ending times vary.

Where:
Visitors may enter Woodland Park Zoo through the South Entrance at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.; the West Entrance at N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N.; or the North Entrance off N. 59th St. & Phinney Ave. N.

Cost:
EcoWeekend is free with zoo admission.

EVENTS:
A different theme is presented each day of EcoWeekend: Leap Through the Zoo presented by PCC Natural Markets; Primetime for Primates; Bear Affair & The Big Howl for Wolves presented by Brown Bear Car Wash; and Coffee & Chocolate Festival. Highlights include a ceremony to announce the winning name of the zoo’s 5-month-old gorilla, and grizzly bears tearing into a “non-safe” campsite complete with a tent, cooler, pots and pans and camping food. Complimentary Clif Nectar Bars will be given away each day to visitors.

EcoWeekend also kicks off cell phone recycling at the zoo. Through the rest of the year, bring your used cell phone and drop it off at any zoo gate. Funds from the recycling will benefit the non-profit Orangutan Conservancy, which helps preserve the endangered populations of orangutans and their rain forest habitat.

Leap Through the Zoo presented by PCC Natural Markets, Thursday, April 3, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – It’s a salute to frogs and other amphibians as families are invited to hop, jump and leap to Zoomazium and other nearby exhibits showcasing frogs. A crafts area invites kids to decorate frogs on their runner number and a Croak-a-Ribbit puppet show and other activities are held in Zoomazium’s nature play space. PCC Kid Picks mobile offers opportunities for “taste testing” healthy, nutritional kid-friendly foods.

Primetime for Primates, Friday, April 4, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – At last, the zoo’s baby gorilla gets a name! The baby gorilla naming contest, presented by Ivar’s, Kidd Valley and the zoo, culminates with a naming ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at the gorilla exhibit, with complimentary babycakes by Cupcake Royale (while supplies last). Special keeper talks, a puppet show in Zoomazium, and activities focus on orangutans, gorillas and siamangs. Don’t forget to get a free “Proud to be a primate” sticker and meet Ivar’s Clam.

Bear Affair & The Big Howl for Wolves presented by Brown Bear Car Wash, Saturday, April 5, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – A tribute is paid to bears and wolves with keeper talks, enrichment treats for bears and wolves, mini-presentations on wild grizzly bears and conservation by the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) and more. See what happens when food isn’t stored properly or garbage is left around while camping in bear country, as the zoo’s grizzlies eagerly tear through a non-safe campsite in their naturalistic exhibit. From 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., roll up your sleeves and join a work party to help restore the backyard of Zoomazium’s nature play space.

Coffee & Chocolate Festival, Sunday, April 6, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Tasty samples of eco-friendly coffees from local vendors and organic, fair trade chocolate by Theo Chocolate are sure to delight your palate. Learn about the zoo’s efforts to go green, and how you can too, such as food composting and natural yard care. Coffee samples are provided by Starbucks Coffee, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Caffe Appassionato, Grounds for Change, Tony’s Coffees & Teas and Pura Vida. From 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., roll up your sleeves and join a work party to help restore the backyard of Zoomazium’s nature play space.

Info:
The zoo opens 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily through April 30. Admission through April 30: Adult (13-64) $11.00; Child (3-12) $8.00; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round.
Parking: $4.50. Consider taking the bus, biking, walking or carpooling. Conserving resources is one more way of helping the animals. Call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.
For more information about EcoWeekend and how to become a member of the zoo, visit www.zoo.org. Or call 206.548.2500 or 206.548.2599 (TTY).

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos all over the world. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats 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 people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.