Table of Contents:

• Background
• Public Participation/Community Community Comments
• Overview – Major Goals 2004
• Exhibit Openings
• Education Programs
• Major Visitor Events/Community and Family Celebrations
• Animal Collection Changes
• Captive Breeding/SSPs
• Conservation Programs
• Capital Projects
• Major Maintenance Projects
• Communication
• Budget/Attendance

Background
The following Annual Plan is submitted to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation as specified by the Zoo Operations and Management Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City of Seattle and the Woodland Park Zoological Society. The purpose of the Annual Plan is to briefly describe major programs and programmatic changes, capital improvements or planned fee changes for the upcoming year. This report is due to the Superintendent of Parks in the fourth quarter of each year.

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Public Participation/Community Comments
During the month of November 2004, the Annual Plan was made available for review and comment on the zoo’s Web site and in hard copy at the Seattle Rotary Education Center on zoo grounds. In addition, the Annual Plan was provided to the Neighborhood Liaison Committee for comment. The Neighborhood Liaison Committee is made up of two representatives from each of the Green Lake, Fremont, Wallingford and Phinney Ridge Community Councils, as well as representatives from Phinney Neighborhood Association, Zoo Neighbors, the Hawthorne Condo Association and Woodland Park Zoo. Comments and responses are attached to the end of this report.

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OVERVIEW—MAJOR GOALS 2005
The employees, volunteers and board members of Woodland Park Zoo look forward to a productive and exciting year in the achievement of five major zoo goals:

• Implement behavioral husbandry program
• Continue elephant artificial insemination project
• Design, build, and maintain an engaging, interactive aviary exhibit
• Begin Family Science Learning Center construction
• Begin Carousel construction
• Complete design for Greater One-horned Rhino

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Exhibit Openings

Interactive Aviary (May):
This walk-through aviary will be a fun opportunity for visitors to feed animals in a controlled, safe environment. The theme and take-home message will be “caring for birds,” with a focus on responsible care for birds both in the wild and at home. Visitors will be charged a modest admission and receive a “seed stick” to feed the birds. The aviary will include approximately 200 birds, primarily small colorful Australian parrots. The exhibit is expected to open on May 27, 2005, during the Memorial Day weekend.

Butterflies and Blooms exhibit (mid-May – late-September):
This seasonal exhibit continues to be a popular attraction for visitors, ranking as the third most popular exhibit among visitors during the months it is open. It includes an interpretive entry and a free flight structure with nearly 1,000 native butterflies and moths as well as a conservation garden that demonstrates butterfly friendly plants. This exhibit showcases the zoo’s work with the threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly and integrates opportunities for visitors and school children to participate in reclamation efforts by planting the butterfly’s food source—violets.

Pony Ring (mid-May – mid-September):
Due to the changing demographics of our pony herd and the standards we uphold for animal welfare and visitor safety, we may not be able to provide a full pony-riding program in the 2005 season. We will be exploring options for providing a limited pony-riding program along with a new pony encounter experience that will still allow our young visitors to have close contact with our ponies.

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Education Programs:

Significant education programs for 2005 include:

• Interpretive programs conducted by staff and volunteers in zoo bioclimatic zones and special exhibits including raptor programs, elephant programs, keeper talks, Family Farm Contact Area, Discovery Barn, African Village interpretation, Jaguar Quest, Reptiles on Wheels and Bugs on Wheels
• Zoo Corps teen program oriented towards service learning and conservation education
• Zoo classes, camps and other special fee-supported programs including Zoo University/Conservation Academy for 11-14 year olds, Eye-to-Eye tours for families and new early childhood programs
• Zoo Overnight and Evening Adventures
• Adult conservation education outreach program piloted to targeted audiences

Programs for schools include:

• Forest Explorers program free for Seattle schools (plus free zoo admission and transportation for low-income Seattle qualifying schools); sliding-fee scale for non-Seattle/King County schools
• Wild Wise outreach program free for Seattle public schools and a sliding-fee scale for schools and groups statewide
• SOAR (Save Our Amazing Raptors) outreach program for King County schools
• ZEST programs (Zoo Experiences for Students and Teachers) and other docent-led programs on a variety of topics
• Funded by the Pro Parks Levy, School-to-Zoo provides free zoo admission, parking and reimbursed transportation for Seattle schools with 30% or more of their students who are eligible for the free and reduced-rate lunch program. Schools may participate in zoo programs or visit the zoo on their own
• Teacher Training program—teacher workshops and summer institute

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Major Visitor Events/Community and Family Celebrations

• Bunny Bounce
• Mom & Me at the Zoo
• Festival for the Birds
• Old Timers' Picnic (Senior Event)
• Celebrate the Zoo - Chairman’s Dinner 2005
• Family Science Day
• Jungle Party
• ZooTunes Concerts
• Moo at the Zoo
• Pumpkin Prowl
• Summer Picnics/Weddings
• Low Income Admission Tickets

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Animal Collection Changes

Significant Dispositions:
Significant dispositions from the collection include sending our remaining young female snow leopard to another zoo in accordance with recommendations from the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program. We also will be relocating our two male sloth bear cubs in accordance with the Sloth Bear SSP’s recommendations.

As we plan ahead for our elephant breeding program (see captive breeding section, below), we will be evaluating the changing animal husbandry needs of our growing herd. As a result, we may need to explore opportunities for placing one of our Asian elephants, according to SSP recommendations, at another institution.

Significant Acquisitions:
We will be participating with a consortium of U.S. zoos to import jaguars from a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Bolivia. We expect to receive a male from the first shipment of animals in 2005, and a female from a subsequent shipment yet to be scheduled.

Other significant mammal acquisitions include the possible addition of a female reticulated giraffe.

Planned reptile and amphibian acquisitions include the Taylor’s cantils and axolotls.

Some planned new bird species include Blyth’s tragopans and buff-crested bustards.

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Captive Breeding/SSPs
Woodland Park Zoo is an active participant in 35 of the SSPs sponsored by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. The determination to reproduce a species is dependent on numerous factors including genetic and demographic parameters of the entire population, the ability to house and care for the offspring, behavioral compatibility of the male and female, physical condition of the adults, nutritional status, and potential disturbances in and around the exhibit. Woodland Park Zoo is planning several captive breeding births in 2005, based on its annual collection plan goals and SSP priorities. However, because of the variables listed above, it is difficult to predict exactly what species will be successful in generating planned offspring. Below is a list of species for which we have received SSP breeding recommendations:

-Significant mammal breeding recommendations for 2005 include artificial insemination of one of our Asian elephants, Chai. Opting for artificial insemination allows Chai to stay with her herd at Woodland Park Zoo and makes it unnecessary to transport her to a zoo with a bull. Chai has had a reproductive assessment and is an excellent candidate for the procedure.

-The zoo also will continue its project of developing an artificial insemination protocol for endangered Malayan sun bears in 2005, a project endorsed by the SSP due, in large part, to a scarcity of males in the North American population. Although our first attempt at artificial insemination in 2004 did not result in a pregnancy, the knowledge gained will direct future efforts.

-Other mammal SSP breeding recommendations for 2005 include reticulated giraffe, Grant’s gazelle and western lowland gorilla.

-Recommended bird species breeding includes Humboldt penguin, red-crowned crane and Victoria crowned pigeon.

-The Partula snail SSP, the only SSP for invertebrate species, is recommending that we breed our Partula snails in 2005.

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Conservation Programs
A major step forward for the zoo’s conservation programs will be the hiring of the first Conservation Director. Having this person on board will allow the zoo to move toward a well- integrated conservation program—both global and local in scope, that is connected to the exhibits and programs at the zoo. This person will provide leadership to build the conservation programs at the zoo; help oversee the current portfolio of conservation projects; oversee staff projects; engage in his/her own research, and actively contribute to fund raising work for conservation.

Additional staff-directed conservation programs that will be ongoing in 2005 are:

• In 2004 the zoo was able to sponsor a remote camera to collect real-time data on a nesting ferruginous hawk. The zoo and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife were able to share the hatching and rearing of these rare chicks with zoo visitors and the community through the zoo’s Web site. This successful multi-year partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue in 2005. The camera will be brought on line again during the nesting season, and the collection of the last satellite telemetry data for this species completed. http://www.zoo.org/conserve/worldwide/hawk.html
• Rearing and reintroduction program for the Oregon silverspot butterfly is part of the United States Fish & Wildlife recovery plan for this federally threatened butterfly. The zoo partners with a number of agencies on this program and shares rearing duties with the Oregon Zoo. Research being done at the release sites is showing some recovery so 2005 may very well be the year of the first release back to the Washington coast on former Oregon silverspot butterfly range.
• Another partnership program with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Program. This program is beginning to show true success as the original hatchlings released 10 years ago are now reproducing themselves. As the numbers really begin to multiply the program is now able to consider new release sites to establish populations back into historical western pond turtle range.
• The Malayan sun bear reproductive biology study has been recognized as significantly important work for maintaining genetically viable captive populations and received a grant last year from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. This grant will enable zoo staff to finish hormone and behavioral analysis for all participating zoos. The zoo also intends to expand the program by working in partnership with zoos in Indonesia which house many of these native bears and thus are a valuable resource of information. This also provides the zoo with an opportunity to combine aspects of this research with an already established Indonesian Veterinary Training Program that strives to share the latest in medical techniques with veterinarians in Indonesia.
• 2005 will be the third year of the zoo’s Partners for Wildlife program that supports important in-situ conservation programs around the world. The current program funds work with tree kangaroos and habitat protection in Papua New Guinea, African wild dogs in Botswana, South Africa, red-crowned and white-naped cranes and sustainable land use in the Russian Far East and all the snow leopard range countries which span much of Asia. The zoo hopes to expand the Partners for Wildlife program in 2005 to include programs identified during the zoo’s global conservation priority analysis in 2004.
• Staff will be investigating the possibility of supporting the conservation endowment fund through a new fund raising opportunity such as a special concert or other event.

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Capital Projects

Family Science Learning Center and Interpretive Gallery:
The Family Science Learning Center will be an interpretive gallery located near the west entry in the Temperate Forest. This facility, with changing multi-media displays, will focus on early childhood learning and offer zoo visitors an insight to the zoo’s animals and habitats as well as special interest topics and related zoological issues. Construction of the building is anticipated to begin in early 2005. Fabrication of exhibits for this space will begin in mid-2005 and installation of the exhibits is anticipated in early 2006.

Parking Garage:
Planning will begin in early 2005. The goal will be to develop a detailed site plan and garage specifications. Selection of the Design/Build team will begin in late 2005. Running parallel with planning for parking, and in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation, and with a process for neighbor and public input, will be work on Transportation Demand Management and Restricted Parking Zone.

Greater One-horned Rhinoceros:
An area adjacent to a portion of the southern-most elephant yard has been identified for placement of a Greater One-horned Rhinoceros exhibit. Initial design work for this new exhibit was completed in 2004. The exhibit will be viewed from the Tropical Asia trail leading to the elephant exhibit, and will feature a naturalistic exhibit in keeping with the zoo’s award-winning newer exhibits. The exhibit is anticipated to open in 2008.

Carousel Building:
This project will be moving forward in 2005 with groundbreaking anticipated in the latter half of the year and an opening in 2006.

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Major Maintenance Projects

Seismic Upgrades:
Having completed a seismic study of significant structures in 2004, several facilities have been prioritized for retrofitting in 2005. These projects include replacement of the structural posts and related elements in the West Gorilla Viewing Shelter, modifications to the Australasia building, and structural restoration of the bas-relief mural at the north end of the Woodland Park Rose Garden.

Emergency Preparedness:
Final design engineering and installation of a prioritized, zoo- wide smoke detection alarm system will be completed.

Rose Garden Fountain Renovation:
The restoration of the Rose Garden fountains will be undertaken.

Incinerator Removal:
An old, abandoned incinerator will be removed in accordance with abatement efforts.

Exhibit Furniture Replacement:
Design of artificial trees to provide permanent replacement of climbing structures for the Orangutan Forest and other exhibits will be initiated and some critically deteriorated elements will be replaced as part of this multi-year project.

Roofing Projects:
Major maintenance of roofs will continue and include the Adaptations Building breezeway roof, roofs at the off-site facility in Enumclaw, and repair of the entry roof at the Taiga Viewing Shelter.

Animal Holding Facility Upgrades:
Continuation of 2004 project to replace critical animal holding capacity lost with the demolition of the old Primate House in 2003. This includes keeper central animal holding, colobus and Debrazza exterior holding as well as some modifications at snow leopard.

Major Maintenance Program:
Identify needs and begin systematic replacement of critical building systems based on life cycle analysis, resource conservation and return on investment. This project includes water use reduction efforts such as installation of waterless urinals throughout the zoo and identification and repair of leaks or inefficient pump systems.

Diesel Fuel Storage Tank Replacement:
Replace antiquated above ground fuel tank with appropriate storage capacity to serve current needs including the emergency generator capabilities installed in 2004.

Update Exhibit Signage:
Replace exhibit interpretation and wayfinding elements that have not been changed since their original installations, some of which are 25 years old. This project includes signage in the Day and Night Exhibits, the Elephant Forest video, and the digital conversion of some interpretive signage.

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Communication
The zoo has a number of ways to communicate with the general public, members, and neighbors, including:

General Public:
Public vehicles include the zoo’s extensive Web site which lists upcoming events, new exhibit openings, and a wealth of information about the zoo’s animals, exhibits, conservation and education programs. The Web site also offers an opportunity for anyone in the general public to contact the zoo with questions, concerns, complaints or compliments. The zoo forwards correspondence requiring a response to internal zoo staff who are then responsible for follow-up. The zoo’s public relations staff works with local media to provide press information and stories about zoo activities to the broader community and plays a key role in responding to public inquiries.

Zoo Society Members:
The approximately 40,000 member households around the region receive a copy of the zoo’s quarterly magazine @thezoo, which contains in-depth articles about various aspects of the zoo’s operations, animal and plant collections as well as upcoming events.

Zoo Neighbors:
The zoo also produces a periodic neighborhood newsletter that provides over 1,000 zoo neighbors with advance information about zoo activities, plans and special events. Zoo staff attends community meetings to report on zoo issues and to gather feedback. In addition, the zoo’s Neighborhood Liaison Committee formed last year has institutionalized a long-standing zoo liaison concept and provides regular informational meetings with representatives of the four communities surrounding the zoo: Phinney Ridge, Green Lake, Wallingford and Fremont.

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Budget/Attendance

• Proposed Budget: $24.5 Million
• Attendance 1.085 million
• Fee Changes:
  In 2005, education fees will change for the following programs:
  • Forest Explorers program free for Seattle schools (plus free zoo admission and transportation for low-income Seattle qualifying schools); sliding-fee scale for King County schools based on school free and reduced rate lunch program numbers.
  • Wild Wise outreach program free for Seattle public schools and a sliding-fee scale for schools and groups statewide based on school free and reduced rate lunch program numbers.

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