Community Corner
Watch 2 Grizzly Bears Destroy A Picnic On Conservation Day
The annual conservation event culminates Bear Awareness Week, the week of May 27–June 2.
From the Woodland Park Zoo: As bears forage for snacks of any kind—in forests or urban areas—it’s time to become bear smart and ensure your camp site or backyard is safe from and for bears. Don’t miss Woodland Park Zoo’s Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day presented by Brown Bear Car Wash on Saturday, June 2.
The annual conservation event culminates Bear Awareness Week, proclaimed by Governor Jay Inslee to be the week of May 27–June 2, 2018. Learn about the survival of bears, wolves, turtles, raptors, and other wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and what these animals need to survive in the wild, how to help keep them safe and how to peacefully coexist.
The zoo’s curious grizzly bear brothers, Keema and Denali, will ransack a make-believe backyard setting with all the fixings of a picnic left behind including a kiddy pool, a grill with hamburgers and hot dogs, cupcakes, fruit and juice, and non-safe garbage cans. Pick up some bear-proof tips as the bears demonstrate what goes wrong when food and garbage aren’t stored properly.
Hear talks on wolves, river otters and other animals, and enjoy raptor flight programs, ambassador animal training sessions and special programs in Zoomazium. Stop by the Living Northwest conservation tent for chats with experts, up-close visits with Western pond turtles and kid-friendly activities. Visit Molbak’s Butterfly Garden and Microsoft Pollinator Patio for tips on helping pollinators in your own backyard. Visit with conservation partners from Western Wildlife Outreach, Wolf Haven, Vital Ground, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Parks Conservation Association, Conservation Northwest, Washington Trails Association, Defenders of Wildlife, Bear Smart Washington, Seattle Every Kid in a Park Collaborative and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Listen to Native American stories about animals and their connection with the other “people” who inhabit the world by artist and storyteller Roger Fernandes. Enter a free drawing to win a behind-the-scenes visit with the zoo’s grizzly bears.
WHEN: Saturday, June 2, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Visit www.zoo.org/events for a schedule of activities
WHERE: Woodland Park Zoo: Enter through West Entrance at Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th & N. 56th Sts. or South Entrance at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.
COST: Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day presented by Brown Bear Car Wash is free with zoo admission or membership. Admission through September 30: Adult (13-64) $20.95; Child (3-12) $12.95; Toddler (0-2) Free. Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military and their families, seniors and people with physical disabilities receive an admission discount. Zoo members receive free zoo admission year round. Parking: $6 plus applicable state and local taxes.
INFO: For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.
Summer zoo hours through September 30: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Online ticketing: Avoid lines and get your tickets in advance at www.zoo.org/visit. Discounts and coupons are not applicable for online ticket purchases.
Parking is limited. Consider taking the bus, biking, walking or carpooling. Conserving resources is one more way to help animals. The zoo offers a $2 discount to anyone who rides the bus to the zoo. Must show proof—bus transfer or ORCA card—at ticket window. For bus service to the zoo, visit www.metro.kingcounty.gov.
Mobile app: Download the free Woodland Park Zoo mobile app for iPhone, iPad or Android from your app store. Use it to track your location on zoo grounds with GPS, discover more about animals and daily zoo activities, and share the highlights of your visit with friends.
Quarters for Conservation: A portion of your zoo admission and membership is dedicated to funding conservation programs in the wild. Cast your vote for your favorite conservation project at the Quarters for Conservation kiosks located at each entrance.
Gifts/Food: Explore the ZooStores for unique gifts and souvenirs and the Rain Forest Food Pavilion to quench your thirst and appetite.
Image courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo: Become "bear smart" at Woodland Park Zoo's annual Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day on June 2. Learn bear-proof tips as the zoo's grizzlies ransack a backyard picnic; chat with conservation partners; and enjoy a variety of animal talks and programs throughout the zoo. Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo