Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, and even if you care enough to send the very best, a card simply won’t do for zoo animals.  Instead, Woodland Park Zoo is showering their loved ones with special heart-shaped treats in a celebration open to zoo visitors on Saturday, February 13. 

(Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo)

The special treats are part of the zoo’s enrichment program to keep their animals mentally and physically stimulated through natural animal behavior like playing and foraging.  What better way to say ”I Love You” to a couple of river otters than with ice pops made of fruit juice and smelt and sprinkled with carrots (see photo above). 

Saturday’s Valentine’s Day celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The schedule is as follows:

• 10:00 a.m.  Golden lion tamarins
• 10:30 a.m.  Snow leopards, Otters
• 11:00 a.m.  Orangutans, Goats, Pigs
• 11:30 a.m.  Willawong Station, Sloth bear 
• 1:00 p.m.    Jaguar
• 1:20 p.m.    Gorillas
• 1:30 p.m.    Penguins, Lemurs, Keas
• 2:00 p.m.    Tigers, Elephants
• 3:00 p.m.    Red pandas

For information on admission fees and zoo hours, visit the zoo’s website here.

Despite local efforts to keep the Night Exhibit open, the Woodland Park Zoo is moving forward and closing it on March 1. 

(Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo)

According to a press release issued by the zoo, they needed to reduce their annual expense by $800,000 to $1 million for 2010. 

“Like everyone else in the region and the nation, the zoo also has been hit by the economy and we, too, need to trim expenses to allow us to operate sustainably over the long term,” said zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. “No one at the zoo is happy about closing an exhibit. We know our visitors feel a strong emotional connection to the zoo and each visitor has a favorite exhibit or animal they feel especially connected to. We are touched by the outpouring of support the community has expressed on Facebook and through emails, but we need to make sound, responsible decisions to help prevent a budget shortfall.”

It’s possible you may still get to see some of your favorite nocturnal creatures, though.  Several of the animals housed in the Night Exhibit will transfer to other exhibits within the zoo.  A pair of two-toed sloths will head over to the Tropical Rain Forest.  The Rodrigues Fruit bats (pictured below), tamanduas (South American anteaters) and springhaas (small Southeast African rodents) will all relocate to the Adaptations Building.  And a three-banded armadillo will be used as a presentation animal for the zoo’s up-close education programs.

(Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo)

Remaining animals will be transferred to other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).  Three pygmy lorises will live in an exhibit off-view from the public so they can continue to participate in the zoo’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program.  The hope is that they will return to view in the future.

A Facebook group banded together to try to save the Nocturnal House from closing but Jensen says funds raised could only provide a short-term solution.  She adds, “We can’t accept donations to keep the exhibit open but we would be very pleased to accept donations to help make modifications to existing areas for the Night Exhibit animals that will remain at the zoo and to support their long-term care, as well as for the evaluation of the building to determine its long-term operation.”

Donations can be made online to the ”Nocturnal Animal Fund” or you can mail them to: Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

The Woodland Park Zoo is giving parents several opportunities to have a night out without the kids by offering on-site childcare on select Friday and Saturday nights throughout 2010.

(Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo)

The Parents’ Night Out program takes kids age 4 to 11 for an activity-filled evening under the supervision of zoo staff inside Zoomazium.  Activities include games, puppet shows, movies, a pizza dinner, and of course, encounters with live animals.  Parents’ Night Out will take place from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, February 6
• Saturday, March 6
• Saturday, July 17
• Friday, August 27
• Friday, September 24
• Friday, November 5

Cost for the evening is $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child within the same family.  Pre-registration is required.  More details and the registration form can be found here.

The Woodland Park Zoo is planning to close the Nocturnal House exhibit for budget reasons and a group of citizens is banding together to try to keep it open.

Even though the zoo had near-record attendance in 2009, it’s still struggling with the economy. “For 2010, we needed long-term solutions that match our income with increasing expenses, and that meant reducing annual expenses between $800,000 and $1 million,” this letter explains. “Closing the Night Exhibit emerged as the best of a set of unpleasant choices. Closing it will save about $300,000 in operating costs annually.”

Now, a Facebook group has been set up to try to save the exhibit.  The site explains, “While times are tough, we need to not lose the things that make the Zoo so great. For many this is their only chance to actually see the wonderful creatures that inhabit the nighttime world. What better way to turn fear into fascination and apathy to respect then to show creatures, many of whom live right under our noses, in a great approximation of their natural habitat doing what they do.”

The “Save the Woodland Park Nocturnal House” group is planning to gather at the exhibit this coming Sunday at 1 p.m. “I don’t think we need to make this a protest or demonstration, and that would probably get us kicked out of the zoo,” writes the Facebook group founder Scott Gifford, “but we …can explain to people what is happening, let the Zoo staff know why we are there, and have a good time as well!” (Thanks Jen & Tammy for the tip!)

As part of the Woodland Park Zoo’s ongoing program to enrich the lives of their animals, the animals are enjoying a Winter Celebration.  During this celebration - which runs this week and next - grizzlies, tigers, penguins and others get holiday-themed treats like wreaths trimmed with fish or trees decked with ornamental fruit and other favorite snacks (like the pasta icicles in the picture).

(Photo by Ryan Hawk)

The goal of the zoo’s enrichment program is to promote natural animal behavior and to keep them mentally and physically stimulated while engaging zoo visitors.  Winter Celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.  These are the days you can see your favorite animals:

• Monday (December 28) - Sun bears, grizzlies, pigs, elephants
• Tuesday (December 22, 29) - Orangutans, Otters, Golden lion tamarins, Tigers
• Wednesday (December 23, 30) - Snow leopard cubs, Gorillas, Penguins, Australian birds and keas

Winter Celebration is free with zoo admission.  For specific times and other information, click here.

Winter break is just around the corner so for a fun activity the Woodland Park Zoo is giving free admission to the kids.  All you have to do is mention “Winter Fun” at the ticket counter and one child 12 and under gets in free with every paying adult. 

(Photo by Dennis Dow)

The six-month-old snow leopard cubs are a favorite this time of year.  Of course there are plenty of other exhibits to fill a day, even if it is a rainy one.

Discover the “hot” and “cold” spots during your adventure. The warm, humid Tropical Rain Forest offers an escape from the chill where you’ll encounter ocelots, tropical birds and snakes. Snow leopards frolic in Australasia, and grizzlies, wolves, elk and more live in the award-winning Northern Trail where the animals here are in their element – the cold! Experience a slice of desert life in the heated Day Exhibit, featuring a gallery of smaller-scale exhibits with amphibians and reptiles. And “bump into” nature’s night shift in the Night Exhibit where two-toed sloths, prosimians and fruit bats hang around. For more winter fun, ask for a Rainy Day Tour map at the entrance.

The zoo’s Winter Fun offer begins this Saturday, December 19, and runs through January 3.  For winter hours and more information, go to their website here.

Two local projects are being recognized by Mayor Greg Nickels and the Seattle Design Commission for exhibiting superior design.  Fremont Peak Park and the Woodland Park Zoo’s Penguin Exhibit are both being honored at a ceremony taking place at City Hall this evening. 

Fremont Peak Park is more than an urban oasis with a panoramic view. It exemplifies what is possible when community initiative meets good design.  It shows us that small, intimate spaces can have a tremendous neighborhood impact, and reminds us that the dedicated work of tenacious individuals can pay dividends. The park seamlessly integrates art and landscape while its design successfully tells a story, provides space for both quiet reflection and community gatherings, and captures the spirit of Fremont.

The Woodland Park Zoo Penguin Exhibit is a fantastic example of integrative design.  Adherence to a comprehensive, well-defined scope and a vigorous process has lead to a design that goes well beyond showcasing the penguins, their environment and survival.  The project achieves a new benchmark of impressive sustainability and multicultural educational objectives and includes the capacity for on- going monitoring and adjustment.  The exhibit’s low-key attitude and careful attention to design fit strengthens a significant entrance to the zoo and reinforces the overall legibility of its environment.

The Seattle Design Commission presents the awards for design excellence twice a year after reviewing public projects that foster interaction with the public and enhance Seattle neighborhoods.  Five projects in total are being honored at tonight’s ceremony in the Bertha K. Landes Room at City Hall (600 4th Ave - enter on 5th Ave side).  An open house takes place from 4-6 p.m. with the Awards Presentation starting at 4:30.