Woodland Park Zoo Programs
Education
From our Zoomazium facility for early learners to our Advanced Inquiry masters degree program for educators, Woodland Park Zoo pursues a developmental approach to lifelong learning. We seek to foster empathy for nature, build conservation knowledge and skills, and increase personal ownership for actions that benefit wildlife and habitats. More than 500,000 visitors participate in public programs and nearly 70,000 students and teachers visit the zoo each year. We also provide 40,000 complimentary tickets to more than 300 King County social service organizations.
Conservation
Woodland Park Zoo is a regional institution with international impact. Our zoo supports 36 conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, reflecting the major exhibit biomes at the zoo. These in-situ projects help local communities institute conservation solutions combining habitat and species protection, research, education, and community livelihood through conservation commerce. The zoo collaborates with other accredited zoos and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to raise endangered native animals for release into the wild.
Animal Care
Woodland Park Zoo manages the largest live animal collection in Washington state with approximately 1,090 specimens representing nearly 300 species. Through Species Survival Plans, our zoo collaborates with other accredited zoos to preserve genetically-diverse populations of some of the world's most endangered animals.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Woodland Park Zoo is a leader in education, animal care and exhibit design. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums has honored our zoo with seven major exhibit awards, most recently for our Humboldt Penguin Exhibit. Only the Bronx Zoo has received more exhibit awards.
Our zoo’s endangered tigers and sloth bears need a new home. That’s why we are embarking on our most ambitious project since the 1990s – total renovation of our Asian Tropical Forest biome.
Three times the size of the current tiger and sloth bear exhibits, the new space will feature up-close encounters with Malayan tigers, sloth bears, Asian small clawed otters and more, representing the biodiversity of tropical Asian forests. Naturalistic design will allow the zoo to provide excellent care tailored to the unique needs of our animals. Interactive learning experiences will engage our guests in the compelling stories of these magnificent creatures. Much more than an exhibit, this living classroom will give the zoo visitors the inspiration and tools needed to take conservation action now to preserve the wonders of wildlife for future generations.
GiveBig day is May 2! On that day, gifts made through this profile page will be designated toward the new exhibit. Donors of $250 or more who contribute to the exhibit will be recognized on the exhibit donor wall, while donors of $1,000 or more will “get their paws on our exhibit” in the form of a paw print with their name on it, artfully integrated in the new complex.