Zoo Slates Spring 'behind The Scenes' Encounters
For Immediate Release OREGON ZOO NEWS
February 28, 2006
Contacts: Bill LaMarche 503-220-2448 (office) or 503-497-5812 (pager)
Linda D'Ae-Smith 503-220-5716 (office) or 503-441-7573 (pager)
ZOO SLATES SPRING 'BEHIND THE SCENES' ENCOUNTERS
Zoo introduces spring animal encounters, featuring animals from tigers
to sea otters (March 18 - June 10)
PORTLAND, Ore. - Animal lovers who've wished for a closer look at some
of the Oregon Zoo's animals, can take advantage of Behind the Scenes
Encounters. These programs provide up-close and personal experiences and
an insider's view into the lives of the zoo's most interesting
inhabitants.
Guests explore areas not normally accessible to the public and learn
about the animals directly from zoo staff. Some encounters even offer
hands-on activities with the animals, creating memories that will last a
lifetime.
Many of the encounters involve helping with the Oregon Zoo's innovative
and internationally renowned animal enrichment program. Enrichment is
designed to keep the animals mentally and physically active, just as
they are in the wild.
"Enrichment activities are designed to keep animals moving and thinking
- and they're a blast to watch," says Charis Henrie, education program
coordinator.
Behind the Scenes Encounters are enriching for zoo visitors as well,
creating an appreciation for animals through one-of-a-kind experiences.
Participants learn about the animals through personal interactions.
Encounter offerings change quarterly, so there is always something new
to see and do at the zoo.
VIP BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS
These 90-minute tours led by zookeepers, allow close and personal
encounters with zoo animals. Prices are $85 for zoo members and $100 for
nonmembers. VIP Encounter participants must be 14 or older.
Elephant VIP Encounter, Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Oregon Zoo's elephant herd is the most prolific in the country.
Attendees will meet some of the famous residents up close and learn how
the zoo has contributed significantly to the captive breeding of
elephants for more than 40 years.
Giraffe VIP Encounter, Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Giraffes give a new meaning to the term "necking." Their seven
12-inch-long neck vertebrae give them a skyscraper-like view of the
world, but their height does create challenges, as participants will
learn. This encounter includes a chance to feed the giraffes!
Steller Cove VIP Encounter, Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Attendees learn what is happening with the zoo's sea lions and sea
otters, and discover what it takes to care for these captivating marine
mammals. Also covered are the challenges Gus, Julius, Thelma and Eddie
present to their keepers and what their relatives face in the wild. This
encounter includes a chance to toss the animals an icy treat!
BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS
These tours allow a visit to "staff only" areas around the zoo and a
chance to see exhibits from the other side of the railing. Participants
will learn how the animal-care staff keeps animals happy and healthy.
Questions are answered during the one-hour tour as guests discover the
rewards and challenges of caring for wild animals. Behind the Scenes
Encounters are for guests ages 12 and older. Prices are $34 for zoo
members and $40 for nonmembers.
Feline Encounter, Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Attendees get an up-close look at the zoo's really big cats. Guests join
keepers as they hide treats for the zoo's tigers and leopard, and learn
how important it is to keep these beautiful felines physically fit and
mentally active.
Penguin Encounter, Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Guests explore the Penguinarium, discovering why the Oregon Zoo has such
a successful penguin-breeding program, and meet some of the charismatic
birds.
Bear Encounter, Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Toys, treats and training: All three things help keep bears healthy and
active. Guests learn how keepers use the "Three T's" to make sure the
zoo's bears stay mentally alert and physically fit. This tour offers a
chance to help with an enrichment activity.
FAMILY ENCOUNTERS
Behind the Scenes Family Encounters allow children ages 8-13
(accompanied by an adult) to go behind closed doors and meet zoo staff.
During the hour-long tours, children and their parents discover the
rewards and challenges of caring for wild animals. Member prices for
family encounters are $25 per person; nonmember prices are $30 per
person. There is a two-person minimum for family encounters, and all
children must be accompanied by an adult.
Grizzly Family Encounter, Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Guests learn how the zoo keeps one of the largest carnivores in North
America active. Hide-and-seek is the key. Participants can help keepers
hide treats around the exhibit, then sit back and watch what happens.
Sea Otter Family Encounter, Sunday, May 7, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
There are not many animals cuter than sea otters. Guests learn that
besides being incredibly cute, they are clever, agile creatures that
love to have fun. An opportunity to make treats for the zoo's sea
otters, Thelma and Eddie, is included.
Elephant Painting Family Encounter, Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Oregon Zoo's elephants can finger-paint just like a child. The only
difference is an elephant's "finger" is on the end of its trunk. Guests
have a chance to watch Rama up close, as he creates his newest
masterpiece. An original piece of unframed elephant art is included.
Amazon Flooded Forest Family Encounter, Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m.-11
a.m.
Guests meet Judi Agouti (a very cute large South American rodent), as
well as other furry, feathered and scaly residents of the Amazon Flooded
Forest. Keepers share the unique challenges they encounter with
different species living in the same space.
For more information, please visit www.oregonzoo.org or call
503-220-2781. Gift certificates for Behind the Scenes Encounters are
also available.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire
the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to
conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California
condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and
Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian
elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown
Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light
rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus
#63 to the Oregon Zoo. Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive 50 cents
off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or
visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9.50 (12-64), seniors $8 (65+), children $6.50
(3-11), and infants 2 and under are free. A parking fee of $1 per car is
also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org
or by calling 503-226-1561.
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Behind the Scenes Encounters
PSA: 30 seconds
Animal lovers who've wished for a closer look at some of the Oregon
Zoo's animals, can go behind closed doors and experience Behind the
Scenes Encounters. These programs provide an insider's view into the
lives of the zoo's most interesting inhabitants. You'll explore areas
not normally accessible to visitors and learn about many small and large
exotic animals directly from zoo staff. Some encounters offer hands-on
activities with the animals, creating memories that will last a
lifetime. For the schedule or to register, visit www.oregonzoo.org.
# # #
Caption: Behind the Scenes Encounters participants get up close and
personal with a variety of zoo animals - revealing the mystery of what
goes on behind closed doors.
Oregon Zoo " 4001 SW Canyon Rd. " Portland, Oregon 97221 " 503-226-1561
" www.oregonzoo.org
