On Saturday, June 2nd, Woodland Park Zoo will spend the day focused on Bear Affair: Living Northwest Conservation Day, as presented by Brown Bear Car Wash. On June 2nd, the Zoo will host expert talks, programs and activities aimed at educating zoo-goers about the survival of bears, wolves, turtles, raptors and other animals living wild in the Pacific Northwest. Attendees can learn to become ‘carnivore smart’ and ways we can make these wild animals safer and better able to co-exist peaceably with humans.
The Zoo kicked off the Bear Affair by inviting Pike Place Fish Market staff to come toss salmon to the two Grizzly Bear brothers, Keema and Denali, as a treat for the 24-year-olds.
Bears live within our region of the world, and it is important that we learn to care for them. Zoo experts will be teaching ways we can all be more considerate during Bear Affair, including demonstrating bear-proofing tips by letting Denali and Keema ransack a make-believe backyard picnic. Conservation partners will be on-hand at Woodland Park from the Western Wildlife Outreach, Wolf Haven, Vital Ground, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Parks Conservation Association, and many others. Also hear Native American stories about these local creatures by storyteller Roger Fernandes.
Visit the Zoo.org website for a complete schedule of Bear Affair activities, and for information about how to enter a free drawing for a behind-the-scenes visit with Keema and Denali. Bear Affair events are included in the general admission Zoo fee. The Woodland Park Zoo summer hours are 9:30a – 6p, daily.