The zoo was originally a private menagerie owned by Guy C. Phinney before becoming a public park in 1899.
It pioneered the concept of 'landscape immersion' exhibits, designed to make visitors feel as though they are entering the animals' natural habitats.
The zoo's Zoomazium is a nature-focused indoor play space designed specifically for children to learn about ecosystems through sensory play.
It operates a dedicated Raptor Center for the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey found in the Pacific Northwest.
The African Savanna exhibit utilizes a complex system of hidden barriers to create an open-plain appearance with giraffes, hippos, and zebras.
The zoo participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP) to manage the genetics of endangered animal populations in captivity.
The historic carousel features 48 hand-carved wooden horses.
The zoo grounds serve as a major urban arboretum, housing thousands of trees representing hundreds of species.
Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre zoological facility in Seattle focused on wildlife conservation and habitat simulation. It is home to over 300 animal species, including endangered snow leopards, Malayan tigers, and gorillas. The grounds are divided into bioclimatic zones that recreate environments ranging from the African Savanna to the Tropical Rain Forest. The zoo maintains an extensive captive breeding program for threatened species like the western pond turtle. It features a historic carousel dating back to 1918 that was restored and relocated to the grounds. The facility is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and conducts year-round field conservation projects. Visitors can explore specialized exhibits like the Banyan Wilds and the Temperate Forest area.
The elevated boardwalk in the African Savanna exhibit provides an unobstructed view of the mixed-species habitat.
Focus on the morning hours when animals are most active and likely to be eating.
Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes to navigate the hilly, sprawling 92-acre terrain.
Check the daily keeper talk schedule upon arrival to see animal enrichment activities in real-time.
Attempting to see the entire zoo in under two hours, as the steep inclines and vast layout require a slower pace.
Open daily year-round, except for Christmas Day.
Maintain a quiet volume near exhibits, do not feed the animals, and stay behind all safety barriers.
