WPZ Education: Adult

2008 Wildlife Adventures Travel Programs

Inspiring a commitment to conservation through responsible ecotourism
Woodland Park Zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program offers affordable and exciting opportunities to encounter animals in the wild, explore exotic locations and experience local cultures. Guided by experienced zoo staff and local wildlife experts, (if group minimums are met), Wildlife Adventures introduces travelers to scientists engaged in field research and conservation activities. Each Wildlife Adventure features a pre-trip education series to prepare you for your experience. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime and share your commitment to conservation through ecotourism with Woodland Park Zoo. A portion of the proceeds from this program supports Woodland Park Zoo’s animal care, education programs and conservation initiatives.

Journey to the Land of the Blue Sky
Land of the Snow Leopard in conjunction with The Snow Leopard Trust
July 26-August 9, 2008 (15 Days)

Snow leopard on the run Photo: Kyle McCarthy

The Snow Leopard Trust, in conjunction with Woodland Park Zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Program is offering an amazing adventure to Mongolia that will benefit snow leopard conservation. This special trip will include staying with a community in western Mongolia that participates in an important wildlife conservation program of the Snow Leopard Trust. As guests of the community, the group will search for signs of snow leopards and other wildlife in the surrounding mountains, and experience the Mongol way of life while staying in gers (yurts), the traditional dwelling. Besides a life-changing cultural and wildlife viewing adventure, the group will have the opportunity to experience a total solar eclipse while in western Mongolia!

Mongolian Family The Snow Leopard Trust has been working to save the magnificent snow leopard and improve the lives of people who live in the snow leopard countries of Central Asia for more than 25 years. Woodland Park Zoo and the Snow Leopard Trust have a long history of partnership, and the two organizations have worked together on previous travel adventures to Mongolia, India, and China.

Cost: $4,250 Per Person, Double Occupancy. Land Only.

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TTY) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.
Photo: Teri Akin

Mongolia Pre-trip Talk - FREE
7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Woodland Park Zoo Education Center
N. 50th and Fremont Ave. N.
Free parking available in zoo's South Entrance lot

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An Exclusive Community-based
Conservation Connections Safari to Kenya
October 15-29, 2008 (15-Days)

Maasai Association Waterhole Woodland Park Zoo is partnering with the Maasai Association in the Merrueshi Community to support a Natural Waterholes and Dam Restoration Project. The Community is well known as a corridor for wildlife migrating from and to Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks. Cheetah, elephant, leopard, lion and zebra all move through this corridor. The restoration of the waterholes will provide water to the wildlife, the Maasai and their livestock. Here you will witness conservation in action as you learn more about the zoo’s role in supporting this important community-based project.

You will have the rare privilege of living and working with the local Maasai people, experiencing the daily lives of the community. Learn animal tracking on your nature walks led by Maasai warriors. Visit the waterhole restoration project, the school, plant trees around the school and enjoy bead-making lessons from the Maasai Women’s Co-operative, and visit the community market. Members of the community will offer presentations on: habitat and wildlife conservation, savanna survival strategies for wildlife and people, traditional medicine and plants, and their traditional beliefs and practices.

Join Maasai Junior Elder Kakuta Hamisi to begin your exciting safari to Kenya with a visit to Giraffe Manor, home to the rare and endangered Rothschild’s giraffe to learn about efforts to save this species. At the Daphne Sheldrick Wild Animal Orphanage you’ll have the opportunity to visit the orphaned elephants.

Game drives in Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous reserve, and Lake Nakuru National Parks will take you in search of lion, leopards, hippo, rhino, giraffe and wildebeest.

Cost: $4,300 Per Person Double Occupancy Land Only.

Kenya “Under Canvas” Safari
November 1-12, 2008 (12 Days)

Photo: Courtesy Wilderness Safaris

Seal on rock Your exploration of this magnificent country begins as you drive north on its rugged roads, though rich farm land, en route to Samburu Reserve. This semi-arid habitat is home to the Samburu people and supports populations of Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa oryx. Encounter huge herds of elephants as they make their way through this harsh environment. Game drives at Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its large concentrations of flamingos, will take you in search of leopard, white and black rhino, endangered Rothschild’s giraffe found only in this park in Kenya, cheetah, lion, warthogs, hyena and baboons. Birding in the park is spectacular, with more than 450 species: this is a bird watchers paradise. Enjoy a bird and wildlife walk at Soysambu and Lake Elmenetia. Experience three full days of wildlife viewing opportunities in the Maasai Mara Reserve, part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Following the seasonal rains in search of fresh grazing, two million wildebeest, thousands of zebras and a host of predators make the annual migration from the Serengeti to the Mara. This area is famous for rolling grasslands and the Mara River and supports many of Africa’s most popular wild animals, including lions, cheetah, leopard black rhino and hippo. There are over 500 species of birds in the park including ostrich, larks, fish eagles and the lovely lilac-breasted roller.

Cost: $5,495 Per Person, Double Occupancy
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $795 ADDITIONAL

Optional Extension to Amboseli and Tsavo West National Park:
Cost $1,795 Per Person, Double Occupancy

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TDD) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.

Photo: Ron Magill

India
November 7-21, 2008

Rhino and ungulates in India Join Woodland Park Zoo for an expedition through India’s most unique and interesting wildlife parks - Kaziranga, Manas and Ranthambhore. Your journey begins in Delhi with a tour of this ancient city. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, built in the mid-16th century, by the senior wife of the second Mughal emperor, and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Continue your exploration of the ancient city as you drive through the India Gate, past Parliament House and the Presidential residence.

Stretching over an area of 166-sq-mi- on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is one of the last refuges of the Indian rhino. Your exploration of the park by elephant back or jeep will take you through tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests in search of rhino, wild elephant, sloth bear, tiger, leopard, capped langur, hoolock gibbon, and several species of birds.

Explore the silk weaving village of Saulkuchi, before boarding your vessel for a cruise on the Brahmaputra River en route to Manas National Park. The tiger count in this park is estimated at over 80 and wild elephant number at 500. A boat ride on the Manas River will take you in search of elephant, wild buffalo, several species of deer, otters and some of the parks 380 species of birds, including the rare Bengal Florican or the Great Hornbill. Visit a local village, a tea garden and see Bodal tribal hand weaving.

Ranthambhore National Park, once the hunting grounds for the royals if Jaipur is now one of the best places in the world to see the magnificent Bengal tiger. The covers 98,800 acres and offers a fascinating combination of crumbling monuments, living temples and wild beauty. Game drives through the park’s forest tracks will take you in search of the elusive tiger, leopard, jungle cats, jackal, the Indian wild dog (Dhole), ruddy mongoose and striped hyena. Spotted deer (Chital) blue bull (Nilgai) chinkara (Indian gazelle) and wild boar are found in the park.

Cost: $8,495 per person double occupancy. Land Only

Optional post-extension:
Pushkar, Jaipur and Agra $2,295

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TDD) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.

Borneo
August 7-23, 2008

Orangutan Your journey to Borneo begins in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia’s second largest state. Visit Signal Hill, the State Mosque, the State Museum and the Monsopiad Cultural Village. Explore Kinabalu National Park on guided nature walks. The park contains 29 species of rhododendron, 1, 200 different types of orchid, and 10 different types of pitcher plants. Birds in the park include Mountain Bush Warblers, rare Kinabalu warblers, and Long-tailed Malaysian Tree pies.

Observe flora and fauna from the canopy walkway at Poring Hot Springs, where you will see the tallest tree in the world; the tualang that reaches to heights of 230 ft.

Travel to the east coast of Sabah and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. The Center prides itself on returning orphaned and captive orangutans to the wild. Other protected species brought to Sepilok include Malay sub bear, baby elephant, and wild cats. Visit the orphaned orangutans in their play ground area and observe the keepers feed semi-wild and wild orangutans.

Depart for Sakua along the lower reaches of the Kinabatangan River. The last remaining wetlands support a variety of wildlife, including orangutan and proboscis monkey. Learn about conservation initiatives on orangutans and the role Woodland Park Zoo plays in this effort. Board a river boat to go in search of proboscis monkey, birds, snakes, and other forms of wildlife. Visit the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project study site. Walk through the jungle with the research assistants to search for the red apes. This education program gives you insight if conservation efforts with the involvement of the local communities to protect these red apes.

The pristine virgin rainforest of the Danum Valley Conservation Area supports one of the largest remaining orangutan populations, as well as wild elephants, clouded leopard and the Sumatran rhino. Expert trackers will guide you on your walks through the forest, as you go in search of these elusive mammals. Explore the forest on the Canopy Walkway and go in search of nocturnal animals on a night game drive.

Cost: $4,795 per person double occupancy. Land Only

For further information, or to receive a detailed day-to-day itinerary, please call the zoo’s Wildlife Adventures Travel Program office at 206.548.2509 (voice), or 206.548.2599 (TDD) or email Judy Benvenuti at judy.benvenuti@zoo.org.