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Woodland Park Zoo and The Seattle Public Library: A partnership worth roaring about

Posted by: Kerston Swartz, Public Affairs and Advocacy

Are your ears ringing, boys? It’s just because we can’t stop talking about tigers! Photo: Dennis Dow/WPZ.

We’re kind of tiger nerds at Woodland Park Zoo.

You already know this: the zoo has its paws in a lot of tiger-related stuff this summer. So far, we opened our new Banyan Wilds exhibit featuring three new Malayan tiger brothers and organized prominent local artists to decorate ten magnificent fiberglass tigers to place throughout the community as part of the Show Your Stripes art tour… and it’s only May.

Show Your Stripes Tour tiger ambassadors. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer Lindgren/WPZ.

Add to the list a partnership worth roaring about.

Tiger Story Time at The Seattle Public Library. Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography.

With all this tiger mania going on, imagine our excitement when The Seattle Public Library invited us to partner on its Summer of Learning Program. We’re calling this summer’s program “Wild Science!”, focusing on fun ways to get children and adults to learn about and love tigers as much as we do.

Tiger tales. Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography.

Wild Science! features a summer full of fun programs and reading opportunities. Look for special events and activities at your branch library, or join the Summer of Learning Program and spend the summer developing a love for all things orange and striped.

Tiger love is eternal…even through naptime. Photo by Ryan Hawk/WPZ.

No summertime boredom here

For starters, SPL has put together a fantastic reading list of nonfiction and fiction works featuring tigers. Recommended books range in topics, from whimsy and fun to suspenseful and sobering.

Garfield gets it. Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography.

What are you doing for lunch on Thursday and Friday? If it’s just a typical bologna-sandwich day, liven it up and join the zoo for two noon lectures at the Central Library.


On Thursday, May 14, noon – 1:00 p.m., Dr. Fred Koontz, Woodland Park Zoo’s Vice President of Field Conservation, will be talking about Tigers Forever: Global Collaboration to Save Malayan Tigers at the Seattle Public Library Central Library.


Come back the next day on Friday, May 15, noon – 1:00 p.m., and let Bobbi Miller, Woodland Park Zoo’s Field Conservation Coordinator, break down the complex issue Palm Oil: Super Oil or Deforestation Agent?

Seattle City Council President Tim Burgess, City Librarian Marcellus Turner, and Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen pose with Steve Jensen’s tiger art ambassador at its Seattle Public Library unveiling. Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography. 

And while you’re at the Central Library, head to the third floor to see one of our Show Your Stripes tiger statues. This beautiful tiger was created by local artist Steve Jensen and is entitled “Read Between the Lines.”

We don't recommend trying to pet a real tiger, but touching a beautiful piece of tiger art is a great way for kids to build empathy for the big cats. Photo by Jerry and Lois Photography.

Want to stay updated on tiger conservation news? Join the Show Your Strips Tiger Team and stay connected with us as we work with our partners to save tigers. 

Come see Malayan tigers in the all new Banyan Wilds exhibit. Photo by Stan Milkowski/Woodland Park Zoo.

You see there is no shortage of fun and meaningful tiger things to do this summer—so join Woodland Park Zoo and nerd out about tigers with us! 

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