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WHAT
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It’s the summer of pigs at Woodland Park Zoo ‒ first, the arrival in May of Visayan warty pigs and warthogs – and now, the debut of the new kunekune (koo-nee-koo-nee) pigs, a domestic breed that hails from New Zealand.
Meet the zoo’s two kunekunes on June 28 as the little pigs kick off Red, White & Zoo with a special enrichment treat.
Red, White & Zoo will be held at the zoo June 30-July 1. The annual celebration offers a menu of Fourth of July-themed treats, such as star-shaped popsicles, watermelon, corn on the cob and other picnic fare, to the zoo’s wolves, grizzlies, elephants, gorillas, orangutans, and more. The event is part of the excellent animal care program at Woodland Park Zoo and the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage zoo visitors.
Kunekune means “fat and round” in the Māori language, a name earned by their short legs and pot tummy. The short-snouted pigs are known to be very friendly, sociable and intelligent and thrive on human company. A distinct feature are wattles hanging from the lower side of the jaw.
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WHERE
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The pigs are located at the Family Farm. The press should park in the inner lot at the NORTH end where the admin. offices are located off N. 59th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Meet at the West Entrance for staff escort or head to the Family Farm
Red, White & Zoo: Saturday-Sunday, June 30-July 1, 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
A complete schedule is available on www.zoo.org or at the zoo
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COST
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Red, White & Zoo is free with zoo admission or membership. Admission through September 30: Adult (13-64) $17.75; Child (3-12) $11.50; Toddler (0-2) Free. Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military and their families, seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount. Zoo members receive free admission year round.
Parking: $5.25. Parking is limited. Consider taking the bus, biking, walking or carpooling. Conserving resources is one more way to help animals. For bus service to the zoo, visit: www.metro.kingcounty.gov.
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Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos in animal care, conservation and education programs. Woodland Park Zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future. For more information, visit www.zoo.org.
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