Website:
https://www.nwtrek.org
The primary links on the website are under the titles; Visit, The Trek Experience, Special Events, Education & Programs, Support Us, and Conservation. This basically follows along with the other zoos I have visited. Having a link to the conservation projects the zoo is involved in is something I think is important, as too many people have no idea about all the things that zoos and aquariums do behind the scenes.
There are very thorough animal fact sheets for every species exhibited in the park. Unfortunately they are not the easiest to locate and the fact sheets themselves are only available as downloadable PDFs. So a computer with a child safety setting or guest setting would not be able to access them. This also makes it impossible to view them by phone.
The zoo map, on the other hand, is readily available to view online, as well as print out and/or download as a PDF. Of course you also get a copy when you purchase your tickets at the zoo entrance.
Prices:
Adults (13-64 years) $19.75
Seniors (65+) $18.25
Youth (5-12) $12.25
Tots (3-4) $9.25
2 and under Free
Hours:
Opening hours vary depending on the time of year, on average they are open from 9:30am - 4:00pm. Check the website for more specifics.
Zoo:
Northwest Trek is located in a remote area, far from any bus routes. If you want to get there it will have to be by car. At least the parking lot is beautiful and shaded for most of the day.
The entire zoo is very wheelchair friendly, with smoothly paved paths and always a close by option around the few stairs there are. The only area that could be a problem for those in wheelchairs is the tram tour, where they may need some assistance getting on and off. I didn't see anyone in a wheelchair go on the tram tour, even though I did see several people in wheelchairs around the other parts of the zoo.
It may be a long drive to get there, but being out in the middle
of nowhere has its advantages. Such as exhibits like this.
About the tram tour. It is the main attraction to the park, and goes through a huge area of free-roaming native herbivores including bison, moose, elk, black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and caribou. Along the way, the tram driver gives an educational talk about the animals , the exhibit space, and habitats that occur in Western Washington. I was lucky enough to be there at a day and time when the tram's windows were removed, which made for much better photography. In the winter the windows are always in place. Be aware though, people will bring their toddlers and babies on the tour and they can cry the whole time.
On the topic of toddlers and other small children, there are not yet any play areas designated for children to let off steam. I see this as a design flaw as it forces parents to allow their hyper and noisy kids around the animal exhibits. Thankfully that will change soon, as there is a big children's play area under construction that is scheduled to open in 2016.
The food court was a little disappointing. It was basically an average fast food place that also sold classic zoo-going treats like kettle corn and ice cream bars. The interior was a bit cramped, and the summer crowd season was over, I can't imagine how packed it gets in summer. Same with the bathrooms as there are only one set of bathrooms near the zoo entrance. There was a line in the Women's shortly after lunch time.
Exhibits:
In a word; beautiful. Due to all the species being endemic to Washington State, all the exhibits could blend in with the natural forest all around and within the zoo. Second-growth forest trees grow in all the large animal exhibits and local understory plants grow in the small animal exhibits.
The only exhibits that seem a little outdated are the small animal exhibits. They are quite small and might not be enough space for the small but intelligent animals.
The only animals I saw performing stereotyping behaviors were the skunk and one of the two black bears who paced, and the grizzly bear who did a weird licking thing with its tongue.
Something definitely in this zoo's favor is its exhibit signs. Every single exhibit (except the free-roaming area that is only accessible by the tram tour) has at least a good sign on it with basic information and some fun facts on the species within. The lynx, cougar, bobcat, coyote, red fox, beavers, wolves, grizzly bear, black bear, and turkey vulture all had excellent signs for their exhibits. Signs with more than the basic information, often talking about their place in the environment and their relationship with humans over time.
A sample of an extra education sign (separate from the basic information one).
This zoo is great for photography. All but the owl and vulture exhibits have an open air viewing area where you can get an unobstructed view into the exhibit. Many of them are designed to let you get a close up look at the animals if they are out and active.
As I walked around there were not a whole lot of keepers or docents around to answer questions. There were a few education carts with hands-on learning tools like pelts and a docent to answer any questions, but very few animal/keeper talks. I was unable to attend any of the few animal talks due to scheduling, but the zoo obviously relies on having good signs and the tram tour for the visitors' education.
Overall I think this zoo is a place worth going to. It certainly has some areas that can be improved - the amenities are not quite built for how popular the zoo has become, and there is definitely a privilege barrier just to get there because of its location - but the educational component definitely gets its message across with the great exhibit signs and the tram tour talk. The opportunities for photography are the best I've seen so far, having the highest percentage of exhibits with open air viewing. The one docent I met was friendly and happy to answer questions.
Last but not least, I did not have to exit through the gift shop!
No comments:
Post a Comment