Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo
Steaming mountains of Zoo Doo await pickup by winners of a random drawing. Gardeners can enter to have a chance at purchasing the Zoo Doo from March 5 to March 20.

Spring, and Zoo Doo, is in the air

By Robinson Newspapers Staff
02/25/2010

Dr. Doo, also known as the “Prince of Poo,” the “GM of BM” or the “Grand Poopah,” has been piling Zoo Doo deeper and higher all winter. This means the annual Spring Fecal Fest, the time of year when local gardeners have the chance to purchase Zoo Doo or Bedspread, is here.

According to a Woodland Park Zoo press release, Zoo Doo is the most exotic and highly prized compost in the Pacific Northwest, perfect for vegetables and annuals, composed of exotic species feces contributed by the zoo’s non-primate herbivores.

Bedspread, the zoo’s premium composted mulch, is like Zoo Doo but with higher amounts of wood chips and sawdust. It can be used for perennial beds and woody landscapes, such as native gardens, rose beds, shrubs, tree rings or pathways.

Zoo Doo and Bedspread are available only through a random drawing. For a chance to purchase either, gardeners must send in a postcard from March 5 through March 20.

Gardeners can enter both the Zoo Doo and Bedspread drawings, but separate postcards are required. Postcards should be marked “Zoo Doo" or “B.S.” for Bedspread.

Only one postcard per person is eligible for each drawing. Phone orders will not be taken.

Postcards should be sent to Dr. Doo, Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103, and include the following information:

  • Name
  • Day and evening phone numbers
  • Preference: Zoo Doo or Bedspread
  • Amount of Zoo Doo or Bedspread desired to purchase (anything from a garbage bag to a full-size pickup truck load)
  • Weekday or weekend preference for pick-up

Entry cards will be selected randomly for as many entrants possible. Dr. Doo will contact the lucky drawn entries only.

Pick-up dates for Zoo Doo or Bedspread are April 16 through May 2. The winners load the compost using shovels provided by the zoo.

Zoo Doo and Bedspread Prices:

  • Pickup truck, 8-foot by 4-foot bed: $60 (Limit one full truck per person)
  • Pickup truck, 6-foot by 4-foot bed: $45 (Limit one full truck per person)
  • Pickup truck, 6-foot by three-foot bed: $35 (Limit one full truck per person)
  • Garbage cans: $8 to $10 depending on size
  • Bags: $4 to $6 depending on size

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Comments

Retire Zoo Elephants

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 08:45.

The Woodland Park Zoo elephants are the zoo's main doo producers. The zoo should thank them for this lucrative "product" that they make a lot of money off of by retiring them to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Otherwise the elephants are likely to begin dying off within the next couple of years since the confined captivity that zoo elephants' endure causes their median lifespans to plummet, resulting in premature death from captivity-related arthritis and chronic diseases such as colic and foot infections. The zoo should transcend its own vested interests to finally act in the elephants' interest.

A wake up call to be humane

Submitted by Alyne Fortgang (not verified) on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:14.

The tragedy at Sea World in Orlando is evidence that wild animals don’t belong in captivity. It is inherently cruel.

The elephants at Woodland Park Zoo are kept 16 – 17 hours a day in a tiny barren barn stall for the entire winter. Deprived of movement, social interaction, and mental stimulation they suffer physically and mentally and will likely die decades before their natural lifespan.
Like humans who are confined, they all display neurotic repetitive behaviors.
It is time to show respect for beings with whom we share the earth. Sending Bamboo, Chai and Watoto to The Elephant Sanctuary is a good start. Visit: freewpzelephants.org

Help Zoo Elephants!!!

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Sat, 02/27/2010 - 21:00.

Why do we continue to keep wild animals in confined captivity? I'm for freeing the Woodland Park Zoo elephants to a sanctuary. C'mon everybody! Let's do it!!!!