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The largest cat species in the Western Hemisphere found a home here in 2003. The habitat features a cave, a pool for his swimming preferences,and jungle-like terrain that brings the fearsome animal close enough to touch save for the glass enclosure.

In one of the most cherished spots at the zoo you can view two multi-generational gorilla families, cavorting only inches away on the other side of the glass.

View zookeepers groom and feed the Asian elephants several times a day. There are also scheduled demonstrations of elephants performing tasks such as log stacking.

Lions, giraffes, hippos, spotted hyenas, gazelles, wild dogs, white-faced whistling duck, patas monkey, zebras, and Egyptian geese make this city-bound safari one of the largest and most exhilarating places. Observe from an overlook dedicated to guitarist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix.

Take a break from the screech and howls of outdoor wildlife for the dark and silent mysteries of nocturnal creatures. Watch boas, pythons, vampire bats, tomato frogs, blue-tongued skinks, and much more.

Watch falconers send regal winged predators out and back by the Raptor Center. Perched on fence posts, owls and red-tailed hawks may reside calmly in full panoramic view.

This is where to find the deceptively playful-looking grizzly bears. Nearby, packs of gray or white wolves seem haunted, and the extremely threatened river otters dive underwater and re-surface with total abandon.

With intelligence that approaches our own, orangutans are still hilarious to observe. Also view siamangs, native to the island of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

The world’s largest carnivorous lizards can weigh as much as 500 pounds (226 kg) with a length of 9 ft (3 m), and are excellent swimmers. Not recommended for pets, but great for the imagination.

Take the time to appreciate the careful consideration zoo landscapers have given to this human environment. The shrubbery is lush and plentiful, and lends an exotic ambience to the occasion.