PORTLAND, Ore. -- While summer does not officially begin until June 21, the Oregon Zoo's summer season moves into high gear May 24. The zoo has an ambitious summer schedule planned, with a sizzling concert lineup, a blockbuster animatronic dinosaur exhibit and a variety of educational and conservation-themed exhibits and programs.

Oregon Zoo

Part of the dinosaur exhibit

The zoo kicks off its opening summer weekend May 24-26 with the PBS "Nature" Zoo Tour 2008, presented by Toyota. Visitors discover how they can help preserve the planet, while celebrating wildlife at the PBS "Nature"/Toyota booth. At the booth, children and adults alike receive temporary animal tattoos and informative PBS "Nature" literature.

The zoo will also unveil its summer exhibit, "Dinosaurs!" presented by Wells Fargo, which takes visitors on a journey through time. Among the 25 animatronic creatures, visitors come face to face with a fierce, 45-foot-long T. rex and a graceful, flying pteranodon. Younger visitors may prefer the slow-moving herbivore species such as brachiosaurus or the several baby dinosaurs and dinosaur egg nests. The outdoor experience runs through Labor Day. Admission is $4 plus regular zoo admission.

Continuing the dinosaur theme, visitors can ride the zoo's 3-D thrill ride, "Dino Island II: Escape From Dino Island." Riders come eye to eye with the threatening T. rex in the feature, produced by SimEx-Iwerks. The ride is $4 in addition to regular zoo admission.

The zoo's railway is celebrating a milestone this summer as the ZooLiner marks its 50th year of service. A celebration to mark the occasion takes place on Saturday, June 14. A train excursion through the dinosaur exhibit costs $5. The Oregon Express and Zooliner will be in service every day all summer.

The dinosaur theme continues as the zoo welcomes back PGE's "Wild Life Live"

show. During 2008, the free-flight show features modern raptors such as hawks, owls, vultures and eagles, highlighting their similarities to prehistoric raptors. The birds display their natural behaviors during the shows, including flying low over the audience, eating carrion and hunting in flight.

Another PGE's "Wild Life Live" show debuts this summer. "Jungle Journey," a newly created performance, features a kinkajou, parrots and other animals from tropical rain forests. Visitors discover how these animals have adapted to life in the forest canopy.

PGE's "Wild Life Live" and "Jungle Journey" shows alternate, and are held on the concert lawn daily at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. During "Meet the All-Stars" at 3:30 p.m., visitors have a chance to see the animals up-close in an informal setting and talk to the handlers. All shows are dependent on fair weather, and no shows take place on "Zoo Beat" concert days. Shows may be limited on "Zoo Tunes" concert days; however, birds will be on display.

The Insect Zoo reopens with a focus on "backyard bugs," and continues last year's "Habitat Begins at Home" theme. The Insect Zoo showcases invertebrates that share our yards and neighborhoods. This hands-on exhibit is staffed by ZooTeens, who are quick to share why they think these bugs are cool, not creepy. The Insect Zoo is open through Labor Day.

At the Trillium Creek Family Farm, children can pet pygora goats, visit with Shetland sheep, rabbits and chickens or work in the vegetable garden.

Demonstrations let visitors learn how to spin or dye wool, or watch how animals are trained. The farm is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Beginning June 14, African pygmy goats are available for petting and grooming at the African Goat Kraal in the Savanna exhibit. The small, lovable creatures are often active and can be seen playing and eating all summer long.

The stars will be out at Steller Cove's tide pool exhibit. Sea stars, crabs and sea cucumbers are among the many creatures visitors can learn more about from ZooTeens stationed here daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. starting June 14. Short talks and hands-on contact with biofacts are part of the tide pool experience.

For visitors interested in getting more information on their favorite animals, keeper talks are presented seven times daily at various exhibits.

At scheduled times, zookeepers provide short presentations and answer questions about the animals in their care, with special crocodile feedings on Saturdays and Sundays.

Garden-lovers can learn from Master Gardeners on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Master Gardeners are on hand to answer questions about backyard habitats, as well as showcase plants that are well suited to Northwest yards and that wildlife find irresistible.

And the popular summer concert series, presented by Fred Meyer and Wells Fargo, will return for its 30th year.