NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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April 17, 2012
| CONTACT: | |
| Cheryl Piropato, Education Director 260-427-6803 Click to E-mail Cheryl |
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| Jim Anderson, Zoo Director 260-427-6800 Click to E-mail Jim |
Zoo Opens April 21
Dingo pups and kangaroo joeys abound; prairie dogs are back
Zoo babies, new animals, and upgraded guest amenities will impress when the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo opens for its 48th season on Saturday, April 21.
The zoo’s dingo puppies have been making headlines since they were born on January 30. The seven pups were born to Mattie and Naya, who were imported from Australia in 2010 and are one of only 75 pairs of pure dingoes worldwide. All seven pups should be in the exhibit for opening weekend; on most days groups of pups and their parents will rotate between the exhibit and a behind-the-scenes pen.
At least seven kangaroo joeys are exploring the Australian Adventure. Born last May or June, the joeys have only recently been out of their mothers’ pouches. All of the joeys were sired by the zoo’s only adult male kangaroo, Mako, who arrived here last March.
After a four-year hiatus, a guest favorite is back: prairie dogs return to the zoo in a new exhibit. These busy and sociable rodents greeted zoo-goers from an exhibit just inside the zoo entrance for more than 40 years, and were displaced when the new zoo entrance, constructed in 2011, was in the planning phase. The new prairie dog colony will reside in the former Egg Walk area. The climb-in eggs from the Egg Walk have moved to the African Village.
An unusual new creature, the northern tree shrew, moved into the Indonesian Rain Forest. Though they look like squirrels, tree shrews are closely related to primates. Look for the tree shrew in Dr. Diversity’s Rain Forest Research Station.
Two male kunekune pigs named Elvis and Pugsley arrived in the Indiana Family Farm. Originating in New Zealand, this breed is small, friendly, and very vocal, making them a perfect fit for this hands-on farm display.
The zoo’s reticulated giraffe herd grew to eight animals with the addition of 2-year-old male giraffe Ezeji, who arrived from the Indianapolis zoo over the winter. Ezeji and Jelani, the herd’s bull giraffe, will take turns on exhibit with the females.
The black-footed penguin and Aldabra giant tortoise exhibits received a facelift this spring. New landscaping, fencing, and signage will enhance the displays to the level of quality guests have come to expect at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
The zoo’s new food service partner, Service Systems Associates, made significant upgrades to the zoo’s concession stands. New offerings include pizza by the slice, whole pizzas, wraps, and salads. In keeping with the zoo’s conservation-minded practices, concessions will use biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils.
“We can’t wait to share the new zoo babies – and all our new features – with our half-million guests in 2012,” says Anderson. “It’s going to be a great season at the zoo!”
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The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 500,000 guests annually. The zoo is consistently named one of the nation’s Top Ten Zoos for Kids by national media outlets.
As a self-supporting facility, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo receives no tax dollars for operations. The zoo’s operations are funded by earned revenue and donations.
The zoo is open April 21—October 14, 2012. Admission is $13.50 for adults; $10.50 for seniors age 60+; and $8.50 for children ages 2-14. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.