~Jack Hanna
Maddie and I have a season pass. The pass costs $95.00 a year. Might seen like a lot, but it's for two adults and two children. It includes all of the entrance fees and percentage off the gift shop and food pavilion. The park rates are as follows: $10.75 per adult and $8.50 per child. For a family of four, that's $38.50 for one visit. Two and a half visits and you pay off your pass. We've been to the zoo at least 7 or 8 times already this year.
Can it really be exciting 8 times? Absolutely. The animals act differently each time we go; there are different programs most weekends (scavenger hunts, make free bird houses, etc...), and, well, it's animals...kids love animals no matter how often they see them (watch a kid jump for joy at the sight of the same squirrel they have seen everyday for the last two months). Every time we visit Maddie acts like it's the first time she has seen the exhibits.
For summer adventures to the zoo, it's important that you know a few things about the LVZoo. First, the best time to go is a weekday morning. It's quiet, and you can visit with the animals with less pushy kids and parents around.
The morning is best. It's not as hot so the animals are often up and around. In the heat of the day, they have often found shelter in their enclosures and sleep. Today's visit was the first time I saw the bobcat up and walking around! In the morning, the lorekeets (beautiful colorful birds) are hungry. You can purchase a cup of nectar for $1 (all proceeds go to the zoo) and feed them. The birds come right down to you, and if they feel up to it, they'll land on you. By late afternoon, they're stuffed and don't want to eat. If you go early enough you can see penguin feeding time at 11AM. If you miss the AM feeding, there is an additional one at 3PM.
The Species Survival Program
The LVZoo participates in the Species Survival Plan. Endangered, threatened, and species of concern are managed and shared across the country to breed and build up population. Every animal in the program has its DNA on record. To prevent inbreeding that can weaken the population, animals are checked against proposed mates to make sure they are not closely related, or related at all. The animals are brought together at one zoo or another, and allowed to mate naturally. The Mexican Gray Wolf wild population (three males are housed at the LVZoo) dwindled to 50 animals (yes, I said only 50). Through the SSP, 11 more wolves have been released into the wild. Slow but sure. When you visit the zoo, you help fund the SSP program.
One of the zoo workers explained how they introduce wolves into the wild when the mommas are not wild themselves. They begin by putting the family in a huge paddock. They feed momma while she nurses. When the little ones are weaned, they introduce live prey into the enclosure. Their wild instincts do kick in, and with live prey, momma does assist in their predator education. Slowly, they increase the size of the prey until it mimics the natural setting. When the wolves successfully bring down prey consistently, the doors to the paddock are left open, and they wander out on their own. If momma has adapted to the hunt, she can leave with them if she chooses. They are tagged and followed to make sure they are doing well. Pretty neat.
The list of LVZoo animals that participate in the program are: Kordofan Aoudad, Bobcat, West African Black Crowned Crane, Red Kangaroo, Laughing Kookaburra, Mongoose Lemur, Canada Lynx, Scimitar Horned Oryx, North American River Otter, Snowy Owl, African Penguin, Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine, Trumpeter Swan, Tammar Wallaby, Mexican Gray Wolf, and Plains Zebra.
Lunch
The zoo offers an outdoor cafe with typical food such as hot dogs and hamburgers. The nice thing about the zoo is that they are perfectly happy if you bring your own food. Pack a picnic lunch, and eat it in the pavilion, any number of picnic tables in the park, or down by the stream crossing. *Note: Please make sure you do not bring straws, and plastic bits. Use bottled water or a thermos instead of Capri Suns or juice boxes. If you drop the straw or a bit of the plastic, animals could eat them. They could become seriously injured or die. Instead of disposable items, opt for green items that do not create trash and can be taken back home, such as plastic sandwich keepers instead of ziploc baggies.
Interactive Exhibits
The zoo offers hands on exhibits as well. There is a goat petting zoo where you can feed them from the outside of the pen, and then go inside to brush them.
When big daddy is in a good mood, you can go inside the red kangaroo paddock and walk the path. Sometimes big daddy comes up to the rope. You can't pet him, of course, but it's neat to see a kanga that close. Don't worry...the handler is always there.
Almost consistently throughout the day, volunteers and employees offer information, lectures, and "please touch me" furs, skeletons, shells, and eggs.
The Stream Crossing
But wait! Even when you're finished with the zoo, you aren't finished with the game land area. When you exit the zoo, you will cross a small water bridge. You can stop your car and get out. There are tadpoles to catch, rocks to skip, and water to splash. We can spend over an hour right here, and it's completely free.
After you finish playing in the stream, make sure to drive very slowly throughout the rest of the park. In the preserve area you will be able to see Plains Bison (not buffalo...), and large elk. You can pull over, take pictures, and just watch them for a while. It's a nice way to end the day.
Please hop over to the zoo website:
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