Tuesday, April 8, marks National Zoo Lovers Day. For those in and around Greater Philadelphia, there’s no better place to celebrate than the Philadelphia Zoo. Those looking to enjoy and support their local zoo for the holiday will have plenty of ways to do so at America’s first zoo.
‘Wildlife Rescue’
In March, the Philadelphia Zoo unveiled ‘Wildlife Rescue‘—a brand-new, larger-than-life adventure featuring scientifically accurate climbable statues of endangered species, including an Atlantic sturgeon, black-footed ferret, bald eagle, burrowing owl, cane toad, crested gecko, flame-knee tarantula, leatherback sea turtle, northern leopard frog, orangutan, red panda, rusty-patch bumble bee, and a snow leopard.
Learn more about these endangered animals and what it takes to bring them back from the brink of extinction brought to the zoo by Little Ray’s Exhibitions. The 13 statues span the zoo’s 42-acre campus and are open now through Sept. 14.
‘ZOOtopiaries’
The Philadelphia Zoo also announced new towering, three-dimensional mosaic topiaries, designed and fabricated by Santoline Mosaiculture, to be spread throughout the zoo. From 21-foot-tall giraffes weighing 9,400 lbs, fish, a giant snail and more, the new ‘Zootopiaries‘ are set to stun with five animal designs using 22 plant species.
The ‘Zootopiaries’ are part of the Philadelphia Zoo’s spring announcement, which included news of the zoo’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). As PHS continues to work around the famous gardens of the zoo’s grounds, the Topiaries will complement the newly renovated grounds. The ‘Zootopiaries’ are currently being assembled around the zoo grounds and will be fully installed by the end of the month, remaining open through October.
Later this month
The Philadelphia Zoo will have even more to enjoy later this month.
This weekend, the Philadelphia Zoo will hold its annual ‘Zoo-a-thon,’ a two-day fundraising festival supporting animal care, including nutrition, veterinary care, and enrichment. ‘Zoo-a-thon’ will take place on April 11 and 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Remember to keep an eye out for the newest arrivals at the Philadelphia Zoo: four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises. These hatchlings are the first in the zoo’s 150+ year history.
Born to female Mommy and male Abrazzo, two of the zoo’s oldest residents, the hatchlings are currently behind the scenes in the Reptile and Amphibian House and will make their public debut on Wednesday, April 23, the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the zoo.
Finally, on Saturday, April 26, celebrate Holi, the observation of the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love at the Philadelphia Zoo. Forget, forgive, and repair broken relationships in a day of music, dancing, food, and fun featuring artists from Philadelphia’s vibrant Indian American community.
To learn more about the Philadelphia Zoo and its latest exhibits, visit philadelphiazoo.org.
