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Winter Wonderland at the Binghamton Zoo
Media Release
As the winter weather arrives here in Binghamton many people are turning their thoughts toward the holidays. Lights are being brought out from their hiding places and strung on the shrubs and trees in our yards. Candles are being dusted off and readied for that special holiday party and then there are the shopping trips to be planned, family visits to be arranged and so much more. While the Binghamton Zoo has closed for the season, the animals and Zoo staff want to give a special holiday gift to area residents.
The weekend of December 5th to the 7th the Lower Zoo will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland. The holiday event will be open to the public from 5 to 8 pm each night. In addition to the special holiday lights placed throughout the lower zoo area, there will be carolers, storytellers, kids’ crafts, face painting, animal spotlights, games and more. One of the Zoo’s penguins will visit the Wonderland as a special guest star. Winter Wonderland guests will have the opportunity to visit the newly renovated Lion’s Den for a visit to Santa’s workshop and the chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets for the Winter Wonderland are $5 (children under 2 are free).
For more information about the Winter Wonderland event, or other activities at the Zoo during the winter months, call the Zoo office at 607-724-5461 ext. 231 or send an email to psearles@rossparkzoo.com.
Although the Zoo is closed to the public for the winter season the Zoo staff is still busy caring for each of them every day. Even during the cold winter months there is a great deal to be done. Animals need to be fed and cared for, buildings need to be maintained and education programs are still going to area schools. In addition, new exhibits are under construction at the Zoo and should be ready to open in the spring of 2009. If you or your group would like to help with some of the behind the scenes needs at the Zoo, please check out the website at www.rossparkzoo.org
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and the exhibiting of animals in a quality manner. |
Groundbreaking for the Zoo’s Wonders of Nature Exhibit This Thursday
Media Release
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park will officially break ground for the largest new addition in recent memory. This Thursday, November 6 at 11:00am a brief ceremony will be held to start work on the new “Wonders of Nature” exhibit in the lower Zoo. Representatives of the groups that are helping to make this $360,000 project possible will be on hand to take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking. They include The Klee Foundation, Broome County, the Teddy Bear Artists International and Time Warner Cable.
This new exhibit, which is scheduled to be open for the 2009 season, will feature Snow Leopards and Cougars in large outdoor exhibits and various smaller animals in inside exhibits. Among these will be Golden Lion Tamarins, Meerkats, Gila Monsters, Hellbenders and various species of birds, snakes and endangered frogs from around the world.
Although the Zoo is presently closed for the season, the lower Zoo will be open to the public without charge for those wishing to attend this event from 10:30 until noon on Thursday.
For further details about this release please contact Executive Director Mike Janis at 723-5461 ext 223 or Business Manager Amanda Padwa at ext 222.
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and the exhibiting of animals in a quality manner.
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Binghamton Zoo Open Only on Weekends
Media Release
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is getting ready to close down for the winter after a successful 133rd season. We will be open on weekends, weather permitting. As soon as the snow and temperatures fall, we will be closing for good until the 2009 season starts at the beginning of April.
The Zoo will be opening its gates December 5th-7th for the second annual Winter Wonderland. The Lower Zoo will be transformed with light displays, ice sculptures and many holiday decorations. We’ll also have carolers, storytellers, games, crafts and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Starting in November, we will also have ZooSchool taking place on the weekends. We have sessions designed for students from Pre-K to high school in a variety of topics and interests. Discounts are given to Binghamton Zoo members.
For more information on Winter Wonderland or Winter ZooSchool, please check our website www.rossparkzoo.org or call the education Department at 724-5461 ext. 231 or email psearles@rossparkzoo.com.
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and the exhibiting of animals in a quality manner.
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New Binturong Exhibit Opens at the Binghamton Zoo
Media Release
The first new major exhibit in many years will open this Saturday when the Binturong (Asian Bearcat) Exhibit is to be dedicated. This new exhibit has been made possible by a $75,000 donation from the Stewart and Willma Hoyt Foundation and proceeds from the Bothar Construction Golf Tournament along with funds from the Zoo’s Capital Budget. Architectural services were donated by Keystone Architects. This new exhibit is the first step in the development of the Zoo’s recently adopted Master Plan.
This new exhibit includes two large outdoor enclosures with a large building in between that will feature two large glass-fronted exhibits and behind the scenes holding areas. One side of the exhibit will house the Zoo’s Binturongs, which are large members of the Civit family that live in Southeast Asia. They are about four feet long and two feet tall with a long muscular tail. They are grey grizzled and have a very catlike face. Their local name is the Bearcat, which is the inspiration for the team mascot of the Binghamton University. An unusual feature of these animals is that they smell like corn chips.
The other side of the building and outside enclosure is designed to hold Red Pandas which are much endangered in their native Himalayan Mountains. These animals are very difficult to obtain due to their scarcity in captivity but the Zoo is on the list to acquire them. In the interim, the inside exhibit will house a family group of endangered Golden Lion Tamarins and a Sloth. Golden Lion Tamarins are nearly extinct in the Brazilian rain forest and are a part of the international Species Survival Program (SSP). The Binghamton Zoo is a very important part of the endangered species breeding program and has produced several babies.
The dedication of this new addition to the Zoo will take place at 1:30 on Saturday, September 6 at the exhibit next to the Barnyard Contact Area in the Lower Zoo.
Benjamin, the Zoo’s four month old Binturong will be on hand to greet visitors and show off his new home. To celebrate this occasion free ice cream will be served.
For more information about this release, please contact Executive Director, Mike Janis at 724-5461 ext. 223.
The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and the exhibiting of animals in a quality manner. |
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