Category Archives: Science

Baby Gibbon Born at Little Rock Zoo

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Photo by Karen Caster

The Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that a healthy female gibbon infant was born October 31, 2019.  The proud parents are mother, Paddy, and father, Jeepers.  The pair have had three offspring together and have been together since 2004.

The baby can be seen at the gibbon habitat with her family in the mornings, weather permitting. Mother Paddy carries the baby with her while she’s outside but does often shield the baby from public view by turning her back.

The birth comes at the recommendation of the Gibbon Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program that oversees breeding, transfers, and animal management for gibbons in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited and partner institutions in North America.  Developed to protect gibbons, this SSP Program coordinates species conservation, research, husbandry, management and educational initiatives.

Native to South East Asia, Hylobates lar gibbons are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning there is a very high risk of their extinction in the wild.  Their vulnerability is primarily due to degradation or loss of their forest habitat. Though the number of Hylobates lar gibbons left in the wild is unknown, the Little Rock Zoo works diligently to continue to protect this special animal through expert conservation practices and participation in the Gibbon Species Survival Plan.

FROZEN SCIENCE at the Museum of Discovery today!

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Don’t “Let It Go” when it comes to the opportunity for Frozen Science at the Museum of Discovery.

The fun (and learning – but don’t tell the kids they will actually learn things) is today (December 7) from 10am to 3pm.

Suit up for a wintry science adventure full of icy experiments, liquid nitrogen demos and chilly hands-on activities!

Tickets are included in regular museum admission or free for members. Purchase tickets at the door or online.

Science after Dark: Jingle Booze. Tonight at the Museum of Discovery

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Fa La La La La La La La Cocktails! Join the Museum of Discovery for the final Science after Dark of 2019.

This evening it is a holiday-themed Science After Dark! Be sure to wear your ugly sweaters!

Sponsors Fassler Hall Little Rock will sell food, Stone’s Throw Brewing will sell beer and Rock Town Distillery will sell cocktails.

You must be at least 21 to enter. Tickets are $5 or free for members and can be purchased online or at the door.

Santa to visit Little Rock Zoo Friday for Hometown Holidays

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Santa Claus is coming to town and will be stopping by Hometown Holidays at the Little Rock Zoo on Friday, December 6. This ticketed, special event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in Café Africa. For guests who purchase tickets, this will be a special dinner of delicious offerings of holiday favorites and kid-friendly options.

Along with dinner, the ticket includes live holiday music, holiday crafts, animal meet and greets, and train rides. There will even been gingerbread house-making. Later in the evening, all guests will have their souvenir pictures taken with Santa at the Arkansas Heritage Farm!

Limited to 100 guests, prices for Zoo members are $35 for adults and $30 for children. Ticket prices for non-members are $40 for adults and $35 for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are required for all children, regardless of age, as seating is limited. High chairs and booster seats are available but limited in quantity. Guests are requested to arrive on time and enter through the Safari Trader Gift Shop. Shuttles will be standing by to transport to Café Africa.

To learn more or to purchase tickets click here.

Importance of Levees to the Economy; Update on 2019 Flood at Clinton School noon program

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The Economic Importance of Levees and an update on the Historic 2019 Flood will be the topic of today’s Clinton School program.  It takes place at 12 noon.

Bryan Day, Executive Director of the Port of Little Rock, and Col. Eric M. Noe, District Engineer and Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District will discuss the economic importance of levees and an update on the historic 2019 flood, including an update on port stream bank and dock repairs and the status of levees in the Little Rock District post-flood.

All Clinton School Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or by calling (501) 683-5239.

Paint with the Animals of the Museum of Discovery today from 2pm to 4pm

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Some of the animals living at Museum of Discovery have recently taken up painting as an enrichment activity.  Soon, their paintings will be available for purchase in our Explore Store.  But because watching the animals painting is just as fun as owning one of their masterpieces, they are hosting a painting party for our guests!

During the party you will watch a variety of our animals paint (using a non-toxic tempera paint) and be able to collaborate with them by painting yourself by using objects such as feathers, snake skins and more! You will also be able to take a collaborative art piece home!

All children must be accompanied with an adult.  Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance.  Tickets are $5 for adult and children Museum of Discovery members and $15 for adult non-members and $13 for children non-members (this includes the cost of museum admission.)  Museum members must show proof of membership at the door.