Tag Archives: Little Rock Zoo

BOO AT THE ZOO Adult Preview Tonight; BOO continues Oct 19, 24-31, Nov 1

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7_boobatlogoThe state’s largest Halloween festival returns with the annual Boo at the Zoo.  It runs Sunday, October 19, resumes October 24 – October 31 and concludes with a special Day of the Dead on November 1.  Hours are 6pm to 9pm.

Boo at the Zoo features trick-or-treating in a safe environment along with dozens of rides, activities, and other spooky attractions.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $20 for all-inclusive wristband admission. Wristband admission includes all rides, attractions, and activities free of charge except for food vendors and fortune telling. Zoo members receive a $5 discount on any Boo at the Zoo ticket purchase. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.LittleRockZoo.com/boo or at the Zoo’s front gate.

Tonight is the Boo Preview Adults Only Night

Adults can preview Boo at the Zoo at the adults-only BOO Preview on Thursday, October 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests will “trick-or-treat” for tasty beverages and groove to the tunes of a live cover band.  All attractions and amenities of BOO will be available during Adult Night and guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the costume contest.  Cost is $25 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.littlerockzoo.com/boopreview or by calling (501) 666-2406.

 

Some highlights for this year’s event include:

New Haunted Train – The Haunted Train is back! With the addition of the new Diamond Express Train at the Little Rock Zoo this year Boo at the Zoo will have a spectacular Haunted Train ride appropriate for kids and adults of all ages! This year’s Haunted Train ride will feature a black light tunnel and other fun scenery.

 

“Day of the Dead” Celebration Nov. 1 – For the second year in a row, Boo at the Zoo will open an additional night on Saturday, November 1, for Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world to honor and remember the dead.  The Zoo has partnered with Hola! Arkansas to showcase this special evening, which will showcase customs common to the holiday and will feature salsa dancing lessons at the live music stage.  All the fun of Boo at the Zoo is also included in this special night!

 

Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags for Members & for Sale – BOO goes green by encouraging families to bring their own, reusable trick-or-treat bags and is offering free reusable trick-or-treat bags to each member household as a perk of Zoo membership.  Zoo members can pick-up their bag at the Zoo Member Hospitality Tent located inside the event while supplies last. Regular patrons can purchase a bag for only $2 at tickets booths located inside the event.

 

Other Attractions & Amenities – There’s a lot to do at Boo at the Zoo. So much so that many find it hard to hit every attraction in one night! Below is a list of the attractions and amenities offered at Boo at the Zoo 2014:

  • Bounce Houses – Boo at the Zoo will offer several “bounce house” inflatable playhouses this year for additional tickets.  Ticket prices will vary according to the attraction but those with wristbands are admitted free every time.
  • Criminal Critters – The Zoo’s Education Outreach Department and Docent Volunteers will set-up a fun, interactive experience where children and adults alike can meet live “creatures of the night” such as owls and opossums, and can also learn about animals through a fun, interactive play are where participants guess which animal “did it.” This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Enchanted Forest – The Enchanted Forest walkway near the Zoo’s main entrance is a bewitching pathway that takes guests on a magical garden tour.  Custom animatronic plants make the Zoo’s horticulture come to life after dark! Spooky lights and special effects make this a favorite of Boo and is free with general admission.
  • Frankenstein’s Dance Party – Dr. Frankenstein will bring all the monsters out for a monster bash like no other at Frankenstein’s Dance Party! This fun dance party takes place at the main entry plaza at the Zoo under the “dome” complete with a disco ball, moving lights, and a DJ spinning all the latest family-friendly dance tunes.  Families will also enjoy watching local dance studios perform the famed “Thriller” dance in full costume and enjoy dancing the night away or watching others groove to the tunes! This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Haunted House – The Haunted House is a favorite attraction of BOO and is a great attraction for older children.  The Haunted House is not recommended for children under the age of eight but is great for those wanting a little more fright to their night! This attraction requires tickets for admission.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • Kid’s Carnival Area – A favorite attraction of BOO is the Kid’s Carnival Area featuring fun games kids can play for prizes.  This new attraction has become one of the most popular areas of BOO and is great for kids who don’t like the scarier side of Halloween.  Carnival games take tickets and ticket prices vary according to the game.  All games are included with wristband admission.
  • Live Music – Every night of BOO a live band will perform in the concession courtyard, free to any person attending the event. Highlights of the live music stage are Little Rock’s popular duo Brian and Terri Kinder of KinderSongs, performing Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Big Stack will also perform the night of Adult Night, October 17, and local artists Almost InFamous will perform other nights.
  • Rides – Several rides will help make BOO a scream including a fun slide, swirling tubs of fun, a Ferris wheel, and other fun rides.  Rides take additional tickets and vary in price.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • S ’mores Station & Free Hiland Dairy Milk – Hiland Dairy is back as a BOO sponsor and will be at the s’mores station passing-out free milk.  Orange Scream milk, chocolate milk, and low-fat milk will be offered free of charge to Zoo patrons on behalf of Hiland Dairy. There’s no better way to wash down a s’mores!  S’mores are included with trick-or-treat tickets that are given with general admission or wristband admission.
  • Toy Trick-or-Treat Option – In an effort to lessen the consumption of candy at Halloween, BOO is now offering a toy trick-or-treat option where children can trick-or-treat for toys instead of candy.  Each BOO guest gets six trick-or-treat tickets so some may choose a mixture of candy and toys.  Either way, BOO now offers fun options for the trick-or-treat experience!  Trick-or-treat tickets are provided with both general and wristband admission.
  • Parking & Shuttle Service – Parking during Boo at the Zoo is free and shuttle service will be available throughout War Memorial Park.

 

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

Visit the Little Rock Zoo on Saint Francis Day weekend

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Little-Rock-zoo-logo-4-c-with-tagYesterday, October 4, was officially Saint Francis Day. But most churches commemorate it on the Sunday closest to the Feast Day, which is today.

Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.  As such, many churches have “Blessing of the Animals” services.

While the Little Rock Zoo does not have a “Blessing of the Animals” event, it does provide an opportunity to see and learn about many different types of animals.

No longer a space where animals are kept in tightly confined concrete and steel cages, the focus of the Little Rock Zoo is education about animals and the environment.  This mission is in keeping with Saint Francis’ belief in the importance of animals as part of the larger community.

The Little Rock Zoo has long been one of Arkansas’ great treasures. It all began modestly in 1926, with just two animals — an abandoned timber wolf and a circus-trained brown bear. Today, the Zoo has grown to include nearly 700 animals representing 200+ species, many on the endangered list. The Zoo itself, has become one of the state’s greatest educational and conservation resources.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit http://www.aza.org.

Award winning children’s author Boots Hensel signing copies of JOHARI’S JOY at Little Rock Zoo today

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johari_coverBoots Hensel, an award winning children’s author, will be at the Little Rock Zoo today to sign copies of her latest book Johari’s Joy.

Johari, a lonely black rhinoceros, noticed the other animals with best friends.  He didn’t have a best friend.  A kind zookeeper noticed his dilemma and placed a lonely pig named Joy in his enclosure for companionship. Could this odd couple become friends?  Or is living with a stinky pig more than this rhinoceros can handle?

Hensel will be at the Zoo in conjunction with Rhino Awareness Day.  Copies of her book will be available for purchase.

Hensel’s previous book The Zoopendous Surprise was based on Mary and Ellen, two elephants who used to be at the Little Rock Zoo.  Hensel’s daughter cared for the elephants from 2002 to 2004.

New Penguin Born at Little Rock Zoo

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3rd Chick 4 days old compressedThe Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that an African penguin chick successfully hatched on July 28 and is doing well.

The egg was laid by penguin parents Skipper and Eze, also parents to penguins Gilligan and Bugsy, two chicks previously hatched at the Little Rock Zoo. The chick currently weighs only 700 grams but only weighed 62 grams when it hatched.

Unlike Gilligan and Bugsy, this chick is being hand-raised by keepers because its parents abandoned the egg after it was laid.  Keeper staff successfully incubated the egg in a brooder meant for chicks and are hand feeding it a formula of fish krill.  Initially, the chick was fed every three hours around the clock.  Now, the chick is fed every four hours during the day.

The chick will not be on exhibit until it is old enough to swim on its own. The sex of the chick has not been determined yet and will be determined by a blood test. The chick has not yet been given a name by keeper staff.

This latest addition to the Zoo’s colony of African penguins at the Laura P. Nichols Penguin Ponte exhibit comes at the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the African penguin, a conservation program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The African penguin is an endangered species whose population has declined more than 95% since preindustrial times. The African penguin is threatened by oil spills, overfishing, and climate change.

 

About the Little Rock Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

For more information on Little Rock Zoo, visit www.littlerockzoo.com or call 501-661-7208.

Hiland Dairy Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo today!

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Hiland TigerToday is the annual Hiland Dairy Dollar Day at the Little Rock Zoo. Admissions will be $1 all day long.

Guests can enjoy several special keeper chats and other activities that will go on throughout the day.  The Zoo’s Animal Ambassador Show at the Civitan Amphitheater will happen at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Zoo will also add additional food vendors, security officers, and emergency medical technicians to ensure everyone has a fun and safe day.

Hiland Dairy is an annual sponsor of the Zoo and over the last five years has committed more than $250,000 to the Zoo in the form of cash sponsorships and in-kind product donations.  Formerly Coleman Dairy, Hiland Dairy is proud to sponsor the annual Dollar Day at the Zoo to bring family fun to all Arkansas families.

The Last admission to the Zoo is 4:00 p.m. and the Zoo will close at 5:00 p.m.  The Zoo will also sell Hiland products for only $1 including cold tea and other beverages.

“Hiland Dairy is excited to support one of the state’s largest family attractions, the Little Rock Zoo, and provide a fun day for the families of Arkansas,” said Walt Coleman of Hiland Dairy.

Little Rock Zoo Director Mike Blakely added that the Zoo is excited to host another Hiland Dairy Dollar Day and is looking forward to offering this special discount.

“It is only through the generous financial contribution of Hiland Dairy that the Little Rock Zoo is able to offer this special discount day to the public, and for that, we are very thankful. Hiland Dairy has a strong commitment to the Zoo and wants every Arkansan to experience this family attraction that provides engaging experiences to inspire people to value and conserve our natural world,” said Zoo Director Mike Blakely.

In addition to providing a sponsorship for the discount day, Hiland Dairy has also provide the Zoo with in-kind product donations for Café Africa and for special events at the Zoo, and has also provided free advertising opportunities for the Zoo on its milk cartons.  The annual sponsorship totals more than $50,000 and 2014 marks the fifth year in a row that Hiland Dairy has made this commitment.

Hiland Dairy Dollar Day will run all day on Saturday.  Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. and last admission will be at 4:00 p.m. with the Zoo closing to the public at 5:00 p.m.  The Animal Ambassador Stage will have two shows at 11:00 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. at the Civitan Amphitheater and other special programs are scheduled throughout the Zoo during the day.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

Woo at the Zoo Tonight at 6pm

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6_wooatthezooJoin the Little Rock Zoo for a hysterical look at the world of animal mating at Woo at the Zoo!

Woo at the Zoo is a special tour around the Zoo for adult-only where guests learn all about the strange, interesting, bizarre, and downright hysterical world of animal mating! Did you know that a rhino female in the wild will ram her male mate up to 30 miles per hour to test his strength? You’ll learn this fun fact and more at Woo at the Zoo! This year, Woo at the Zoo has a special stop featuring the Zoo’s new TIGER CUBS!

Special adult beverages and refreshments will be served along the way and the tour will end in Cafe Africa with live music and food and a special silent auction with paintings painted by the Zoo’s animals. All proceeds benefit the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and the American Association of Zookeepers Little Rock Chapter.

Must be at least 21 years of age to attend! Please have photo ID ready to show at front gate entry!

Please remember to wear comfortable shoes – this is a walking tour!

Call (501) 661-7208 for more information or to purchase tickets over the phone. Ticket will be available for purchase online until 3:00 p.m. on June 21, 2014.

Little Rock Look Back: Ark Municipal League 1941 President J. V. Satterfield, Jr.

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SatterfieldThe Arkansas Municipal League is having the 2014 convention and celebrating its 80th anniversary this week here in Little Rock.  The first meeting took place in 1934 at the Hotel Marion.

Each day this week will feature a look at a previous Little Rock leader who led AML.

Mayor J. V. Satterfield, Jr., was the seventh president of the Arkansas Municipal League serving in 1941.  Because he did not seek re-election as Mayor and left office during his tenure as AML leader, he did not serve an entire year in the AML presidency.

J. V. Satterfield was elected to serve as Mayor of Little Rock in 1939 and served one term, until 1941.  He was credited with saving the City from bankruptcy because of his fiscal policies. Among his efficiencies were the creation of a central purchasing office and using grass moved from the airport to feed the Zoo animals.

Though as a private citizen he had voted against the creation of a municipal auditorium in 1937, Mayor Satterfield fought valiantly to ensure that Robinson Auditorium opened to the public once he took office.  Shortly after he became Mayor, it was discovered that there were not sufficient funds to finish the construction. After the federal government refused to put in more money, he was able to negotiate with some of the contractors to arrange for the building to be completed. He also oversaw a successful special election to raise the money to finish the project.

Satterfield was a staunch supporter of the airport and worked to expand it.  He would serve as the chair of the first Municipal Airport Commission.  He also established the Little Rock Housing Authority (on which he would later serve on the board).

Following the outbreak of World War II, Satterfield enlisted in the Army and was given the rank of a Major. He later was promoted to a Colonel and worked in the Pentagon during its early days.

In the late 1940s Satterfield became president of a small Little Rock bank called People’s Bank.  The bank changed its named to First National Bank when it moved into new offices at 3rd and Louisiana in 1953.  Under his leadership it grew into one of the state’s largest banks.

Mayor Satterfield lived in Little Rock until his March 1966 death.