News and Stories

Lots to See and Do at the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

CINCINNATI (May 25, 2012) — Come on out to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo, this Saturday, May 26,  and help the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden kick off its 2012 summer season!  This summer, visitors will enjoy a variety of energetic shows and attractions throughout the park, in addition to the Zoo’s recently opened Galapagos tortoise exhibit and new Cat Canyon exhibit – opening June 30!  See birds soar overhead at the Great American Wings of Wonder Bird Show and cheetahs race at top speeds at the Cheetah Encounter.  Guests can also experience the adventure of summer at the Zoo while hand-feeding Maasai giraffes at Giraffe Ridge, feeding Lorikeets at Lorikeet Landing, watching elephants take a bath and meeting animals during encounters throughout the park.  Starting Saturday, May 26, the Zoo will also stay open one hour later, until 6 p.m. daily.

The Great American Wings of Wonder Bird Show features more than 20 different species of birds and mammals.  Watch birds fly, call, mimic and even outsmart their trainers!  Experience the bird show every week, Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  See the fastest felines in the world from the internationally-known Cat Ambassador Program, including the brother coalition, “Bravo” and “Chance” and the world land-speed record holder, “Sarah,” racing at top speeds.  Cheetah Encounter takes place Friday through Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Noon.

Visitors can hand feed giraffes at Giraffe Ridge daily at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and meet our baby camel “Bogart” in Wildlife Canyon.  At Lorikeet Landing, an open-air aviary filled with hundreds of lorikeets and parakeets, guests can hand feed throughout the day and elephant baths take place daily at 10:30 a.m., with elephant talks later in the day. Daily, at 1:15 p.m., guests can also pet our seven giant Galapagos tortoises in their new home just outside the historic Reptile House.

Visitors also get close to the action as keepers share fascinating behind the scenes information and stories about the animals during special Animal Encounters at various times throughout the park.  For a complete list of Animal Encounter locations, times and days, please visit www.cincinnatizoo.org.

Cat Canyon, set to open June 30, will allow visitors to see the Zoo’s big cats closer than ever before.  One of the highlights will feature a new viewing area offering an opportunity to stand eye-to-eye with Malayan tigers, with just an inch of glass in between.  In addition to Malayan tigers, Cat Canyon will also be home to white tigers and snow leopards in immersive exhibits that showcase the majesty and grace of these amazing cats.  With two new viewing areas overlooking three new outdoor exhibits, waterfalls, new rock work, a wooden bridge, eye-to-eye viewing panes and lush play spaces for the animals, this exhibit promises to be exciting for young and old alike.

Summer season begins this Saturday, May 26, with the opening of the Zoo’s Animal Encounters.