New Children’s Zoo experience features new species, new and renovated exhibits, domestic petting zoo, and more

News species include giant anteaters, sloths, and the world’s smallest deer

Photo Slideshow: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a8z5lsizwqx7r9o/AAAa51cJELK2sbjux4SBnqDma?dl=0

HD b-Roll Download: Bronx Zoo Children's Zoo B-roll h264.mov

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_MdtdgZb8BU

Bronx, NY – May 30, 2015 – The Children’s Zoo at WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo has undergone a renovation and has officially reopened to the public.

“Originally opened at the Bronx Zoo in 1941, the Children’s Zoo is a historic part of any visit to the Bronx Zoo,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and Bronx Zoo Director. “The Children’s Zoo is an experience people remember from their childhoods and represents many people’s first up-close encounter with wild animals. The new Children’s Zoo maintains the nostalgia from the past while creating new experiences and introducing a variety of different species to the exhibit.”

Species new to the Children’s Zoo include giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), Linne’s Two- toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus), South American coatimundi (Nasua nasua) and the world’s smallest deer: the pudu (Pudu puda). Other wildlife favorites returning to the children’s zoo include American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), and South American squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) which now live on an island habitat surrounded by wading Caribbean flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) and other dabbing waterfowl.

The exhibit improvements are substantial, but maintain the walk-through trail experience and key features such as the aviary, prairie dog tunnels, bird nests, turtle shells, and tree house slide that have become iconic and a source of nostalgia for many.

WCS worked with author/ artist Brendan Wenzel on the new whimsically illustrated interpretive graphics that identify species, provide key facts about the animals, and educate about the species’ conservation needs in the wild.

Canon has generously sponsored the transformation of the Children’s Zoo, including the enhanced animal exhibits, colorful updated graphics, and innovative play experiences.

For more information about the Bronx Zoo’s new Children’s Zoo or the grand re-opening events, visit www.BronxZoo.com.

#NYisWILD: The re-opening of the Children’s Zoo also falls during WCS’s celebration of the 120th anniversary of its founding. Social media-savvy zoo-goers can share their photos of key Children’s Zoo species with the hashtag #NYisWild as part of the 120 Ways NYisWild campaign for a chance to win a trip to Belize. The city-wide photo safari includes Giant Ant-Eater (#29) and Fennec Fox (#66). In addition, the #120 way that NY is Wild includes sharing photos of share their photos of their new and past Children’s Zoo experiences with the hashtags #120 #NyisWild #TBT #bronxzoo. Register at NYisWild.com.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission is $19.95, children (3-12 years old) $12.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $17.95. Parking is $15 for cars and $18 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. VISION: WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in more than 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: www.wcs.org; http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS; http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia  Follow: @thewcs.  

 

Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

Video Credit: © Wildlife Conservation Society

CONTACT:    

Max Pulsinelli - 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org

Steve Fairchild – 718-220-5189; sfairchild@wcs.org

###