New Exhibits at the Alaska Zoo
The Alaska Zoo is always "under construction." They upgrade, expand and improve their structures and enclosures on a regular basis. And, HURRAH! They have completed the multi-year project of rebuilding their marine mammal habitat! There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony this Saturday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. There will be story time and a sketchin' safari in the greenhouse behind the coffee shop from 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM respectively, and enrichment program at 2:00 PM and then "welcome home cake" back at the greenhouse at 2:30 PM.
"Turbo" and "Sally," the river otters, are sure to appreciate their new digs. They have been hanging out in a mostly dry environment for the last few years. Both Turbo (born 1996) and Sally (born 2002) were orphaned in the wild and brought to the zoo. They are sure to go "wild" in their new improved enclosure, as they goof around and rediscover their water-filled environment.
"Chloe," the harbor seal, has been swimming with the fishes at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward during the reconstruction period. She was born in the wild 1994. Orphaned, she would not have survived on her own. She was brought to the zoo and has been a popular attraction there ever since. Welcome home Chloe!
Most recently in the news were some losses. Maggie the elephant moved to California and the last of our 3 Amur Tigers finally passed away (they were well past their life expectancies). Amur Tigers are cold weather animals and did very well in our arctic climate. The Alaska Zoo has announced its intentions to find new Amur Tiger cubs for the zoo.
If you can get to the Zoo on Saturday afternoon for the ribbon cutting for the new and improved marine mammal exhibit and all of the activities that go with it, look for a family of 4. It may very well be mine!
